Algeria to continue with HCQ treatment for Covid

Algeria will continue to use the drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) against the novel coronavirus, a member of its scientific committee said, despite the World Health Organisation suspending clinical trials of such treatments. “We’ve treated thousands of cases with this medicine, very successfully so far,” said Mohamed Bekkat, a member of the scientific committee on the North African country’s Covid-19 outbreak. “We haven’t noted any undesirable reactions,” he said. Public figures including US President Donald Trump have backed the drug as a virus treatment, prompting governments to bulk buy — despite several studies showing it to be ineffective and even increasing Covid-19 hospital deaths. —