The WHO has suspended its multinational trial of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients with COVID-19, amid growing evidence the drug increases the risk of death.

The move follows a study published in the Lancet last week showing the drug, which is indicated for treatment of malaria and autoimmune conditions, had no therapeutic benefit against COVID-19 and did more harm than good.

The WHO’s decision could prompt a review of Australian-based trials, including the large Australasian COVID-19 Trial (ASCOT) which is investigating hydroxychloroquine treatment in 70 hospitals.

A spokesperson for the ASCOT group, which is led by the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, said its researchers “are currently reviewing this new evidence and implications for ASCOT”.