Prognosis

Hydroxychloroquine Halted in WHO-Sponsored Covid-19 Trials

  • Anti-malaria drug fails to show ability to reduce Covid deaths
  • Independent committee made decision to suspend trial arm
Watch: Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo, a WHO medical officer, says researchers decided to halt the hydroxychloroquine portion of a trial of potential Covid-19 treatments.(Source: Bloomberg)
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Tests of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug touted by U.S. President Donald Trump, were halted in a World Health Organization trial of potential Covid-19 treatments.

The hydroxychloroquine arm of the WHO’s Solidarity trial was stopped after advisers concluded that the drug shows no benefit compared to the standard of care in reducing deaths, Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo, a WHO medical officer, said Wednesday at a briefing in Geneva.