The Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille and the Fondation Méditerranée Infection have reported a new controversial publication by Professor Didier Raoult to the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM).

The article, published in the August 2024 edition of Acta Scientific Microbiology, claims to demonstrate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19, based on data from 1,276 patients at the IHU in Marseille.

However, the methodology has been criticized for using unauthorized patient data and research.

This report is part of efforts to normalize operations at the IHU following Raoult's retirement.

Previously, the ANSM had taken legal action in November 2023 over another unauthorized study by Raoult and his team, who are suspected of conducting several unauthorized studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.