RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Accessing unproven interventions in the COVID-19 pandemic: discussion on the ethics of ‘compassionate therapies’ in times of catastrophic pandemics JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 1000 OP 1005 DO 10.1136/medethics-2020-106783 VO 48 IS 12 A1 Shlomit Zuckerman A1 Yaron Barlavie A1 Yaron Niv A1 Dana Arad A1 Shaul Lev YR 2022 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/48/12/1000.abstract AB Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an array of off-label interventions has been used to treat patients, either provided as compassionate care or tested in clinical trials. There is a challenge in determining the justification for conducting randomised controlled trials over providing compassionate use in an emergency setting. A rapid and more accurate evaluation tool is needed to assess the effect of these treatments. Given the similarity to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) pandemic in Africa in 2014, we suggest using a tool designed by the WHO committee in the aftermath of the EVD pandemic: Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Investigational Interventions (MEURI). Considering the uncertainty around SARS-CoV-2, we propose using an improved MEURI including the Plan–Do–Study–Act tool. This combined tool may facilitate dynamic monitoring, analysing, re-evaluating and re-authorising emergency use of unproven treatments and repeat it in cycles. It will enable adjustment and application of outcomes to clinical practice according to changing circumstances and increase the production of valuable data to promote the best standard of care and high-quality research—even during a pandemic.Data sharing not applicable as no datasets generated and/or analysed for this study. No datasets generated or analysed for this study.