COVID-19: WHO Suspends Clinical Trial of Hydroxychloroquine, Carries Out Safety Evaluations
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has put on hold clinical trial on the possibility of using Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of coronavirus pandemic on claims that the drugs are causing increase in mortality rate in patients.
Director General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, who disclosed this during a virtual meeting Monday to mark Africa Day, explained that this has become necessary for the body to evaluate the safety issues of the drugs.
Ghebreyesus said reports reaching WHO have indicated high mortality rate among users of the drugs.
“As you know, more than two months ago, we initiated the Solidarity Trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four drugs and drug combinations against COVID-19.
“Over 400 hospitals in 35 countries are actively recruiting patients and nearly 3,500 patients have been enrolled in 17 countries. But on Friday, The Lancet published an observational study on Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine and its effects on COVID-19 patients that have been hospitalised.
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded 229 new cases of the virus Monday, bringing the total to 8,068, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Director General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, who disclosed this during a virtual meeting Monday to mark Africa Day, explained that this has become necessary for the body to evaluate the safety issues of the drugs.
Ghebreyesus said reports reaching WHO have indicated high mortality rate among users of the drugs.
“As you know, more than two months ago, we initiated the Solidarity Trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four drugs and drug combinations against COVID-19.
“Over 400 hospitals in 35 countries are actively recruiting patients and nearly 3,500 patients have been enrolled in 17 countries. But on Friday, The Lancet published an observational study on Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine and its effects on COVID-19 patients that have been hospitalised.
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded 229 new cases of the virus Monday, bringing the total to 8,068, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
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