WHO: Drug Trump taking to fight COVID-19 best left to tests

The World Health Organisation, which has come under repeated fire from US President Donald Trump, says the science is still unclear on an old malaria drug he's taking to try to defend against the novel coronavirus.

It says it recommends the drug's use for COVID-19 only in controlled clinical trials for now.

Dr Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies chief, notes the drug hydroxychloroquine which Trump said Monday that he's taking is just one of many possible therapies being now tested internationally to see if they are effective against the novel coronavirus.

His comments late Wednesday suggested WHO remains unbowed by Trump's repeated criticism over its response to the coronavirus pandemic including most recently his threat to end all funding for the UN health agency from its biggest donor, the United States, if it doesn't reform.

Ryan nonetheless emphasized countries can make their own choices.

Every sovereign nation, particularly those with effective regulatory authorities, is in a position to advise its own citizens regarding the use of any drug, he said.

I would point out however that at this stage (neither) hydroxychloroquine nor chloroquine have been as yet found to be effective in the treatment of COVID-19 or in the prophylaxis against coming down with the disease, he said. In fact, the opposite in that warnings have been issued by many authorities regarding the potential side effects of the drug."