WHO endorses investigational Ebola compounds

The World Health Organization said in a statement that using investigational Ebola compounds that have not yet been evaluated for safety and efficacy in humans is ethical as long as certain conditions are met. An advisory committee said those conditions include transparency about informed consent and freedom of choice; confidentiality; patient respect; preservation of dignity; and community involvement. The group advised there was a "moral obligation to collect and share all data generated, including from treatments provided for 'compassionate use.'"

The group agreed that interventions should be evaluated in clinical trials to definitively prove their safety and efficacy or provide evidence to stop their use. The panel also noted the need for ethical discussion about obtaining data after use, how to prioritize use, and fair distribution. Distribution was cited as an important topic for discussion because it is unlikely that any of the new interventions would be able to meet the short-term demand. ...