WHO discontinues Hydroxychloroquine Trial for Hospitalized Patients

The World Health Organization (WHO) has halted a trial which employed the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The Solidarity Trial was established by WHO to find an effective COVID-19 treatment for hospitalized patients.

However, the WHO in a statement on July 4 said it had “accepted the recommendation from the Solidarity Trial’s International Steering Committee to discontinue the trial’s hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir”.

The decision came after interim trial results showed that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care.

“The International Steering Committee formulated the recommendation in light of the evidence for hydroxychloroquine vs standard-of-care and for lopinavir/ritonavir vs standard-of-care from the Solidarity trial interim results, and from a review of the evidence from all trials presented at the 1-2 July WHO Summit on COVID-19 research and innovation,” the statement said.

“These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect”.

Source: Daily Graphic