British Medical Journal has questioned the logic of using hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19

The weekly peer-reviewed British Medical Journal has questioned
the logic of using hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19. Especially without any clinical trials to validate the anti-malaria drug's efficacy against the novel coronavirus disease.
In an editorial, BMJ points out that many laboratory trials which had shown promise but failed during clinical trials. It summarises the shortcomings of various preprint studies which claim that the drug can be used for COVID-19 treatment. The shortcomings include the small number of test subjects used during these studies.
Clinical trials are crucial to figure out if a drug works as well as its potentially harmful side effects. Adverse side effects in the case of hydroxychloroquine include liver failure, erratic heartbeat, and skin problems.
While US President Donald Trump swears by its safety & efficacy. The Indian Council of Medical Research too has advocated its use to treat COVID-19. Adverse reactions from hydroxychloroquine has been suspected to cause the death of an Indian doctor treating COVID-19 patients.