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Medication of Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and Convalescent Plasma during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany—An Ethical Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Katja Voit

    (Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, 89073 Ulm, Germany)

  • Cristian Timmermann

    (Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, 89073 Ulm, Germany)

  • Florian Steger

    (Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, 89073 Ulm, Germany)

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the ethical challenges in experimental drug use during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, using Germany as a case study. In Germany uniform ethical guidelines were available early on nationwide, which was considered as desirable by other states to reduce uncertainties and convey a message of unity. The purpose of this ethical analysis is to assist the preparation of future guidelines on the use of medicines during public health emergencies. The use of hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir and COVID-19 convalescent plasma in clinical settings was analyzed from the perspective of the ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and autonomy. We observed that drug safety and drug distribution during the pandemic affects all four ethical principles. We therefore recommend to establish ethical guidelines (i) to discuss experimental treatment options with patients from all population groups who are in urgent need, (ii) to facilitate the recording of patient reactions to drugs in off-label use, (iii) to expand inclusion criteria for clinical studies to avoid missing potentially negative effects on excluded groups, and (iv) to maintain sufficient access to repurposed drugs for patients with prior conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Katja Voit & Cristian Timmermann & Florian Steger, 2021. "Medication of Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and Convalescent Plasma during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany—An Ethical Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-16, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5685-:d:562353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Doshi & Tom Jefferson & Chris Del Mar, 2012. "The Imperative to Share Clinical Study Reports: Recommendations from the Tamiflu Experience," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(4), pages 1-6, April.
    2. Travis K. Warren & Robert Jordan & Michael K. Lo & Adrian S. Ray & Richard L. Mackman & Veronica Soloveva & Dustin Siegel & Michel Perron & Roy Bannister & Hon C. Hui & Nate Larson & Robert Strickley , 2016. "Therapeutic efficacy of the small molecule GS-5734 against Ebola virus in rhesus monkeys," Nature, Nature, vol. 531(7594), pages 381-385, March.
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