PRINCIPLE Trial

The Platform Randomised trial of INterventions against COVID-19 in older peoPLE (PRINCIPLE) trial will involve hundreds of GP practices across the UK and is one of three national priority clinical trials on COVID-19. PRINCIPLE will enable researchers to rapidly evaluate different treatments that could stem the progression of COVID-19 symptoms in older people and help ease the burden on hospitals.

Only those at most risk of complications from COVID-19 will be eligible to join the trial via participating GP surgeries. In the first instance, the trial is evaluating a drug called hydroxychloroquine. This drug is well known and has been used for many years around the world for conditions such as malaria and certain types of arthritis. The drug is not currently used to treat coronavirus infection because it is not yet known whether it is an effective treatment. The trial aims to answer this question. The antibiotic azithromycin will soon be added to the trial. PRINCIPLE aims to recruit over 3,000 people. This number will be increased if additional treatments are introduced and may also be adjusted in light of results that emerge during the course of the trial.