Ever since Donald Trump's administration recommended hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drugs for the treatment of Covid-19, there has been a controversy in many parts of the world. Some latest studies have claimed that the drug is not only useless but is also harmful in that it increases the chances of death if administered to a Covid-19 patient.

On the other hand, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that hydroxychloroquine "reduces the chances of getting infected with Covid-19". On Friday, the ICMR said in an advisory that HCQ can be used "as a preventive treatment against Covid-19". Surveillance workers, paramilitary/police personnel, and medical staff working in Covid hospitals can consume the drug.

What is the layman to make of all this? On the one hand, a study from a Western country recently declared that HCQ is harmful. On the other hand, ICMR and the Trump administration hold the opposite view.

As per some on social media, there might be a conspiracy in a few of the western countries to project HCQ as dangerous. Why would they do so? The pharmaceutical lobby could be at work. Some pharma companies might be wanting to sell an expensive drug and that's why they are working to project HCQ as a life-threatening drug.

When are we going to know the truth? Nobody knows!