The World Health Organization (WHO) has for the second time stopped the use of an antimalarial drug, hydroxychloroquine on severely ill Covid-19 patients.

Data from the French Discovery trial and the recently announced results from the UK's Recovery trial both showed that hydroxychloroquine does not result in the reduction of mortality of hospitalised Covid-19 patients - when compared with standard of care.

"Patients who have already started hydroxychloroquine but who have not yet finished their course in the trial may complete their course or stop at the discretion of the supervising physician," read part of a statement from the WHO.

Principal investigators will also not randomise further patients to hydroxychloroquine in the solidarity trial.

Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control had continued the use of the drug despite the first suspension by WHO.