DURING a pandemic do the usual rules apply, and should the creator of a COVID-19 treatment or vaccine hold exclusivity, International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Ethics Group Chair, Associate Professor Betty Chaar, asks.
Speaking during an FIP webinar last week, the University of Sydney lecturer said the COVID crisis raised ethical questions about how any treatment or vaccine would be distributed.
"When it comes to medicines shortages, we're all familiar with shortages," she said.
"Simply not having enough of this treatment is going to be the fact that we will face, when we find this treatment or vaccine.
"In a pandemic is the whole world eligible to share the findings, or should we restrict access to the country that the treatment was found in?
"What about patents, do the rules still apply - 20 years of exclusivity to those who have found a new drug?
"Does it actually apply in a pandemic?
"I hope those rules change."
Chaar said health professional leaders needed to "have the moral courage to stand up and voice dissent if necessary", to ensure equity of access to a COVID treatment or vaccine.
She added that in the face of shortages pharmacists would have to prioritise, but stressed decisions should not be made on a "gut feeling".
"It needs to be reflected on very carefully," she said.
"It's important to reflect on our values, which set us apart from a trader or a politician.
"We need to find clinical criteria upon which to rely on to prioritise.
"In the meantime, if we do have to prioritise... you need to specify, communicate clearly and adhere to your own criteria.
"You can't apply some criteria to some stranger, but then if a family member rocks up or is sick, change that a little bit and break the rules.
"As professionals we will need to adhere to our own criteria, because random choices in such times could cost us our reputation and our professions."
During the webinar, Chaar said the COVID crisis had provided opportunities for pharmacies to "step up" to support their communities.
She also voiced support for pharmacist prescribing saying it was the profession's "time to shine."
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