Hydroxychloroquine linked to higher risk of death in coronavirus patients — Study

Our Reporter

Hydroxychloroquine which  President Donald Trump once touted as  a solution to  coronavirus  is not as effective after all, according to an observational study of nearly 100,000 coronavirus patients who received antimalarial drugs-including hydroxychloroquine.

The study found that  the patients on whom the drug was applied had  an increased risk of death or cardiac issue.

The findings, published yesterday in medical journal, The Lancet, surveyed 96,000 coronavirus patients across six continents.

It is regarded the biggest analysis yet of the use of antimalarial drugs to treat Covid-19.

Read Also: COVID-19: Nigerians stockpiling chloroquine, PTF raises alarm

The report showed that the risk of death was 34% higher in patients who received hydroxychloroquine.

They also had a 137% higher risk of developing heart arrhythmia.

The risks rose higher for patients who took hydroxychloroquine with an antibiotic:45% risk of death and 411% risk of arrhythmia.

Experts said yesterday that although The Lancet findings emerged only from an analysis of medical records and not from a controlled study, the size of the analysis offers scientists a basis to conclude that the drug can cause more harm than good if used to treat coronavirus.

There is little evidence yet that hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine is effective in the treatment of coronavirus.

Only last Thursday, the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 warned Nigerians against resort to the use of  hydroxychloroquine in  treating  coronavirus.

The Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha,  declared in Abuja that the drug had not been certified  for use.

Mustapha, who doubles as  Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), told reporters in Abuja that reports reaching it from its surveillance system that Nigerians had been purchasing hydroxychloroquine in large quantities to treat the virus.

He said:”We wish to reiterate that this drug has not being certified for use in treating COVID-19 in Nigeria by the relevant health and pharmaceutical authorities.

“Self-medication of any kind is fraught with the danger of increasing risks of avoidable casualties. We, therefore, strongly warn against self-medication.

“If you are sick, please seek medical advice and if you are confirmed positive, kindly self-isolate in an approved facility, the COVID-19 is highly infectious and dangerous.”