Coronavirus drugs trial to begin at UK homes and GP clinics

Anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to be tested on vulnerable patients aged 50 to 64

Drugs that could relieve the symptoms of coronavirus in vulnerable patients and help them avoid admission to hospital are to begin trials in homes across the UK.

The experiment, led by a team at Oxford University, seeks to test pre-existing treatments for older people in the community who show signs of the disease.

Known as Principle, or “Platform Randomised trial of interventions against Covid-19 in older People”, it is the first to take place in primary care settings such as health clinics.

More than 500 GP practices across the country are already recruiting people aged between 50 and 64 with underlying health conditions to take part.

This week will see the first volunteers being screened online — which involves filling out a questionnaire to see whether they are suitable for the trial.

In the first phase of the trial they will test whether a seven-day course of hydroxychloroquine can reduce the severity of symptoms.

The well-known anti-malaria drug was controversially touted by Donald Trump and has already been trialled in several UK hospitals.

Later phases will include the antibiotic azithromycin.

Participants will be closely monitored for the first 28 days of the trial, with a health record notes review taking place for up to three months.

This will allow researchers to understand the longer-term effects of the illness on participants’ health.

People are eligible to join the trial if they have had symptoms — a continuous new or worsening cough, or a high temperature — for fewer than 15 days. They must be aged 50-64 with a pre-existing illness such as high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma or lung disease, a weakened immune system, diabetes not treated with insulin, stroke or neurological problems, or liver disease. They may also be eligible if they are aged 65 and above.

The chief investigator of the trial is Chris Butler, professor of primary care in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and a part-time GP for the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board.

He said: “The Principle trial platform is enabling us to rapidly evaluate potential treatments for Covid-19 in older people who are most at risk of serious complications from the illness.

“With enough people recruited, this trial will give us the vital information we need to understand whether existing drugs can help people recover sooner and at home, without needing to be admitted to hospital — a significant milestone in the course of this pandemic.

“As soon as we find that any one of the drugs in our trial is making a critical difference to people’s health, we want it to be part of clinical practice as soon as it can be introduced.”

England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the Principle trial was “a vital part of the research effort”. ​

He added: “I would urge anyone who is contacted to take part in this trial to do so and contribute to helping our world-class scientists find a treatment that will save lives.”

Additional reporting by agencies