In the latest executive order by the governor, only Arizonans with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and a doctor's prescription can legally get their hands on the drug hydroxychloroquine — and even then only 14 doses at a time.

The drug has become increasingly scarce since President Donald Trump prematurely touted the anti-malaria drug's use in combating the coronavirus. A small study out of China has shown it may be effective in reducing severe symptoms in patients.

To alleviate supply and demand, Patrick Ptak with the Governor's Office confirms the directive also allows pharmacists to accept drugs from manufacturers in other countries without pre-approval.

"We want to make sure that Arizonans have all the access to the medications that they need," Ptak said. "This is something that is done in many other states, what I would consider a best practice for times like this."

To that end, the governor has also directed the state Board of Pharmacy allow druggists to issue 90-day refills for emergency medications to patients without a written prescription.

Pain prescriptions for narcotics like oxycodone, codeine and fentanyl still need a doctor's order for each refill.

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