- The drug has gone from being a possible treatment for coronavirus to raising the mortality rate. Based on a drug used for malaria, the first tests were carried out in March in Marseilles, and drug research has since been done in other countries.
A study published by the specialized journal The Lancet reveals that mortality among COVID-19 patients who have ingested hydroxychloroquine has been higher. This research has been the basis for temporarily halting research with the drug carried out by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO Chief of Emergency Michael Ryan said it is "a precautionary measure". The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has gone further, as a report published in May indicates that the medical tests carried out on the drug have not proven their validity against COVID-19.
He asked the governments of the countries in his area to avoid self-medication, as “the not recommended use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine may have negative effects until it causes serious illness or death.”
This recommendation comes out when Donald Trump declares he self-medicates. The US President has said that he has carried out a two-week treatment as a preventive measure. He has said that he has the permission of the White House doctor, despite the fact that there are health organizations around the world that have opposed him.