US National Institutes of Health Also Halts Hydroxychloroquine Clinical Trials

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has decided to halt clinical trials of the malaria treatment hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 treatment.

On the 20th (local time), the NIH stated that hydroxychloroquine does not appear to be harmful to COVID-19 patients, but it also does not seem to be helpful.

The NIH has been conducting clinical trials since April at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, with over 470 participants reportedly involved.

Hydroxychloroquine is a malaria treatment that U.S. President Donald Trump praised as a "gift from God" and a "game changer" for COVID-19 treatment in March without clear evidence, sparking controversy.

Earlier, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine on the 15th, stating that they pose greater risks than potential benefits to COVID-19 patients.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also recently suspended clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine.

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