A Systematic Review of Ebola Treatment Trials to Assess the Extent to Which They Adhere to Ethical Guidelines

Thomas Richardson, Andrew McDonald Johnston and Heather Draper

PLOS ONE, 2017, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: Background: Objective: To determine to what extent each trial met criteria specified in three research frameworks for ethical trial conduct. Methods and findings: Data sources: MEDBASE and EMBASE databases were searched using a specific search strategy. The Cochrane database for systematic reviews, the PROSPERO database and trial registries were examined. A grey literature search and citation search were also carried out. Conclusions: Some limited and appropriate deviation from standard research expectations in disaster situations is increasingly accepted. However, this is not an excuse for poor ethics oversight and international regulations are in place which should not be ignored. New guidelines are needed that better define the boundaries between using medicines for compassionate use and conducting a clinical trial. Greater support should be offered for local research ethics committees in affected areas so that they can provide robust ethical review. Further systematic reviews should be carried out in epidemics of any novel infectious diseases to assess if comparable findings arise.

Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0168975

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168975

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