WHO endorses continuation of HCQ trials for COVID-19

05 June 2020 | News

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed after safety data were reviewed by the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee of the Solidarity Trial

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The Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial decided on 23 May 2020 to implement a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm of the trial, because of concerns raised about the safety of the drug. This decision was taken as a precaution while the safety data were reviewed by the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee of the Solidarity Trial.

A WHO report on 25 May suggested that "As per the initial trial protocol, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine had both been selected as potential drugs to be tested within the Solidarity Trial. However the trial was only ever pursued with hydroxychloroquine, so chloroquine was removed from this page as a listed treatment option understudy"

On 3 June 2020, WHO's Director-General announced that on the basis of the available mortality data, the members of the committee have recommended that there are no reasons to modify the trial protocol.

The Executive Group received this recommendation and endorsed the continuation of all arms of the Solidarity Trial, including hydroxychloroquine.

The Data Safety and Monitoring Committee will continue to closely monitor the safety of all therapeutics being tested in the Solidarity Trial.