Deaths induced by compassionate use of hydroxychloroquine during the first Covid-19 wave: an estimate (2 January 2024)

Summary

During the first wave of Covid-19, the drug hydroxychloroquine was used off-label despite the absence of evidence documenting its clinical benefits. Since then, a meta-analysis of randomised trials showed that the drug's use was associated with an 11% increase in the mortality rate. This study in the journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy aimed to estimate the number of hydroxychloroquine-related deaths worldwide.