Hydroxychloroquine study withdrawn over data concerns
The anti-malaria drug has been touted as a “miracle cure” for Covid-19, but the scientific evidence so far is confusing.
Associated Press
Authors have withdrawn an influential article finding that hydroxychloroquine had no benefit against Covid-19, citing data concerns.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jc
The article, published in the Lancet medical journal on May 22, was by Harvard Medical School, the University of Utah and Switzerland’s University Hospital Zurich. It found that antimalarial drugs hydroxychloroquine and a similar drug chloroquine showed no benefit against Covid-19 and could even increase the risk of heart arrhythmia and death.
But three of the four authors, including Frank Ruschitzka of the University Hospital of Zurich, have now retracted it.
On Thursday, they said that Surgisphere, the company that provided the data, would not transfer the dataset for an independent review and that they “can no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources”. The fourth author of the study, Sapan Desai who is chief executive of Surgisphere, declined to comment on the retraction, according to Reuters.
In a June 5 update to its original press release, Zurich University Hospital department of cardiology said it was “only called in by Harvard Medical School to co-author the paper during the evaluation phase” and “was not involved in the provision of the data by the company Surgisphere or in the evaluation of the data collection”. “Prof. Ruschitzka had no contact with the company,” it adds. “After reservations became known, the authors immediately requested an external audit.”
Controversy
The antimalarial drug has been surrounded by controversy. Claimed by French professor Didier Raoult to be a miracle cure for the new coronavirus, it has also been touted by US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The Lancet article caused the suspension of several studies into its use for Covid-19.
At the height of the pandemic in March, Swiss hospitals all had their own policies with regard to administration of the drug, according to data gathered by Swiss television RTS. In mid-May most of the big hospitals harmonised their practise, deciding to stop using chloroquine to treat Covid-19 except for patients taking part in clinical trials.
The World Health Organization paused hydroxychloroquine trials after The Lancet study was released but said on Wednesday it was ready to resume trials.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
This content was published on
By 8am on Saturday, an 11-kilometre queue had formed at the Gotthard tunnel’s northern entrance, with drivers facing nearly two hours of delays.
Plant-based meat market in Switzerland set to grow to CHF361 million by 2030
This content was published on
Switzerland’s market for plant-based meat alternatives has a potential value of around CHF 242 million this year, though it remains a niche market.
This content was published on
The army is looking for a modern solution for its decommissioned fortress mortar bunkers, with plans to turn them into hardened defence hubs.
This content was published on
Spain ended Switzerland’s run in the Women’s Euros on Friday, but fans in Bern made history with the largest supporters’ march in Women’s Euros history.
This content was published on
Solar energy pioneer Raphaël Domjan and his team continued preparations for the altitude record attempt at 10,000 metres with the SolarStratos solar aircraft.
This content was published on
Cattle in the canton of Geneva and in the neighbouring region of Terre Sainte in the canton of Vaud are being vaccinated against the contagious viral skin nodule disease. The first cases of the animal disease were reported at the end of June in France, just outside Geneva.
Fewer attacks on Swiss ATMs but their future remains uncertain
This content was published on
Bank ATMs in Switzerland are less prone to attacks by criminals, but their future remains uncertain given the less active use of cash by the population.
This content was published on
A series of rockfalls occurred above the village of Brienz between 9 and 12 July. According to the municipality of Albula, the overall situation remains tense. Several people disregarded the ban on entering the area around the village.
This content was published on
Arosa Bergbahnen achieved the highest figure in its 95-year history in the 2024/25 financial year with net revenue of CHF 37 million. Arosa Lenzerheide was able to capitalise on strengths such as snow reliability and the size of the ski area in a long winter season, the company announced on Thursday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Balancing hope and science in the search for a coronavirus cure
This content was published on
The debate surrounding the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine epitomises companies' balancing act between hope and scientific realities.
Study finds hydroxychloroquine linked to higher death rate in Covid-19 patients
This content was published on
An international research team led by the University Hospital of Zurich and Harvard Medical School finds controversial antimalarial drugs show no benefit against Covid-19.
‘Anti-malaria drug can kill coronavirus’: Novartis chief
This content was published on
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis believes the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine offers one of the best hopes to combat coronavirus.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.