Abstract
The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the effectiveness of
chloroquine in treating coronavirus, in general not only novel
coronavirus (COVID¬-19), by pooling the results of randomized controlled
clinical trials (RCTs). Only 28 publications were identified; none of
which was a RCT. Identified studies were published between 1987 and
March 15, 2020. Of these 28 publications, 7 were published in 2020 and
discussed the effectiveness of chloroquine against COVID-19. In
conclusion, this meta-analysis could not prove that chloroquine is an
effective treatment against coronavirus in general or COVID-19 in
particular. Expanded access trials should be encouraged especially that
chloroquine is available, cheap and relatively safe drug.