Geneva [Switzerland] August 12 (ANI/FENA): The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that it will soon test three drugs used for other diseases to find out if they can help patients with coronavirus.

The UN Public Health Agency said in a statement today that the three drugs would be included in the next phase of the current global study of potential treatments for COVID-19.

Also Read | ‘Virginity Tests’ on Female Recruits Stopped By Indonesian Army; Human Rights Groups Welcome The Decision.

The drugs were selected by an independent commission based on the likelihood that they could prevent deaths in people hospitalized for coronavirus.

These include artesunate, a malaria drug, the cancer drug imatinib, and infliximab, which is currently used in people with immune system disease.

Also Read | India Has Key Role to Play in Contributing to Diversification of Global Supply Chain, Says Singapore Deputy PM Heng Swee Keat.

The current WHO study on COVID-19 treatments previously included four drugs. Among the findings, the agency found that remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine did not help people hospitalized for coronavirus. The WHO survey includes thousands of investigators in hundreds of hospitals in 52 countries.

"Finding more effective and affordable drugs for patients with COVID-19 remains crucial," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. (ANI/FENA)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)