The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it will continue chloroquine clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment despite the temporary suspension of the drug test by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Newsmen reported that WHO had announced a temporary pause in its trial on the use of hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, citing a study by The Lancet, said the effects of the use of hydroxychloroquine alone or when used with a macrolide, and reported a higher mortality rate.
But Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, speaking during a programme on TVC, on Tuesday, said there is data to prove that chloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19 patients, particularly at the “mild stage” of the virus.
She said Nigeria would continue its clinical trials which may take three to four months.
“There is data to prove that hydroxychloroquine worked for many COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we would continue our own clinical trials in Nigeria. Hydroxychloroquine has been proved to work at a mild stage. So the potency depends on the severity of the disease in the patient’s body,” she said.
“If medical doctors, research scientists, pharmacists, herbal experts work together, we should conclude the clinical trial in three to four months. The narrative might change afterwards but for now, we believe in hydroxychloroquine.”
