**6. Conclusions**

The small number of studies included in this systematic review and meta-analysis study did not reveal any statistically significant advantage in the e fficacy of LPV/RTV in COVID-19 patients, over no antiviral or other antiviral treatments. In terms of safety, this study found a greater number of adverse events reported in LPV/RTV arm versus no antiviral treatment (conventional) or umifenovir arms, respectively. There is a general understanding of the need to conduct large randomized clinical trials to determine the e fficacy and safety of LPV/RTV in the treatment of COVID-19. Ideally, these studies should be double-blinded and conducted in a wide range of settings.

**Author Contributions:** M.T. conceived the study and, together with S.A. and A.A.M. designed and performed the study. The statistical analysis was performed by S.A. and the manuscript was written and reviewed by S.A., M.T., A.A.M., Z.A.A., N.A. and A.R.Z.Z. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** We would like to thank sauthors and their colleagues who contributed to the availability of evidence needed to compile this article. We would also like to thank the reviewers for very useful comments and suggestions for improving the paper.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
