The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said that in the particular circumstances of the Ebola disease outbreak and provided certain conditions are met, it is ethical to offer unproven interventions as potential treatment or prevention.
The WHO convened a consultation on Monday to consider and assess the ethical implications for clinical decision-making of the potential use of unregistered interventions. The panel reached the consensus that ethical criteria must guide the provision of such interventions.
These include transparency about all aspects of care, informed consent, freedom of choice, confidentiality, respect for the person, preservation of dignity and involvement of the community, according to a statement.
The large number of people affected by the West Africa outbreak and the high fatality rate have prompted calls to use investigational medical interventions.
