French researcher Didier Raoult finds himself under fire as prominent medical organizations demand swift action to be taken against him.
A report shared by MedicalXpress tells us that accusations have been hurled at Raoult, accusing him of conducting the largest "unauthorized" clinical trial ever witnessed on the use of hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19.
This gripping controversy casts doubt over Raoult's practices and raises concerns about patient safety.
Unauthorized Drug Trials
The accusations stem from an op-ed piece published on Le Monde's website, jointly authored by 16 reputable research bodies.
In this scathing critique, Raoult and his team are criticized for their administration of medications, including hydroxychloroquine, zinc, ivermectin, and azithromycin, to COVID-19 patients without substantial scientific evidence or a solid pharmacological foundation.
Astonishingly, these drugs were administered to patients for over a year, even after their inefficacy had been irrefutably proven.
Didier Raoult, an expert in tropical diseases, gained considerable notoriety for promoting hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic.
Former US President Donald Trump and then-Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro further fueled his advocacy, tainting his title as a 'science star.'
However, the tides began to shift in April when France's medications authority, ANSM, issued a cautionary statement against hydroxychloroquine due to its potentially serious side effects.
Medical Bodies Demand Action Against Raoult
In light of these alarming revelations, the collective of medical bodies is demanding immediate action to be taken against Raoult.
They aim to safeguard patient well-being and uphold the integrity of French medical research, which has been put in jeopardy by these controversial practices.
The medical community asserts that appropriate measures must be implemented to ensure that such unauthorized trials do not compromise the health and trust of patients.
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The controversy surrounding Didier Raoult's actions first came to public attention when he published a "pre-print" study in March. Notably, this study had not yet undergone rigorous scientific peer review, intensifying the debate surrounding his methods.
Raoult's Controversial Study
The study claimed to evaluate the treatment of a staggering 30,000 COVID-19 patients, triggering Marseille prosecutors to initiate an investigation into potential fraud and unwarranted human testing at Raoult's former workplace, the IHU Mediterranee research hospital.
Despite the ongoing probe, no charges have been filed against any individuals thus far.
Taking a closer look at the aftermath, the French government has launched its own investigation into the IHU Mediterranee under Raoult's leadership.
This decision was prompted by a scathing report from inspectors, shedding light on further concerns regarding the management and practices at the renowned institution.
Health Minister Francois Braun has refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation but confirmed that the latest study would be thoroughly examined as part of the inquiry.
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