>> Until there's a double blind placebo trial I will take this type of report with a truck load of salt.

You're welcome to. The remainder of the world should have the choice. Some people can't - or don't - want to wait for an RCT with a sample size in the thousands before taking a cheap and well-known drug with well-tolerated side effects.

Do no harm. This is the first line for a reason and when we deviate from strong evidence we will always find regret. If you've talked with your physician and understand the risks, be my guest.

Until we've done a double blind placebo trial we won't even be able to demonstrate efficacy.

To be fair, I don't think that he's saying it should be banned -- he's saying that we need a lot more testing before claiming this is a cure based on one study with a tiny number of participants. His statement is accurate.

And the quinine derivatives have some very subtle neurological effects that last a lifetime. Suicidal ideations -- for life and incurable -- are a well known side effect of mefloquine at least. Maybe this one doesn't have those effects, I don't know -- but there's a really good argument to do a lot of testing before taking this in any other than an in-extremis situation.

Bingo, we need nonbiased blinded drug trials otherwise the data could be seriously flawed. There's drug trials for reasons, and even in this pandemic we should respect the rationale for why we established those trials.

Also, I'm finding that this forum is full of incredibly intelligent individuals who demonstrate the a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It amazes me how often y'all will talk about medicine like you're experts but miss fundamental concepts. May points, like the other poster, sound awesome to lay people, but under the scrutiny of any medical professional would be laughed at.

Dunning-Kruger is a thing unfortunately.