SF 4484

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 04/24/2020 07:54am

A Senate resolution
memorializing the President and Congress to direct the United States Food and Drug
Administration to approve off-label use of certain medications to combat COVID-19.

WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2;
and

WHEREAS, the number of cases of COVID-19 being reported in the United States is
increasing, reflecting the rapid spread of the disease; and

WHEREAS, the duration and severity of the symptoms of COVID-19 vary, ranging from
very mild to severe, including death; and

WHEREAS, currently there are no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the United States
Food and Drug Administration to treat COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, currently there are no vaccines available for COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, there have been multiple reports that the off-label use of hydroxychloroquine
with azithromycin to treat COVID-19 results in milder symptoms and quicker recoveries, and in
some cases has prevented death; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the legislature of the state of Minnesota that it urges the President
and Congress of the United States to direct the United States Food and Drug Administration to
expedite the approval and permit the off-label use of hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, ivermectin,
remdesivir, and other medications that show promise in combating COVID-19 by patients who
have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare copies
of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States, the President and Secretary
of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives,
the chair of the United States Senate Committee on Finance, the chair of the United States House
Committee on Ways and Means, and Minnesota's senators and representatives in Congress.