UK Stops Clinical Trial of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) For Treatment Against COVID-19, Calling HCQ Is “Useless” As India Continues Widespread Use of HCQ To Combat COVID-19

An ongoing randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) to test the role of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 was prematurely halted by the British scientists by calling it “Useless” as they found no evidence of any positive effects of this anti-malarial drug against the coronavirus (see below). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued a strong “warning” to all doctors planning to use HCQ to treat COVID-19 patients about serious and potentially life-threatening adverse effects of HCQ including increased rate of heart failure and death. PBT also moved a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of life-saving precautionary measures and mandatory “informed consent” before Indian hospitals and doctors start using HCQ on vulnerable COVID-19 patients as touted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The Apex Court disposed of the said PIL with specific direction that ICMR should consider the points raised in PBT’s PIL. Unfortunately, ICMR has not responded to PBT’s repeated requests seeking what steps, if any, they have taken to protect the COVID-19 patients who are being treated with the potentially dangerous and unproven HCQ. PBT also sent a legal notice to ICMR and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare last week that unless they provide satisfactory response to the use of HCQ in COVID-19 patients, PBT will have no other option but to move the court of law once again.

Med. Dialogue-UK (Jun, 2020) COVID-HCQ