WHO Stops Hydroxychloroquine Coronavirus Trials: How the 'Game Changer' Turned Into Possible Danger

The World Health Organization called for temporarily stopping trials on the antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine after numerous global experiments deemed it unsafe and potentially causing deaths.

According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director-general, due to the results of a recent study, they would pause hydroxychloroquine trials to prevent further harm to patients. The paper published in the medical journal, The Lancet, showed people taking the drug were put at a higher risk for heart complications and even death.

On Monday, Tedros said that they would impose the temporary halt of hydroxychloroquine trials while the data safety monitoring board reviewed and evaluated the drug's safety.

He added that the usage of the drug for patients with malaria and auto-immune diseases were still permitted. Furthermore, they claim only to halt the usage of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for treating COVID-19.

https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/25802/20200525/who-stops-hydroxychloroquine-coronavirus-trials-game-changer-turned-possible-danger.htm