WHO halts hydroxychloroquine & combination of HIV drug trials among COVID-19 patients

World Health Organisation on June 4 revealed that it was halting trials of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and combination of HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir, which are aimed at finding a vaccine or treatment for dely coronavirus. According to reports, WHO decided to stop testing se drugs after y did t show an improvement in mortality rate of COVID-19 patients.

Drugs found to be ineffective 

WHO in a statement said, "se interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or reduction in mortality of hospitalised COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt trials with immediate effect."

WHO also reported at least 212,326 new cases of coronavirus globally in 24 hours. international health ncy ded that it h recorded 5,134 virus-related deaths in last 24 hours. COVID-19 has infected about 11,141,020 people worldwide and global death toll has crossed 527,00 mark according to John Hopkins University coronavirus resource centre. United States is currently global epicentre of virus having reported 2,817,620 positive coronavirus cases and more than 129,575 deaths.

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vel coronavirus first appeared in China late last year and country has been heavily criticised for its role in allegedly keeping origin and pandemic potential of COVID-19 a secret from world. While it is believed that virus originated at a wet market in Wuhan, some leers opine that virus was manufactured in a Wuhan laboratory.

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COVID-19 drug trials in 2 weeks

WHO Director-General Tedros ham Ghebreyesus on June 3 said that results from clinical trials it is conducting of drugs that might be effective in treating COVID-19 patients can be expected soon. According to reports, WHO was conducting clinical trials for drugs that will be effective in treating COVID-19 and has recruited over 5,000 patients spanning over 39 countries.

As per reports, Director-General has claimed that preliminary results can be expected in next two weeks. Reportedly, Solidarity Trial started out in five parts looking at possible treatment approaches to COVID-19: first is standard care of infected patient, second is a drug called remdesivir, third involves testing viability of hydroxychloroquine, anti-malaria drug which was championed by US President Donald Trump. fourth is testing of HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir and last st involves combining lopinavir/ritonavir with interferon.

(Im credit: AP)