WHO has decided to resume the trials for anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine. They were suspended last week because of concerns raised about the safety of the drug.
World Health Organization to resume hydroxychloroquine trial
Anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine will be once again tested for its effectiveness against the novel coronavirus as the World Health Organization has decided to resume its trials under the Solidarity Trials. last week, the WHO had suspended the trials for hydroxychloroquine as concerns were raised about the safety of the drug.
“This decision was taken as a precaution while the safety data were reviewed,” Director-General of WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed on Twitter. However, he said, that the data reviewed by the concerned body has revealed that there is no need to halt or modify the trials.
“The Data Safety and Monitoring Committee of the Solidarity Trial has been reviewing the data. On the basis of the available mortality data, the members of the committee recommended that there are no reasons to modify the trial protocol,” Tedros said.
“The Executive Group received this recommendation and endorsed the continuation of all arms of the Solidarity Trial, including hydroxychloroquine,” he said.
The Executive Group will communicate with the principal investigators in the trial about resuming the hydroxychloroquine arm of the trial.
Hydroxychloroquine is commonly used against vector-borne disease malaria and is available in abundance in India. The doctors have recommended it as preventive medicine against the effects of Covid-19. Although none of the studies have proven its effects yet, healthcare workers at the frontline of the Covid-19 battle in India are being given this medicine to mitigate possible transmission.
