The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced to resume the trials for anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine for its effectiveness against the novel coronavirus.
“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.
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 global pandemic. 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.
