Defence Force “guinea pigs” in clinical trials for COVID-19
Australian troops are volunteering as “guinea pigs” to test a possible vaccine for COVID-19. The clinical trials have begun and an anti-malaria drug is being tested as a preventive measure.
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We’ve sent them to fight overseas wars and to combat our bushfires and floods but now Australian Defence Force personnel are volunteering as guinea pigs to test a possible vaccine for COVID-19.
The ADF on Monday revealed more than 2200 personnel in every state and territory in Australia were now working for civilian authorities around-the-clock to combat the coronavirus spread.
But among them 42 members have volunteered for potentially the most dangerous mission joining clinical trials of anti-malaria drug chloroquine as a possible coronavirus vaccine.
The use of Defence personnel for the trials was granted by the ADF’s Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute, under controls set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and have now begun.
“Well controlled trials are urgently needed given the profound global impacts of this disease,” the ADF’s surgeon general Sarah Sharkey advised staff, adding those involved were carefully screened for inclusion.
They had also signed informed consent and were being monitored daily and told they can quit the trial at any time.
It is understood many of those involved are related to Defence’s healthcare division.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine had been around for sometime, and were safe, but now offered “promising” hope they could be used for coronavirus treatment and in overseas hospitals some COVID-19 patients were being given the drug, although its effectiveness has yet to be proved.
The FDA in the US has cautioned against the use of the drug outside a hospital or clinical trial due to risk of heart rhythm problems.
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The ADF trial was testing chloroquine as a means of stopping people contracting coronavirus rather than treating once caught.
The Defence Department said Monday the safety of members was paramount but the trials were “part of the whole-of-government response” to COVID-19 and “clear and urgent” need for good clinical trials was required by the nation.
This was particularly the case as global coronavirus cases Monday exceeded 3.55 million people infected and about 250,000 deaths.
“The Government is focused on slowing the spread of coronavirus to save lives and livelihoods,” a Defence spokesman said.
“The trial is seeking up to 700 civilian and Australian Defence Force (ADF) frontline healthcare workers and will examine whether this drug can prevent COVID-19. It is being tested as a preventive measure, not as a treatment.”
The spokesman confirmed 42 volunteer ADF healthcare participants had started the 14 week trial with Defence engaging with state and territory health authorities to seek volunteers for the trial.
“The trial is only seeking volunteers who are either civilian or ADF healthcare workers between the ages of 18 and 64,” the spokesman said, reinforcing that participation was entirely voluntary.
Two years ago ADF personnel deployed to Bougainville and East Timor effectively joined a trial of another antimalarial that later prompted complaints from veterans who suffered side effects such as psychosis, anxiety and depression with participants saying they felt pressured to be used as “guinea pigs”.
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Opposition defence spokesman and deputy Labor leader Richard Marles told News Corp Australia the ADF trials had to be ethical, conducted safely and be completely voluntary.
“It is important that those Defence personnel who participate in any drug trial are properly informed of the nature of the trial, and do so voluntarily,” he said on Monday.
“The health and safety of our defence personnel is paramount.”
Meanwhile, Australian Defence Force chief General Angus Campbell has written to all families of ADF members thanking them for their sacrifice as their loved ones get deployed across the country to boost civilian operations combating coronavirus.
He said these were “extraordinary times” and he understood the burden of service, mental and physical, on families; at least 35 ADF members had contracted the virus.
“The beginning of 2020 has certainly delivered a number of challenges from bushfires to the current health crisis, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) continues to be a critical component of efforts to keep Australians safe,” he said.
He said personnel’s parents, partners and children were showing great patience and resilience as COVID-19 continued to be “evolving rapidly and changing our everyday way of life”.
“I know much of the strength of our Australian Defence Force is due to the support families selflessly provide – thank you for the service you too give to our nation and its defence.”
Originally published as Defence Force “guinea pigs” in clinical trials for COVID-19