The World Health Organisation in a major decision has announced it has stopped its trials of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and combination of HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir for the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients after they failed to reduce the death rate.

A daily quoted WHO saying in a statement , "These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalised COVID-19 patients when compared to the standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate effect".

The WHO stated this decision will now affect the other studies where the drugs are being used for non-hospitalised or as prophylaxis.