Doctors and dentists are being urged against ‘unprecedented’ prescribing of the rarely used antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine to their families for COVID-19 as concern mounts that supplies could run dry.

Pharmacists are being told by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to refuse to dispense the drug outside of its approved indications for malaria and rheumatoid conditions.

In an open letter to doctors, the PSA has warned against reckless prescribing for themselves or family members on the back of research suggesting the drug may be effective against the coronavirus.

“If this medication does indeed have the efficacy that we would desire against COVID-19, then it needs to be prescribed and used judiciously,” PSA president Associate Professor Chris Freeman wrote.