In early 2020 there were no approved anti-viral treatments for COVID, and WHO expert groups advised that four re-purposed drugs, Remdesivir, Lopinavir (given with Ritonavir, to slow hepatic degradation), Interferon (β1a), and chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine should be evaluated in an international randomised trial. WHO has provided guidelines that local physicians may consider when COVID-19 is suspected on clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection.