Sanofi has fielded requests for the drug, which is also used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, from countries all over the world, Hudson said.
He added that Sanofi is working with other companies to make sure the supply of HCQ is as broad as possible.
“We just tried to coordinate a little bit to say to companies, ‘Let’s all not end up supplying the same market. Let’s make sure that everybody has a chance that needs it,'” Hudson says. If one area is well supplied, he added, “then we’re happy to help somewhere else.”
There is still much to learn about who is most likely to be helped by the drug and at what dose before companies can accurately estimate supply demand if the treatment proves effective.
“It’s important to know whether you would give it to mild patients or severe patients,” Hudson explains. “The sheer volume difference in those patients is significant.”