Hydroxychloroquine is the ‘most effective therapy’ for coronavirus treatment: A global survey of over 6,000 doctors shows

A global survey of more than 6,000 doctors conducted found that malarial drug hydroxychloroquine was the most highly rated treatment against the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).

The survey conducted by Sermo, a global health care polling company, found that 6,227 physicians in 30 countries found that 37% of those treating COVID-19 patients rated hydroxychloroquine as the “most effective therapy” from a list of 15 options..

Early this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorization of anti-malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine for treatment of coronavirus patients. Previously available for “off-label” use, the FDA now gives hospitals and doctors emergency permission to use the anti-malarial drugs hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat coronavirus patients.

The survey also found that the three most commonly prescribed treatments are 56% analgesics, 41% Azithromycin, and 33% Hydroxychloroquine.

Below is a summary of the findings.

• Hydroxychloroquine usage amongst COVID-19 treaters is 72% in Spain, 49% in Italy, 41% in Brazil, 39% in Mexico, 28% in France, 23% in US, 17% in Germany, 16% in Canada, 13% in UK and 7% in Japan.
• Hydroxychloroquine was overall chosen as the most effective therapy from a list of 15 options (37% of COVID-19 treaters).
• 75% in Spain, 53% Italy, 44% in China, 43% in Brazil, 29% in France, 23% in US and 13% in UK.
• The two most common treatment regimens for Hydroxychloroquine were:  (38%) 400mg twice daily on day one; 400 mg daily for 5 days. (26%) 400mg twice daily on day one; 200mg twice daily for 4 days.
• Outside the US, Hydroxychloroquine was equally used for diagnosed patients with mild to severe symptoms whereas in the US it was most commonly used for high risk diagnosed patients.
• Globally, 19% of physicians prescribed or have seen Hydroxychloroquine prophylactically used for high risk patients, and 8% for low risk patients.
• Second global outbreak is anticipated by 83% of global physicians, 90% of US physicians but only 50% of Chinese physicians.
• In the US, 63% of physicians recommend restrictions be lifted six or more weeks from now and 66% believe the peak is at least 3-4 weeks away.
• Average Time for COVID-19 Test:
  • On average tests in the US take 4-5 days, and in 10% of cases the wait is more than 7 days.
  • 14% of US physicians and over 50% in all of Europe and Japan report getting test results in 24 hours; in China 73% of doctors get tests back in 24 hours, while 8% get tests back within the hour.
• Prioritizing Patient Treatment in Case of Ventilator Shortage:
  • In all countries except China, the top criteria for deciding who should receive a ventilator first was patients with the highest chance of recovery (47%) followed by those most ill and at highest risk of death (21%), then first responders (15%).
  • In China the priorities were reversed as the most ill and highest risk of death received ventilators.
  • First responders were more important in the US.
  • France, Japan, and Italy prioritized age.
  • Brazil and Russia prioritized higher risk patients.