Challenges and Reflections on Pandemic Disinformation: The Case of Hydroxychloroquine and the Implications for Global Public Health

Abstract

This text addresses the implications of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and other drugs based on a specific publication. The article titled “Deaths induced by compassionate use of hydroxychloroquine during the first COVID-19 wave: an estimate,” published in 2024 in the journal Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, reveals 17 000 deaths associated with the inappropriate use of HCQ in 6 countries, excluding Brazil and India. The dissemination of ineffective drugs, the persistence in recommending HCQ in Brazil, and the lack of an effective response from academia underscore the fragility of public health systems under pressure. Transparent communication between the scientific community and the public is vital, particularly considering studies, such as the one published in Nature Communications in 2021, which warns of the risks of chloroquine. The text highlights the influence of social media in spreading unverified information and emphasizes the need for criminal liability for those contributing to the spread of misinformation. It concludes by underlining the importance of learning from past mistakes to build a more resilient and informed future in the field of public health.