Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (all R-Monmouth) issued a statement today calling on the Governor to rescind restrictions he placed on the ability of doctors to prescribe hydroxychloroquine (HCQ):

“Ultimately, in decisions regarding healthcare treatment it should be healthcare experts and doctors who make those decisions, not elected officials. We have a duty to listen to the experts, and the experts are asking us for the ability to administer HCQ as a preventative measure in the battle against COVID-19.”

“There have been recent clinical trials performed by renowned epidemiologists which have shown high success rates with little to no negative effects. This is no longer anecdotal. Our healthcare experts are requesting this, including the New Jersey Doctor-Patient Alliance, which represents 350 New Jersey doctors.”

“Our healthcare workers are actually on the front lines and if they request to use hydroxychloroquine to help our patients suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, they should be able to! Elected officials, whether they be at the state or federal level, should not interfere, especially when they are not medical professionals. We call on the Governor to pull back these restrictions on prescribing hydroxychloroquine and to listen to the experts who should be making these medical decisions.”