Coronavirus: France stops using hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 patients

France has reportedly stopped using one of the most publicized treatments for coronavirus, according to an official government decree issued on Wednesday.

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory drug that has been used by several governments to treat patients suffering with COVID-19. The drug has recently been at the center of controversy after US President Donald Trump said he was taking it, despite experts warning it did not prevent catching COVID-19.

The World Health Organization suspended testing the malaria drug on COVID-19 patients due to safety concerns on Monday. Now, it appears France has backtracked on its use of the drug as well.

"Repeal of order authorizing hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 (official),:" tweeted BFMTV journalist Adeline Francois.

The French government has not publicly confirmed the report.

Governments across the world are racing to find a treatment for the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 350,000 people.

Developing.

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