THE HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE (HCQ) story got a major plot twist on May 25. Two months after US President Donald Trump waxed eloquent on the benefits of the antimalarial drug in treating Covid-19, the World Health Organization paused the HCQ arm of its multi-centre, multi-drug randomised clinical trial. (Patients who were getting the drug would complete their course, though.) The pause to review safety data from other trials signals that the hype over HCQ was misplaced, and that there is concern about its safety.
The decision, the WHO said, was taken in light of a large observational study published in The Lancet on May 22. The study showed that among one lakh patients from various countries who took the drug (alone or with an antibiotic), the death rate was higher and an increased frequency of irregular heartbeats was observed. Also, the researchers could not confirm any benefit from the drug in Covid-19 patients.
On the same day, the Indian government issued an advisory to expand the pool of personnel who would receive the drug as a preventive measure against the pandemic. The advisory said that cardiovascular side-effects were rare. The basis on which the Centre’s joint task force took this decision included three studies—a retrospective case-control study, an observational study at AIIMS and another investigation from three Central government hospitals—which, as per the advisory, indicated some benefits from taking HCQ for those with high exposure to Covid-19 patients.
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Denne historien er fra June 07, 2020-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
