The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has launched a clinical trial to study the safety and effectiveness of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19.
Known as the Outcomes Related to COVID-19 Treated With Hydroxychloroquine Among In-patients With Symptomatic Disease (ORCHID) study, the first few volunteers have enrolled at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee as the trial aims to enroll over 500 adults currently hospitalized with COVID-19. The trial also aims to enroll adults in an emergency department with anticipated hospitalization.
With no therapies currently to prevent disease progression, the trial data is urgently needed to inform clinical practice as the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to grow in the United States.