The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday announced that it will resume the clinical trial of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for treatment of covid-19, a week after it suspended the trial pending review of its effectiveness.
“On the basis of the available mortality data, the members of the committee recommended that there are no reasons to modify the trial protocol. The Executive Group received this recommendation and endorsed the continuation of all arms of the Solidarity Trial, including hydroxychloroquine,” WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said
“Last week the Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial decided to implement a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm of the trial, because of concerns raised about the safety of the drug,” the WHO director said.
“This decision was taken as a precaution while the safety data were reviewed,” he said.
“The Data Safety and Monitoring Committee of the Solidarity Trial has been reviewing the data,” Ghebreyesus said.
He further said, “The Data Safety and Monitoring Committee will continue to closely monitor the safety of all therapeutics being tested in the Solidarity Trial.”
US President Donald Trump have backed the drug for coronavirus prevention and treatment.
On May 25, WHO said it had temporary ‘paused’ the clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients citing safety reasons.
