Yesterday, the World Health Organization announced that it was dropping the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine from its massive study investigating treatments for novel coronavirus after available data indicated that the drug wasn't effective for the viral disease.
Ana Maria Restrepo, head of the organization's research and development department, told the media that WHO's decision to end hydroxychloroquine portion of the multi-arm Solidarity Trial came after data from the trial and another study suggested it wouldn't be beneficial. The studies showed the drug didn't reduce mortality in COVID-19 compared to standard care.
She further said: “The decision was made to stop the randomization with the hydroxychloroquine trial. Earlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also announced that it was revoking its emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine after concluding that these drugs were "unlikely to be effective" against novel coronavirus.
Patients who were already enrolled and were in the midst of their hydroxychloroquine regimen can complete their course or stop."
FDA notice further said:
"In light of ongoing serious cardiac adverse events and other serious side effects, the known and potential benefits of CQ and HCQ no longer outweigh the known and potential risks for the authorized use."
Another study published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine also found that HCQ was no better than a placebo in preventing coronavirus infections.
Remember that hydroxychloroquine is the same drug that US President Trump had been touting as a potential treatment for COVID-19 since April. Soon after, global hoarding of the drug began and people also started taking it without prescription. Doctors advised against using HCQ without prescription due to its several side effects.
Multiple trials had been underway trying the anti-malarial drug as a potential treatment of the viral disease. Reliable studies showing HCQ isn't effective against COVID is a big blow to scientists' hopes of finding a cure to this deadly disease.
