Following the revelation of augmented risk for death and serious heart issues reported by patients in a study, the World Health Organization (WHO) has deferred use of antimalarial drug- hydroxychloroquine in a clinical trial concerning COVID-19.

In a press briefing, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO mentioned that there will be “a provisional pause” of the hydroxychloroquine arm of the WHO global study into experimental COVID-19 treatments. Other treatments being tested in the trial, for example experimental antiviral drug remdesivir and an HIV combination therapy, are still under investigation. As per the Associated Press, WHO experts will perform a comprehensive review of all the existing data on hydroxychloroquine as stated by Tedros.