COVID-19 brings divisions on hydroxychloroquine, reopening

Welcome to the FiercePharma political roundup, where each Monday we’ll highlight developments in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere that could affect drug pricing and how drugmakers operate. As the pandemic plays out, political divisions have unfolded around hydroxychloroquine and reopening economies, for starters. At center stage last week was a House hearing over ousted Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Director Rick Bright’s whistleblower complaint. While the hearing spanned numerous subjects relating to the U.S.' COVID-19 response, lawmakers and Bright spent considerable time discussing hydroxychloroquine. President Donald Trump backed the drug as a "game changer," but so far, hydroxychloroquine hasn't succeeded in any any large controlled studies.