WHO backs use of experimental Ebola drugs in West Africa outbreak

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

LONDON/GENEVA, Aug 12 (Reuters) – It is ethical to offer unproven drugs or vaccines to people infected or at risk in West Africa’s deadly Ebola outbreak, a World Health Organisation panel of medical ethics experts ruled on Tuesday, but cautioned supplies will be limited.

The panel said any provision of experimental Ebola medicines would require “informed consent, freedom of choice, confidentiality, respect for the person, preservation of dignity and involvement of the community”.

The drugs should also be properly tested in the best possible clinical trials, it said.

Source: Reuters (link opens in a new window)

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