The World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday it’s stopping an arm of a clinical trial that was analyzing hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19.
A review of other evidence on hydroxychloroquine also informed the decision, WHO said in a statement.
The data “showed that hydroxychloroquine does not result in the reduction of mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, when compared with standard of care,” it said.
No further patients will be enrolled in the trial arm but patients who already started taking hydroxychloroquine and haven’t finished their treatment course can complete their course if they want.
Hydroxychloroquine was approved decades ago for use in multiple countries for ailments including malaria.
Like most studies and trials involving the drug, it was analyzed without combining it with azithromycin, an antibiotic, and zinc, a combination experts have told The Epoch Times is crucial to effectiveness against COVID-19.
Major clinical trials in the United States analyzing hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness and safety are ongoing.