The scientific article “Hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as treatment for COVID-19: results of an open, non-randomized clinical trial”, published in 2020 by Didier Raoult and colleagues, has been retracted by the publisher Elsevier. This decision comes more than four years after its publication, due to serious breaches of ethical and scientific standards.
In a statement, Elsevier said “concerns have been raised regarding this article, the substance of which relates to compliance with publication ethics policies and the appropriate conduct of research involving human participants.” Three of the authors of the study themselves expressed doubts about the “methodology and conclusions” of the article, reinforcing the criticisms formulated for several years by the scientific community.
For Professor Jean Michel Dogné, Director of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Namur and expert at the European Medicines Agency, this case illustrates an important issue. “The case of hydroxychloroquine highlights the crucial importance of adhering to rigorous scientific standards, even in times of health crisis,” he wrote in a post published on LinkedIn.
It also highlights the dangers of hasty research. “The use of any medical product must be based on clear evidence of its effectiveness and safety, established by well-designed randomized clinical trials. Rushing to implement treatments without solid evidence can put patient safety and public trust at risk,” he concludes.
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