In a recent study published in the Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy journal, researchers have revealed shocking findings about the use of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19. Despite former President Donald Trump’s endorsement of the drug as a “game changer” in the fight against the virus, the study has linked hydroxychloroquine to nearly 17,000 deaths across six countries.
During the initial stages of the pandemic, hydroxychloroquine gained attention as a potential treatment for COVID-19, despite a lack of concrete evidence supporting its efficacy. Trump publicly supported the drug, even in the face of scientific skepticism. However, a study conducted by French researchers found that the use of hydroxychloroquine was associated with an 11% increase in mortality rate among COVID patients and an estimated 16,990 deaths across six countries.
Following initial approval for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, concerns about the drug’s safety and efficacy led to the revocation of its authorization. The National Institutes of Health also halted its clinical trials into hydroxychloroquine after determining that it was unlikely to benefit hospitalized COVID patients. Despite these developments, Trump persisted in his support of the drug, sparking a surge in the online search and purchase of hydroxychloroquine.
The recent study revealed that the majority of hydroxychloroquine-related deaths occurred in the United States, with Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, and Turkey also reporting fatalities associated with the drug. The researchers emphasized the cardiac side effects of hydroxychloroquine as a contributing factor to its toxicity in COVID-19 patients. They also pointed to the dangers of promoting treatments with low-level evidence and the importance of limiting off-label use until accurate data and evidence are available.
The study’s findings underscore the necessity of exercising caution in the repurposing of drugs for the management of future pandemics. The implications of the study are clear – the promotion and use of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 have had devastating consequences, further highlighting the importance of evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.