WHO: There is no evidence hydroxychloroquine helps treat coronavirus

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Wednesday there is no evidence the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine that U.S. President Donald Trump said he took to prevent coronavirus is actually an effective treatment or preventative against the virus.

On Monday, the WHO suspended its trial of hydroxychloroquine while it reviews data on whether the drug is safe for use by coronavirus patients. According to recent studies, the drug has could exacerbate health conditions of coronavirus patients and increase the risk of death.

“There is no empirical evidence at this point that these drugs work in this case either for treatment or for prophylaxis,” said Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO emergencies programme.

“We do not advise the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the treatment of Covid-19 outside randomised control trials or under appropriate close clinical supervision subject to whatever national regulatory authorities have decided.”