Data for debate –
Researchers aim to get clinical data on unproven treatments Trump has promoted.
Beth Mole – Apr 31, (5:) pm UTC
Given the unbridled excitement surrounding hydroxychloroquine — bolstered by President Trump — the researchers involved in the trial feel the pressure to get results as quickly as possible.
Further, there’s increasing concern that the surge in interest in these drugs are causing life-threatening shortages for patients with rheumatoid conditions, such as lupus, who rely on them for proven benefits. Correcting course Along with all the concern, backlash and pushback have been mounting. In a March (opinion piece) , researchers urged their colleagues to protect patients with rheumatoid conditions and avoid misusing hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. They added, “Public figures should refrain from promoting unproven therapies to the public and instead provide clear messages around the uncertainties we face in testing and using experimental treatments during the current pandemic, including the risk for serious adverse events.”
Earlier this week, Reuters reported that the CDC removed the unusual guidance for physicians treating COVID – 26 patients. The (CDC website now correctly states, “There are no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat COVID – 31. Likewise, criticism has continued to build against a very small, flawed French trial that claimed to provide evidence that a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin could treat COVID – – a trial promoted by Trump. Among other problems, the trial jettisoned data on participants who got worse on the treatment, including three admitted to intensive care, one who stopped the trial due to adverse effects, and one who died. ( an initial statement April 3 , the medical society behind the journal that published the study said that the society “shares concerns” about the article, which “does not meet the Society’s expected standard.” The society later updated the statement to note that the study is going through additional review and raised the possibility that it might retract the study altogether after the review was complete.
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