WMA "Clarifies" Helsinki Declaration

The World Medical Association issued a press release today concerning paragraph 30 of the Declaration, which reads that "At the conclusion of the study every patient entered into the study should be assured of access to the best proven prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic methods identified by the study." In what might be the most significant shift in the history of the Declaration, the WMA amended it to read: "The WMA hereby reaffirms its position that it is necessary during the study planning process to identify post-trial access by study participants to prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures identified as beneficial in the study or access to other appropriate care."