title: Ethical issues in pharmacoepidemiological research in Belgium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To illustrate the ethical issues faced in pharmacoepidemiological research in Belgium.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experience with three studies is described. The studies concern the use of drugs for euthanasia in medical practice, cytomegalovirus infection in single solid organ transplants and a comparison of benzodiazepine use in the general population and in acute self-poisoning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With some creativity, it was possible to meet the requirements of the ethics committees and the law on computer databases, e.g. by bringing data validation closer to the data entry process, by assuring anonymity in mailing procedures, or by deleting identification labels as soon as they are no longer necessary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The existing juridical vacuum has not really impeded pharmacoepidemiological research.
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Biology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. alain.verstraete@rug.ac.be
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Verstraete
authors: R H
authors: RH
authors: Vander Stichele
authors: L H
authors: LH
authors: Deliens
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001675:Bioethics; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005065:Euthanasia; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D018907:Privacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012106:Research / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines