The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7196 p597-604
4 May 2002

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Ethical safeguards needed for research in developing countries

Medical research in developing countries funded by organisations in wealthy countries must be subject to rigorous ethical safeguards, according to a report published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.

The report, "The ethics of research related to healthcare in developing countries" provides a framework for designing and conducting research in developing countries and makes recommendations for the ethical conduct of research. The report addresses three main topics: standards of care provided to participants, consent to participate in research and what happens when the research is over.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics considers that all countries should set national priorities related to their provision of health care. When externally sponsored research is proposed which falls outside the national priorities, its relevance must be justified to appropriate research ethics committees. In the report, it recommends that all sponsors of research ensure that education and training in the ethics of research is provided for all those professionals involved in research related to health.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics also recommends that developing countries produce their own national guidance to promote ethically sound research.

Copies of the report are available from the its website (www.nuffieldbioethics.org). Printed copies or a CD-ROM of the report can be obtained on request (e-mail bioethics@nuffieldbioethics.org).