Even under significant pressure, it is vital that researchers uphold the highest standards of research integrity to ensure the reliability of pandemic research results and to maintain public trust in science.

Research integrity scandals, such as the infamous hydroxychloroquine study, which suggested that a malaria drug combined with an antibiotic could fight COVID-19, can lead to harm and a loss of public trust in science. Both should be avoided, wherever possible, by maintaining high research integrity standards during pandemics.