Reviewing the Ethical Concerns of the Convalescent Plasma Therapy in COVID-19

Abstract

The understanding of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is evolving periodically. There is also a marked increase in COVID-19 patients’ demand for the provision of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) therapy. With the review of the literature, the stage of speculation is quickly moving towards conformity, with the interim guidelines given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, United Kingdom’s blood transfusion services, Saudi’s FDA, and the Indian Council for Medical Research, in addition to the European health authorities. It is prudent to address the ethical concerns that merit consideration while harvesting and utilizing CCP as a therapeutic tool in local hospital setting.

Keywords

• asymptomatic carriers
• ethical concerns
• blood donation
• blood safety
• blood transfusion services
• convalescent plasma
• covid-19
• regular screening