Characteristics of US Patients and Prescribers Using Hydroxychloroquine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Following President Trump’s March 2020 promotion of hydroxychloroquine, weekly new users increased 2.9-fold, with the largest spike immediately after his first endorsement. 51.4% of pandemic-period prescriptions came from clinicians with no prior hydroxychloroquine prescribing history. The surge was disproportionately concentrated among men, Asian Americans, and Northeastern states, and use remained 1.7 times above pre-pandemic levels even after the FDA revoked its Emergency Use Authorization in June 2020.