Washington D.C, May 19: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday criticized President Donald Trump for taking hydroxychloroquine--an anti-malarial drug which is believed to be helpful in keeping away from coronavirus infection but has not been approved by scientists, adding that he is "morbidly obese" and at risk for negative health effects.

"I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group, and in his, shall we say, weight group: 'Morbidly obese,' they say," says Pelosi told at CNN's Anderson Cooper 360° on Trump's revelation he is taking hydroxychloroquine. Donald Trump Threatens to Permanently Freeze US Funding to WHO And Withdraw Country's Membership From World Health Organisation.

Even the US Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health have not approved the consumption of the anti-malarial drug without any approval by medical practitioners. According to reports, the drug is rather leading to a significant increase in death rates in the United States.

"He's our president and I rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and his -- shall we say weight group -- morbidly obese, they say. I think it's not a good idea," she said further.

Trump disclosed earlier on Monday that he has been taking daily doses of hydroxychloroquine for a week and a half after being prescribed by his personal physician, Sean P. Conley, said in a White House press release that he and the president think taking the drug is worth the possible harmful side effects.

The admission was a dramatic development in Trump's attempts to promote hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus, which began earlier in the outbreak and has been met with resistance from medical professionals, CNN reported. Donald Trump Takes Hydroxychloroquine Despite FDA Warning, US President Informs He is Taking the Pill Along With Zinc.

But even some of Trump's closest medical advisers expressed caution, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, who voiced skepticism about touting hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus before it could be adequately tested.