How to Conduct Clinical Trial during an Epidemic - Lessons from the WHO Solidarity Trial

摘要

The Covid-19 pandemic has been the greatest challenge facing doctors and scientists over the last one year. This new virus with no known therapy or vaccine wreaked havoc all over the world with high mortality among the elderly and those with certain chronic conditions. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) started an international trial on treatment options for Covid-19: Solidarity. An interim result was published in the NEJM on December 2, 2020. The process of conducting this trial during on emerging pandemic is a good case study for future medical researchers. Here, certain salient points of this trial will be highlighted.