The covid-19 pandemic and related “infodemic” have highlighted the importance of quickly available and trustworthy guidance to inform policy and practice worldwide. The flood of new research, clinical trials, and other information makes it nearly impossible for any country or healthcare system to keep up-to-date and make timely decisions. New treatments for covid-19 exemplify the challenge: hydroxychloroquine and convalescent plasma were presented and perceived as game-changers with limited evidence and a lack of careful scrutiny regarding their benefit and harms to patients. We are at risk that a similar scenario repeats itself for new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.