White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said he believes hydroxychloroquine was an effective early COVID-19 treatment and accused former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci of helping prevent its widespread distribution during the pandemic.
Navarro made the remarks while reflecting on disagreements he said he had with Fauci during the Trump administration’s response to COVID-19.
He began by acknowledging that many people remain skeptical of the medication.
“Is hydroxychloroquine? I would guess, not knowing your views on this, that you think hydroxychloroquine is is a quack medicine.”
Navarro then explained why he disagrees with that assessment.
“But let me tell you this: this is one of the many fights I had with Tony Fauci.”
According to Navarro, later research has reinforced his view of the drug’s safety and usefulness.
“Hydroxychloroquine, we now know going forward with all the studies, is number one, it’s a very safe medicine.”
He also argued that the medication has value as a preventive treatment.
“Number two, it’s particularly effective for prophylaxis, which which helps first responders.”
Navarro added that he believes the drug can provide benefits when administered early in the course of an infection.
“And number three, it has a it has a decent benefit in the first seven days of an infection.”
Navarro said the Trump administration had already acquired a large supply of the medication that he intended to distribute nationwide.
“So, I had a million tablets of hydroxy sitting in warehouses, ready to be dispensed to the American people.”
He argued that the medication could have saved many lives if distribution had moved forward.
“And I take this to the bank peers. If I had been able to do that, 1000’s of Americans would be alive.”
Navarro then explained why he believes the medication was never broadly distributed.
“Now, where does Fauci come into this?” And this is where the blame is.”
According to Navarro, Fauci initially supported the use of hydroxychloroquine during the early weeks of the pandemic.
“In March of 2020, Fauci, in his diary, several diary entries is on record saying that hydroxychloroquine is very very safe.”
Navarro said Fauci initially favored making the drug widely available.
“He wanted it distributed immediately.”
Navarro contrasted that with Fauci’s position on remdesivir.
“He wanted remdesivir to be to go through trials, not the other way around. And he was all for it.”
Navarro argued that Fauci’s position changed after President Donald Trump publicly endorsed hydroxychloroquine.
“The politics changed radically when President Trump said, ‘Hey, let’s try hydroxychloroquine.’ There was like a this just mass insanity in the left wing media.”
Navarro said Fauci changed his position as public debate intensified.
“Fauci flipped with that.”
He also alleged Fauci influenced federal regulators to prevent broader distribution of the medication.
“And he was part of the pressure on the FDA to prevent this administration and me specifically from able being able to do what I did.”
Navarro said he continues to hold Fauci responsible for what he believes was a missed opportunity during the pandemic.
“So when you ask me, do I give any slack to Tony Fauci? I say, absolutely not.”
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