The trial, under the World Health Organization (WHO), will see data collected from across the world on the safety and effectiveness of Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Interferon beta, Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for this purpose.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the trial will begin in nine government hospitals throughout the country, led by Penang Hospital infectious disease consultant Dr Chow Ting Soo and 16 other physicians and pharmacists.

“Malaysia’s participation in this worldwide trial could help find life-saving medicines for Covid-19 through evaluating their safety and effectiveness,” he said in a statement today.

The nine hospitals at which the trial will be held are the Kangar and Alor Setar hospitals, Penang General, Sungai Buloh, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Kuantan hospitals, Sarawak General and Queen Elizabeth II in Sabah.

There have been 3,662 cases of Covid-19 so far, with 2,596 receiving treatment and 1,005 discharged.