WHO rules out hydroxychloroquine as effective treatment for COVID-19

The World Health Organization just removed hydroxychloroquine from the world-wide collaborative Solidarity Trial.

The trial, which Canada is involved in, aims to find an effective COVID-19 treatment.

According to a statement sent by the WHO, the trial’s Executive Group and principal investigators made the decision based on evidence from the Solidarity Trial, UK’s Recovery trial, and a Cochrane review of other evidence on hydroxychloroquine.

The data from all three sources concluded that hydroxychloroquine does not result in the reduction of mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared with standard of care.

The release notes the decision applies only to the Solidarity Trial and does not apply to the drug’s possible use as a preventative measure.