An anti-inflammatory drug (similar to chloroquine) that is used to treat malaria and arthritis.
Hydroxychloroquine became controversial when it was touted by among others United States President Donald Trump as a successful treatment for COVID-19, without having any evidence to support the claim. Trump said he was taking it to “prevent” possible COVID-19 disease. Stocks of the drug ran out worldwide leaving patients, with specific health problems for which the drug is prescribed, without their medication. Further research showed unequivocally that hydroxychloroquine is not effective in treating COVID-19, and can in fact do more harm than good, causing potentially fatal heart arrhythmia, which is particularly concerning among patients with an underlying cardiac condition. The story of hydroxychloroquine is a good example of how even the best, and most scientifically rigorous publications and top academics sometimes make mistakes.
TIP: Journalists should never take information at face value. They should be skeptical, check sources, and be aware of people seeking to profit from medical science. See more on the story here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/04/covid-19-lancet-retracts-paper-that-halted-hydroxychloroquine-trials