Question

How can one define the role of Press Councils in relation to ethical guidelines for drug development in Ebola?

Answer 1

Solution

The outbreak of Ebola virus took places in West African countries at the end of 2013 which later spread to USA and many other countries that result in declaration of public health emergency of international concern in the middle of 2014. Herein many undergoing clinical trials during that emergency period appear few ethical issues as well. In this aspect, WHO played a significant role in involving human participants that has to be approved by the WHO Research Ethics Review Committee (WHO-ERC). This international body has monitored the ethical issues on the stages of clinical trial during the course of drug development. Further WHO-ERC rules of procedure provide accelerated review for the public health emergency including Ebola outbreak. Few important roles of the council includes

1. Conducting the information session that includes WHO plans for different studies related to ebola virus disease, the drugs and vaccines that are likely to be evaluated owing to their specific property.

2. Carryout the clinical trials for drug development in ebola disease. Formulate all the technical procedures and subsequent follow up for checking the ethical issues.

3. The council members reviewed all the submission starting from the dosing to the individual till the conclusion of the study.

Hence the council has an important role to play on the ethical issues related to the development of the drug in ebola virus disease