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It is so sad when academics use observational studies and self-promotional press conferences to make statements about efficacy of drugs ,in the process confusing general public, media and needlessly politicising science. https://twitter.com/virendersehwag/status/1279246740500013056
The definitive answers about efficacy of drugs(Hydroxychloroquine) in this case are answered through Randomised Control trials(RCT) ,not observational studies which have multiple biases.
Multiple RCTs (RECOVERY, DISCOVERY, SOLIDARITY,ORCHID)of Hydroxychloroquine(HCQ)now show that there is limited benefit to use of Hydroxychloroquine in Hospitalised Patients and HCQ arms were halted midway after interim data analysis. Most of these data came in last month.
One of these (RECOVERY) used high dose of HCQ to target 90% killing of SARS-COV2,But ORCHID,DISCOVERY did not and they did not find any significant benefit. A new flawed observational study don't change a big body of work.
While equipoise of limited benefit with Hydroxychloroquine still exists in non-Hospitalised Patients (outpatient clinics and Prophylaxis to contact and health care workers) due to its weak Antiviral effect and oral nature. The probability has gone lower over time
So, while search for a good oral antiviral drug for COVID treatment and prevention continues , it should be clear now that Hydroxychloroquine is the wrong hill to die and waste Twitter time on.
