Question: How does WHO view the use of antiretrovirals to treat COVID-19?

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: HIV, antiretrovirals and COVID-19
section_headers: What is WHO’s position on the use of antiretrovirals for the treatment of COVID-19?
section_content: Currently, there is insufficient data to assess the effectiveness of LPV/r or
other antivirals for treating COVID-19. Several countries are evaluating the
use of LPV/r and other antivirals and we welcome the results of these
investigations.
Again, as part of WHO’s response to the outbreak, the
WHO R&D Blueprint
has been activated to accelerate evaluation of diagnostics,
vaccines and therapeutics for this novel coronavirus. WHO has also designed a
set of procedures to assess the performance, quality and safety of medical
technologies during emergency situations.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Gives a clear response about the WHO's view of using antiretrovirals to treat coronavirus.
Provides info the average reader can easily understand about WHO's current stance and provides a relevant link for more information.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: HIV, antiretrovirals and COVID-19
section_headers: Can antiretrovirals be used to treat COVID-19?
section_content: Several studies have suggested that patients infected with the virus causing
COVID-19, and the related coronavirus infections (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV) had
good clinical outcomes, with almost all cases recovering fully. In some cases,
patients were given an antiretroviral drug: lopinavir boosted with ritonavir
(LPV/r). These studies were mostly carried out in HIV-negative individuals.
It is important to note that these studies using LPV/r had important
limitations. The studies were small, timing, duration and dosing for treatment
were varied and most patients received co-interventions/co-treatments which
may have contributed to the reported outcomes.
While the evidence of benefit of using antiretrovirals to treat coronavirus
infections is of very low certainty, serious side effects were rare. Among
people living with HIV, the routine use of LPV/r as treatment for HIV is
associated with several side effects of moderate severity. However, as the
duration of treatment in patients with coronavirus infections was generally
limited to a few weeks, these occurrences can be expected to be low or less
than that reported from routine use.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Discusses studies of antiretroviral treatments for coronavirus, and makes it clear that available evidence is limited.
Does not "read well". The first sentence is missing qualifiers that link it to the original question. The wording throughout is cumbersome and confusing at times.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Bad

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: HIV, antiretrovirals and COVID-19
section_headers: Can antiretrovirals be used to prevent COVID-19 infection?
section_content: Two studies have reported the use of LPV/r as post-exposure prophylaxis for
SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. One of these studies suggested that the occurrence of
MERS-CoV infection was lower among health workers receiving LPV/r compared to
those who did not receive any drugs; the other study found no cases of SARS-
CoV infection among 19 people living with HIV hospitalized in the same ward of
SARS patients, of whom 11 were on antiretroviral therapy. Again, the certainty
of the evidence is very low due to small sample size, variability in drugs
provided, and uncertainty regarding intensity of exposure.  

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Discusses evidence about the efficacy of antiretrovirals used as a preventative treatment for coronavirus.
Provides good detailed relevant information in answer to the question and cautions against extrapolating conclusions from limited data.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent