PLACEBO CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIALS ARE AS ETHICAL AS ACTIVE CONTROLLED TRIALS EVEN IF EFFECTIVE THERAPIES EXIST

摘要

In recent years, placebo controlled clinical trials have often been considered unethical if effective therapies- are available when the trials are conducted. This concept was strengthened by the 2000 revision of the Declaration of Helsinki. This article discusses why placebo controlled clinical trials can be considered as ethical as active controlled trials, even if effective therapies are available for the medical conditions, concerned.