GENEVA, July 4 (Reuters) – The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday it would suspend its trials of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine and the combined HIV drug lopinavir / ritonavir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 after that failed to reduce mortality.
“These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir / ritonavir produce little or no reduction in inpatient mortality with COVID-19 compared to standard care. Investigators of solidarity trials will discontinue trials with immediate effect.” The WHO said in a statement, referring to the large multi-country trials that the agency is leading.
The UN agency said the decision, made on the recommendation of the trial’s international steering committee, does not affect other studies in which the drugs are used for outpatients or as prophylaxis.
Another arm of the WHO-led trial is looking at the possible effect of remdesivir of Gilead antiviral drugs on COVID-19. (Report by Stephanie Nebehay Edited by Frances Kerry)
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