Supply limited for life saving drug

"It's basically a way to protect my organs from my own immune system," Breland explained. "It somehow is able to communicate with my immune system to kind of tell it to chill-out. You know, my kidneys are needed, my lungs are needed and we don't attack healthy tissue," added Breland.

Breland has Lupus, an autoimmune disease for which there is no cure. Plaquenil, a brand name for Hydroxychloroquine, helps her get through the day.

"It just overall improves my quality of life. Without Plaquenil, I wouldn't be able to be as active as I am. I wouldn't be as healthy as I am," said Breland.

But Plaquenil is also touted by some as an answer to the coronavirus. Breland is afraid some may hoard the drug or get a prescription when it's not needed, and create a short supply of the life-saving medication.

Some pharmacies are already having trouble keeping the drug in stock. Dr. Amanda Moore is a pharmacist for the Division of Public Health. With the addition of COVID-19, she says the drug is being stretched thin. "There's much more demand than the supply was meant for," said Dr. Moore.

To alleviate the the strain on Hydroxychloroquine supplies created by the COVID-19 demand, the state received nearly a million pills from the nation's strategic reserve on Monday. Those pills will be used in hospitals and nursing homes when needed for the coronavirus.

"So it will free up the supply chain to make it available for those with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or anyone who is taking it for a chronic condition," said Dr. Moore.

In the meantime, people like Breland will have to wait and see what happens.

"As of right now, I have enough medication to last me through the end of April. But when I come to refill, I'm just a little concerned that there's going to be a shortage," said Breland.