MOH will begin clinical study on COVID-19 patients - Dr Noor Hisham

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will begin a clinical study involving COVID-19 patients in the country to test the efficacy and safety of four treatment regiment through the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Survey.

Health director-general, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, said the clinical study will be conducted among COVID-19 patients who met the criteria.

"The WHO-coordinated survey worldwide is a data collection and safety comparison and efficacy of four treatment regimens using the combination of Remdesivir, Lopinavir / Ritonavir, Interferon beta, Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine.

"In this regard, MoH will embark on a clinical study to test the efficacy and safety of Remdesivir drugs in treating COVID-19 patients in the near future.

"Nine MOH hospitals participating in the WHO Solidarity Trial are ready to begin recruitment of study participants among COVID-19 patients who meet the criteria that has been set," he told a media conference here today.

Each treatment regimen used, Dr Noor Hisham added, has been approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) to ensure the safety of each patient being tested.

"The Medical Ethics and Research Committee (MREC) has worked closely with the NPRA and the MOH which acts as the regulatory body responsible for approving the use of the drug in this clinical study.

"The evaluation done was based on three key aspects including the safety, quality and early efficacy of the drug based on the data presented," he said.

He added that Malaysia's participation in this worldwide survey is expected to assist in the search for a cure for the lives of COVID-19 patients through its safety and efficacy assessment.