Canterbury Mornings

Critically ill COVID-19 patients in New Zealand will be given anti-malaria drug hydroxychlorquine as part of a trial to find a potential cure.The trial led by Auckland City Hospital intensive care specialist Dr Colin McArthur is one of 13 given more than 3.8 million dollars of government funding for COVID-19 research.McArthur told Chris Lynch there's no evidence at the moment for its routine use and it does have some side effects.He says they'll be looking at the balance between the side effects and the benefits it provides patients.