![\\"logo\\"](\\"/img/logo-dpa-factchecking.svg\\"/) *About ![\\"IFCN](\\"/img/ifcn-certificate.png\\"/) ![\\"EFCSN](\\"/img/efcsn- certificate.png\\"/) # Of \"overwhelming doctors' support for anti-malarial treatment against COVID-19\" there is no question 5.6.2020, 17:35 (CEST) A post on Facebook claims that "an international survey of... thousands of doctors rated the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as the best treatment against coronavirus\". The World Health Organization (WHO) would wrongly not allow this treatment option to continue to research. ( RATING: The survey is cited in a misleading manner. The WHO and National governments encourage research into all treatment options COVID-19 on. FACTS: The press release from the Sermo research institute shows that the survey mainly concerned the use of antimalarial medicine hydroxychloroquine as a medicine that can contribute to the prevention of COVID-19 in risk groups. This mainly affects people who live in the health care workers and come into contact with the disease referred to, such as doctors and nursing staff. Initially it was not about the "best." treatment\". ( Only a quarter of doctors surveyed support its use antimalarial for prevention. Half of the doctors already have the drug use it themselves or experience how others around them use it, especially in very serious cases. The reason for this, according to a doctor interviewed, is the lack of treatment options, not the proven effectiveness and harmlessness of the drug. The press release also recalls that in the US alone more than 20 Research is being done into the suitability of hydroxychloroquine for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, including at the University of New York and in the state of South Dakota. The poll surveyed more than 20,000 doctors in 30 countries. Sermo is a global network on which doctors discuss treatment options. Doctors can give their opinion anonymously on Sermo. A representative one sampling is therefore not insured. This also means that it may be that doctors who have a certain opinion are more likely to take part in a poll others. There are sometimes warnings against the use of hydroxychloroquine because of it risk of side effects, especially in cardiac patients. The drug can also be used according to an earlier fact check by dpa, lead to disruption of the function of liver and kidneys. ( and The virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit told dpa in May that there are none Evidence shows that hydroxychloroquine works for COVID-19 prevention.--- Left: Facebook post: coronavirus treatment/2953995131386756/?__tn__=-R (archived: Press release from research agency Sermo: physicians-agree-that-healthcare-workers-should-take-hydroxychloroquine-to- prevent-covid-19-infections-use-of-hydroxychloroquine-in-prophylaxis-and-even- in-undiag/ (archived: Previous fact check from dpa on the subject: American drug agency Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns for the risks of hydroxychloroquine: use-hydroxychloroquine-or-chloroquine-covid-19-outside-hospital-setting-or (archived: \--- Contact the dpa fact check team: factcheck-netherlands@dpa.com powered by dpa-newslab | Imprint | Privacy | About:
A post on Facebook claims that an international survey of thousands of doctors rated the antimalaria drug hydroxychloroquine as the best treatment against coronavirus The World Health Organization WHO would wrongly not allow this treatment option to be further investigated