By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government has expressed confidence in the clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine as treatment for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) despite controversy.

Recall that World Health Organisation, WHO, Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, two weeks ago announced the temporary suspension of testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19 as a precautionary measure.

The suspension came days after US President Donald Trump announced he had been taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure against the virus.

WHO had previously recommended against using hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent coronavirus infections, except as part of clinical trials. In a twist, WHO recently resumed the clinical trial exploring whether the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can effectively treat COVID-19, after pausing enrollment in the Solidarity Trial to review safety concern about the drug.

However, the state government expressed commitment to the use of the drugs. The state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, made the assertion on Friday, during a media briefing on COVID-19 situation report in the state.

Abayomi said the rapid diagnostic test for the virus are inaccurate thereby increasing spread of COVID-19 and “the tests have not been registered and validated for use even though they are fast and test result are usually ready within five minutes.”

According to him, “Vendors of the product are selling illegally, that is why there are no validation and testing of the product in legalized areas as government must give permission to perform the rapid test due to accuracy. But the bench mark test will still be performed for clarity and peace of mind.” (Vanguard)