India has never wavered from its faith in the drug as a treatment and a prophylactic for Covid-19. The decision was “taken based on a risk-benefit assessment.” Hydroxychloroquine is currently used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis has split world opinion on its use in Covid-19 management,   Indian Council of Medical Research and the Drug Controller General of India reviewed the clinical management protocol for Covid-19  and limited HCQ’s use to management of moderate patients, advising that it be avoided in patients with "severe disease.