Clinical trials for the hydroxychloroquine malaria drug in COVID-19 patients have been suspended due to some safety concerns from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Current studies by The lancet The study, released on Friday, May 22, had shown higher mortality rates in patients taking the drug, hence the suspension of the drug in the WHO solidarity study. The study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four other medicines for the virus.
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WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told The Daily Mail: “As part of the solidarity study, the executive group has introduced a temporary pause in the hydroxychloroquine arm while security data is being reviewed by the data security monitoring body. However, other parts of the study will continue, including testing of the experimental drug remdesivir and combination HIV therapy. “
Dr. Tedros also said the concern concerns the use of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in COVID-19. He reiterated that these drugs are generally recognized as safe for use in patients with malaria or autoimmune diseases. WHO will provide updates as it continues its research.
The organization also recommended that the drug not be used to prevent and treat coronavirus infections, with the exception of clinical trials. Dr. Mike Ryan, head of the WHO emergency program, said the decision to stay the lawsuit was made with caution.
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In the UK, the main studies looked at hydroxychloroquine in patients between the ages of 50 and 64 who had symptoms of COVID-19 and chronic conditions such as cancer, asthma or heart disease. However, it is still unclear how many participants have registered. The process will continue until March next year.
The study from Madielle, France, treated about 30 patients with hydroxychloroquine in combination with azithromycin for at least 10 days.
President Trump used it on social media on March 21 to express his thoughts: “HYDROXYCHLOROQUIN & AZITHROMYCIN together have a real chance to be one of the greatest pioneers in the history of medicine. The FDA has moved mountains – thanks! Hopefully they will BOTH (H works better with A, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents). “
Although it is very small, the study showed a significant reduction in virus transport after six days of treatment compared to some patients who received other types of treatments. Weeks later, the International Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC) issued a statement addressing some research concerns.
The study’s authors have suggested to the public not to use hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients who are outside of clinical trials until further studies by experts confirm its safety and efficiency.
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