A developing country response to Lavery et al. "In global health research, is it legitimate to stop clinical trials early on account of their opportunity costs?".
BACKGROUND
A recent paper presents an argument and mechanism for the possible stopping of clinical trials early based on opportunity costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Although we agree that the costs and opportunity costs of clinical trials need to be reduced wherever possible, we raise concerns about the motivation and mechanism for stopping clinical trials early raised by Lavery et al.


CONCLUSIONS
We argue that there are already enough acceptable criteria and actors in the clinical trials arena to justify early stoppage of clinical trials, and argue that factors other than efficacy need to be carefully considered, especially in developing country contexts.
Wassenaar
Douglas R
DR
Biomedical Research Ethics Committee, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. wassenaar@ukzn.ac.za
Ramjee
Gita
G
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / Q000191:economics; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics; D013019:South Africa
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents