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MHRA statement on chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine should not be used to treat COVID-19, unless within a clinical trial, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has advised.

In a statement, the agency cautioned prescribers that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are not licensed to treat COVID-19 symptoms or prevent infection.

The MHRA said: “Clinical trials are ongoing to test chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as an agent in the treatment of COVID-19 or to prevent COVID-19 infection. These clinical trials are still not completed, so no conclusions have been reached on the safety and effectiveness of this medicine to treat or prevent COVID-19."

"Until we have clear, definitive evidence these treatments are safe and effective for the treatment of COVID-19, they should only be used for this purpose within a clinical trial.”

“We understand these are challenging times, and patients may be worried, but we are doing everything we can to continue to ensure patient safety,” the regulator said.


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