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Tuesday, June 14th, 2005
A new and much expanded version of a booklet that gives guidance
to those overseeing research involving humans, including that into
new and innovative medicines, was published today.
Research ethics committees examine and review procedures in any
health and social care related areas to ensure that they are conducted
in an ethical and scientifically valid way. They are appointed by
the Government's UK Ethics Committee Authority.
The booklet, published by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry (ABPI), has been prepared with prospective and current
ethics committee members in mind, as well as pharmaceutical company
personnel involved in ethics committee applications.
"Ethics committees play a vital role in providing independent
scrutiny and oversight of clinical trials work. However, their activities
can sometimes seem daunting to newcomers, so the ABPI has produced
this publication to explain the process," said Dr Richard Tiner,
ABPI Medical Director.
The booklet explains the various terms used in clinical research
and also contains a useful list of websites as well as a comprehensive
set of appendices providing important reference documents.
Compiled by Dr Michael Goggin, a retired physician who is himself
a member of a research ethics committee, Introduction to the work
of research ethics committees in the United Kingdom is available,
priced £15, from the ABPI Publications Department, 12 Whitehall,
London SW1A 2DY; phone 020 7747 1446; email publications@abpi.org.uk
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