The PROLIFIC Study: ChemoPROphyLaxIs For covId-19 infeCtious disease

Recruitment of participants to the PROLIFIC trial is currently suspended. This is in accordance with MHRA instructions in relation to the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat or prevent coronavirus (COVID-19).

The availability of personal protective equipment is limited and reports of high risk procedures such as aerosol generating procedures (e.g. intubation for the sickest patients) is a source of great concern for infection transmission.

Frontline NHS staff with direct patient contact have the highest likelihood of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and development of COVID-19 disease. Efforts to protect these workers from development of COVID-19, using drugs to prevent the disease, require urgent evaluation.

The aim of the Prolific study is to determine whether Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) offered prophylactically in frontline healthcare workers increases time to COVID-19 disease. This double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial will compare a daily and weekly dosing scheme against placebo in a cohort of high risk for COVID-19 healthcare workers in UK hospitals who fulfil the inclusion criteria for participation.

This study has been made possible through the generous support of the Evolution Education Trust, which funds education and research projects in the science of genetics, biodiversity and the Principles of Evolution, including development and delivery of therapeutic solutions for a public health benefit.

• Study protocol
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT number): NCT04352933
• European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT) number: 2020-001331-26