The National Health Research Ethics Committee in Nigeria has approved the use of the experimental Ebola drug, Zmapp, for treatment of patients infected with the virus.
Professor Clement Adebamowo, chairman of the committee disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, the committee’s decision comes on the heels of Tuesday’s approval by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that Zmapp can be used in the treatment of Ebola patients in the unusual situation.
“It is ethical to use these treatments in the current situation without first submitting an application to National, State or Institutional Health Research Ethics Committee for prior review and approval.
“In addition, the Committee waives the current requirement that international shipment of any biological samples out of Nigeria should be preceded by the establishment of a Materials Transfer Agreement.
“This waiver is to promote rapid international response to this global emergency,” the statement says.
According to the statement, the documentation can form the basis for clinical trials of the efficacy and side effects of the treatment according to established scientific principles and the ethics committee enjoins all agencies, development partners and research scientists to follow the guideline for the rapid resolution of the current emergency.
“The guideline will contribute to preparedness in case of future occurrences and contribution to scientific knowledge.
“It must be noted that all Phase O and Phase I Clinical Trials that may subsequently be designed for treatment of this infection can be approved only by the National Health Research Ethics Committee,” it said.
Makers of the experimental Ebola drug however said on Monday that its supply has been exhausted after the company provided doses to a West African nation.
Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc. said in a brief online statement it had complied with every request for the drug that had the necessary legal and regulatory authorization. The company said it provided the drug, called ZMapp, at no cost in all cases.
San Diego-based Mapp didn’t name any countries that requested the drug and didn’t release additional details.
In a statement Monday, the office of Liberia’s president said the U.S. planned to deliver sample doses of an “experimental serum” to Liberia later this week to treat Liberian doctors infected with Ebola.
