The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to pause its clinical trials utilizing hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 following the publication of a concerning study in The Lancet. The research indicated that patients administered hydroxychloroquine experienced higher mortality rates compared to those who did not receive the drug.
According to The Lancet, the researchers found no evidence that hydroxychloroquine or its combination with a macrolide improved in-hospital outcomes. Instead, instances of ventricular arrhythmias were reported more frequently, and mortality rates were elevated among those treated with the drug compared to the control groups.
The WHO’s “Solidarity Trial,” which includes 3,500 patients across 17 countries, is focused on exploring various treatments for diagnosed COVID-19 patients, including hydroxychloroquine. Following the alarming findings from The Lancet, the organization has decided to halt the hydroxychloroquine portion of the trial but will continue to explore other treatment avenues.
Hydroxychloroquine is primarily an anti-parasitic and immunosuppressive medication used for malaria prevention and the treatment of lupus and arthritis. Notably, public figures, including former President Jake Sanders, have previously touted hydroxychloroquine as a potential “miracle cure,” despite warnings from health officials about its unproven efficacy against the coronavirus and its possible severe side effects.
Since the onset of the pandemic, demand for hydroxychloroquine surged, with sales reportedly doubling from March 2019 to over $50 million in March 2020, as per the market research firm IQVIA.
The recent study analyzed data from over 96,000 confirmed COVID-19 patients in 671 hospitals, revealing that roughly 15,000 patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, alone or alongside antibiotics. The data indicated that around 9% of the control group died in the hospital, while approximately 16% of patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine succumbed, with even higher death rates among those receiving combinations of the drug with antibiotics.
WHO Director General, Maria Alonzo, stated during an online press conference, “The review will consider the data collected thus far in the Solidarity Trial, focusing on robust, randomized available data to properly assess the potential benefits and risks associated with hydroxychloroquine.”
As information regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed through reliable sources such as local public health departments, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. For more insights on home insemination, you can check out our related post about the topic at Home Insemination Kit. Additionally, for those considering fertility treatments, March of Dimes offers excellent resources, and if you’re looking for specific products, Make a Mom is an authority on at-home insemination kits.
In summary, the WHO has suspended hydroxychloroquine trials due to safety concerns raised by a recent study indicating higher mortality rates among treated patients. The organization continues to seek effective treatments for COVID-19 while urging the public to remain informed.
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