Adaptive clinical trials in public health emergency contexts: ethics considerations

Abstract

While Adaptive Clinical Trials (ACTs) have grown in prevalence, prominence, and impact, the ethical issues implicit in such trial designs, particularly in the context of public health emergencies, have been afforded relatively scant attention. This work argues that the ethical dimensions of ACTs should be considered at trial conception, factored into the trial’s design, and subject to ongoing evaluation during the trial’s conduct.