Question

“Early studies of the medicine in COVID-19 patients have caught the attention of healthcare experts and market watchers. In France, a professor conducted a small study of the malaria drug in 24 patients with novel coronavirus infections. Of those who received the medicine, only 25% tested positive for the virus after six days, according to en24. Meanwhile, of those who didn't receive it, 90% tested positive after that timeframe. The French government now plans to run larger studies.” Retrieved on April 4 from https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/new-commitments-mylan-and-teva-move-to-supply-tens-millions-hydroxychloroquine-tablets-to

Dr. XYZ in Lebanon decides to test the drug and administers it to 225 patients with novel coronavirus infection. 54 patients tested positive for the virus after six days. Please help Dr. XYZ answer the following questions

Can Dr. XYZ conclude that in his trials the percent of patients taking the hydroxychloroquine (the malaria drug) is less than the reported 25% or is this difference due to chance? Test at the 0.05 significance level

Answer 1

We have sample proportion

Given population proportion P=25%= 0.25

Using the information we have

Hypothesis:

• H0: patients positive proportion for the virus after six days (P= 0.25)
• H1: patients positive proportion for the virus after six days (P< 0.25) left tail test

Significance Level: 0.05

Test Statistic:

Z= - 0.3464

Decision Rule: Reject H0 if |z| > 1.645

Test statistic |z| < 1.645

so do not reject H0

Conclusion:

Dr.XYZ conclude that in his trials the percent of patients taking the hydroxychloroquine (the malaria drug) is not less than the reported 25%  at the 0.05 significance level.