Ethical Issues Related to Study Design for Trials on Therapeutics for Ebola Virus Disease

This consultation report from the World Health Organization (WHO) draws from discussions between representatives of international organizations, government ministries, academic institutions, and the WHO Secretariat to consider a broad range of ethical issues related to the development and implementation of pandemic influenza preparedness and response plans. It highlights key values, emphasizing the importance of social justice and protecting the vulnerable, global justice, and equity in access to information. Logistically, it outlines the details of isolation,…

This report from the Oxford University Press balances the multiple factors taken into consideration when preparing for and responding to a public health emergency. Resource allocation and care for vulnerable populations require strategic decision-making and attention to ethical standards. With this in mind, the contributors outline best practices when responding to public health emergencies.

This technical paper asks essential and crucial questions needed when planning for a pandemic. It highlights how essential it is to plan to cope with a pandemic in order to mitigate its impact. Some of the key general ethical considerations highlighted are: balancing rights, interests, values, transparency, public engagement, social mobilization, information, education, and communication. Priority setting must be maintained while also considering human rights when planning for social distancing measures. Core governmental responsibilities include…