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Thread 1/10
On Friday, 22 May, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released an advisory recommending the prophylactic use of hydroxychloroquine for healthcare workers who are most at risk of getting COVID-19. There are multiple caveats with it though.
On Friday, 22 May, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released an advisory recommending the prophylactic use of hydroxychloroquine for healthcare workers who are most at risk of getting COVID-19. There are multiple caveats with it though.
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"Three studies find that hydroxychloroquine reduces chances of contracting Covid, so ICMR allows more frontline workers to take it as a preventive drug." https://theprint.in/health/hcq-breakthrough-icmr-finds-its-effective-in-preventing-coronavirus-expands-its-use/427583/
"Three studies find that hydroxychloroquine reduces chances of contracting Covid, so ICMR allows more frontline workers to take it as a preventive drug." https://theprint.in/health/hcq-breakthrough-icmr-finds-its-effective-in-preventing-coronavirus-expands-its-use/427583/
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Revised advisory on the use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as prophylaxis for SARS-CoV-2 infection
( https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/V5_Revised_advisory_on_the_use_of_HCQ_SARS_CoV2_infection.pdf)
Revised advisory on the use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as prophylaxis for SARS-CoV-2 infection
( https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/V5_Revised_advisory_on_the_use_of_HCQ_SARS_CoV2_infection.pdf)
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The three studies have not been released in a peer-reviewed journal. In fact, they have not been released anywhere. 214 cases of adverse drug reactions were reported in all three studies combined. ICMR has also reported several contraindications.
The three studies have not been released in a peer-reviewed journal. In fact, they have not been released anywhere. 214 cases of adverse drug reactions were reported in all three studies combined. ICMR has also reported several contraindications.
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On top of that, no figures and data from the studies are provided. This raises two questions.
1. What is the incidence rate of COVID-19 in people who took hydroxychloroquine prophylactically and those who did not?
2. What was the sample size of each study?
On top of that, no figures and data from the studies are provided. This raises two questions.
1. What is the incidence rate of COVID-19 in people who took hydroxychloroquine prophylactically and those who did not?
2. What was the sample size of each study?
6/10
We know the sample size of one study but not the other two. This is not how science is done. I mean even I could write a document like this on the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine but it means nothing without data. An ongoing British study should settle the debate on this.
We know the sample size of one study but not the other two. This is not how science is done. I mean even I could write a document like this on the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine but it means nothing without data. An ongoing British study should settle the debate on this.
7/10
There is more though. Two articles in The Telegraph (India) cast further doubts on the studies. https://m.telegraphindia.com/india/coronavirus-pandemic-two-government-agencies-nix-drug-efficacy-test/cid/1774879
There is more though. Two articles in The Telegraph (India) cast further doubts on the studies. https://m.telegraphindia.com/india/coronavirus-pandemic-two-government-agencies-nix-drug-efficacy-test/cid/1774879
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The proposed study is designed to test the validity of ICMR's studies.
The proposed study is designed to test the validity of ICMR's studies.
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