Prominent French infectious disease specialist Didier Raoult has cited preliminary findings from a Chinese clinical trial suggesting the antimalarial drug chloroquine may combat COVID-19. While encouraging, experts emphasize the need for further validation.
In an interview with Le Point published on February 25, 2020, Didier Raoult, director of Marseille's Mediterranean Infection Institute, discussed a study from Chinese researchers across hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan—the epicenter of the outbreak. The trial tested chloroquine, a standard malaria treatment, on around 100 patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia.
Results indicated chloroquine phosphate outperformed standard care, thanks to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Though efficacy wasn't quantified, researchers proposed a regimen of 500 mg daily for 10 days—an affordable, well-tolerated option with a long safety record.
Raoult called the findings promising and has consulted French Health Minister Olivier Véran, prompting the General Directorate of Health to initiate reviews. Chloroquine could soon be considered for broader use in France.
Notably, the "Bordeaux patient," a 48-year-old Chinese national discharged February 13 after 22 days, received remdesivir—an antiviral developed for Ebola and Marburg—which inhibited viral replication.
As of February 26, 2020, global figures showed 80,559 confirmed cases, 2,711 deaths, and over 27,000 recoveries. Emerging hotspots included South Korea (1,146 cases, 11 deaths), Italy (323 cases, 4 deaths), and Iran (95 cases, 14 deaths).
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