In a new analysis conducted by French researchers, it has been estimated that nearly 17,000 individuals across six countries may have died as a result of taking hydroxychloroquine (HQC) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The study, which examined data from Turkey, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, and the United States, sheds further light on the potential risks associated with the controversial drug.

Hydroxychloroquine, initially prescribed off-label as a potential treatment for COVID-19, gained traction in February and March 2020 based on early reports suggesting its efficacy against the virus. However, subsequent studies not only failed to show any benefit from the drug but also revealed a significant increase in the risk of death.

Despite these findings, the recent analysis indicates that some healthcare providers continued to prescribe hydroxychloroquine to hospitalized COVID-19 patients, even in the absence of evidence documenting its clinical benefits. The researchers from Lyon, France, and Quebec, Canada, caution that their estimates of excess deaths due to hydroxychloroquine are likely an undercount but could also be a significant overcount.

The study period, which spanned from March to July 2020, revealed an estimated 16,990 excess deaths that could be attributed to hydroxychloroquine use across the six countries. The researchers attribute this increased mortality to the drug's toxicity, particularly its cardiac side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythms.

However, the study acknowledges that its findings are limited due to a general lack of data from most countries during the specified period. As a result, the actual number of deaths related to hydroxychloroquine could range anywhere between 3,000 and 30,000, according to the researchers. Furthermore, they highlight that the global count of hydroxychloroquine-induced deaths was likely underestimated due to the dearth of studies from regions such as East Europe, United Kingdom, Germany, Scandinavia, Africa, and South America.

Considering the wide use of hydroxychloroquine during the first and subsequent waves of the pandemic in numerous countries, the researchers argue that the actual number of deaths caused by the drug may be significantly higher. The study's authors emphasize that their estimates only account for the countries included in their analysis, which had a combined population of approximately 600 million people.

In March 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted temporary emergency use authorization for hydroxychloroquine, a decision that was later revoked on June 15, 2020. Former President Trump had repeatedly promoted the drug, touting hydroxychloroquine and its related drug, chloroquine, as potential "miracle" treatments for COVID-19.

The findings of this analysis highlight the importance of evidence-based medicine and rigorous research in the face of the ongoing pandemic. As the global medical community continues to strive towards effective treatments and preventive measures for COVID-19, it is crucial to rely on scientific evidence and thorough evaluation to ensure the safety and well-being of patients around the world.