WHO suspends trials of ‘Trump drug’ on COVID-19 patients

Geneva: The World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a clinical trial of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients came to “a temporary pause” while the safety data is reviewed by the Data Safety Monitoring Board. According to the WHO chief, the medical journal The Lancet has on Friday published an observational study on hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine and its effects on COVID-19 patients that have been hospitalised.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is taking the drug to ward off the virus. The US President has repeatedly promoted the anti-malarial drug, against medical advice and despite warnings from public health officials that it could cause heart problems.

The authors of the study reported that among patients receiving the drug, when used alone or with a macrolide, they estimated a higher mortality rate.

“The Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial, representing 10 of the participating countries, met on Saturday and has agreed to review a comprehensive analysis and critical appraisal of all evidence available globally,” Mr Tedros told a virtual press conference.

The review will consider data collected so far in the Solidarity Trial and in particular robust randomised available data, to adequately evaluate the potential benefits and harms from this drug, he said.

WHO initiated the Solidarity Trial, a plan to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four drugs and drug combinations against COVID-19 more than two months ago, which include hydroxychloroquine.