Ethical issues in pharmacoepidemiological research in Belgium.
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.
Verstraete
A G
AG
Laboratory of Clinical Biology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. alain.verstraete@rug.ac.be
Vander Stichele
R H
RH
Deliens
L H
LH
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*
D001569:Benzodiazepines