October 28, 2020

the Platform Randomised trial of INterventions against COVID-19 In older peoPLE (PRINCIPLE) trial

PRINCIPLE is a nationwide, randomised controlled trial run by scientists at the University of Oxford to evaluate potential COVID-19 treatments for the over 50s in the community.  This trial is investigating treatments that would be able to be taken at home by people with mild disease, rather than in-hospital treatments for those with severe disease.  More than 1,300 people have been recruited to date from across the UK.

The treatments the PRINCIPLE trial is currently investigating are: usual care; usual care + azithromycin (a commonly used antibiotic); and usual care + doxycycline (a commonly used antibiotic).

This background briefing gave journalists an opportunity to hear from the scientists leading the trial, about how it is being run, and the outcomes the scientists are investigating.

Speakers included:

Prof Chris Butler, Co-Lead of the PRINCIPLE Trial, and Professor of Primary Care, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Services, University of Oxford

Prof Richard Hobbs, Co-Lead of the PRINCIPLE Trial, Nuffield Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences, Director of the NIHR English School for Primary Care Research, and Director of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration, University of Oxford

Dr Kome Gbinigie, Co-Investigator of the PRINCIPLE Trial, and GP

Prof Philip Evans, National Speciality Lead for Primary Care, National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network