Not ready to use Ebola drug in Africa

A Canadian drugmaker working on an experimental drug for Ebola said Wednesday that it is not ready to make the treatment available in Africa, despite assurances by international health officials that it is ethical to use untested treatments to fight the deadly outbreak.

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp. said that the "regulatory framework" for giving its drug to patients in Africa is not clear, given that the drug's safety and effectiveness has not been established.

"There can be no assurance that an appropriate framework for the use of this product will be found," said CEO Mark Murray on a call with investors and analysts. "Given the severity of the situation, we are carefully evaluating options for use of our investigational drug within accepted clinical and regulatory protocols."

Murray said the company is continuing discussions with governments and international agencies trying to contain the outbreak, including the World Health Organization. 

--- The AP