London, June 8 (RHC)-- British scientists have halted a large trial that had been exploring the use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine in patients with COVID-19 after initial results showed no evidence of benefit.

"We reviewed the data and concluded there is no evidence of a beneficial effect of hydroxychloroquine in patients hospitalised with COVID, and decided to stop enrolling patients to the hydroxychloroquine arm with immediate effect," said Martin Landray, an Oxford University professor who is co-leading the so-called RECOVERY trial.

"This is not a treatment for COVID-19. It doesn't work," he said. "This result should change medical practice worldwide ... We can now stop using a drug that is useless."

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 18 he had been taking hydroxychloroquine for almost two weeks as a preventive measure against COVID-19.