True to form, Bolsonaro backs chloroquine despite lack of scientific evidence

Addressing the nation on Wednesday evening, President Jair Bolsonaro once again touted the potential of anti-malaria drug chloroquine as a potential cure for Covid-19. Referencing a conversation he had with cardiologist Roberto Kalil who took the medication after contracting the coronavirus, the president said this decision “could go down in history as having saved thousands of lives in Brazil.”

The problem, however, is that there is not enough robust scientific evidence to prove hydroxychloroquine is effective against Covid-19. Dr. Kalil’s physician later told the press that he prescribed a number of other medications to his patient, including painkiller metamizole. “Who is to say that didn’t cure his Covid-19?” he remarked.

In a tense meeting with President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday, Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta refused to sign a decree that would allow medical workers to self-prescribe hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19. 

Mr. Mandetta’s view on the drug is one of his main points of contention with President Bolsonaro, who has a long history of championing policies that fly in the face of scientific evidence. In 2016, years before he was considered a viable presidential candidate, then-Congressman Bolsonaro gained national attention while promoting a bill to legalize an unproven cancer treatment known simply as “the cancer pill.”

Chloroquine, and its less toxic derivative hydroxychloroquine, have traditionally been used to treat malaria and autoimmune diseases such as severe arthritis and lupus. Following positive comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, Mr....