Ethics Committee Government Dental College& Hospital Raipur, Chhattisgarh-492001 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Address for Correspondence Member Secretary, Ethics Committee Government Dental College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh-492001 Page 1 Standard Operating Procedure CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Formation & Composition 3. Role 4. Quorum requirements 5. Offices 6. Independent consultants 7. Application Procedures 8. Documentation 9. Review procedures 10. Expedited review 11. Decision-making 12. Communicating the decision 13. Appeal 14. Fees 15. Record keeping Page 2 1. Introduction All research in human subject is now guided by the principles given in the Declaration of Helsinki. This is also the basis of good clinical research practices (GCP) adopted by the international conference on harmonization (ICH).The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also issued ethical guidelines for research on human subjects. They also form a part of the GCP guidelines issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of the Ministry of Health, Government of India. Putting into practice these principles, a Standard Operating Procedure is formulated for the functioning of the Ethics Committee (EC). The objective of this SOP is to ascertain a quality and consistent ethical review mechanism for health and biomedical research on human subjects. 2. Formation & Composition The EC shall be constituted by the Dean/Principal, Government Dental College, Raipur as per the ICMR guidelines for Human research. The tenure of the EC shall be for a period of 3 years. At the end of 3 years the committee shall be reconstituted. However, Principal, Government Dental College, Raipur will have the power to reconstitute the EC before the completion of scheduled tenure. A member may be replaced in the event of death or long-term non-availability or for any action not commensurate with the responsibilities laid down in the guidelines deemed unfit for a member. A member may tender resignation from the committee with proper reasons to do so. All members shall maintain absolute confidentiality of all discussions during the Meeting. Conflict of interest is to be declared by members of the EC. 3. Role EC will review and approve all types of research proposals involving human participants with a view to safeguard the dignity, rights, safety and well being of all actual and potential research participants. The EC will review research proposals submitted by personnel affiliated to Government Dental College, Raipur. The goals of research, however important, shall never be permitted to override the health and well being of the research subjects. The EC will take care that all the cardinal principles of research ethics viz. Autonomy, Beneficence, Non -malfeasance and Justice are taken care of in planning, conduct and reporting of the proposed research. For this purpose, it Page 3 will look into the aspects of informed consent process, risk benefit ratio, distribution of burden and benefit and provisions for appropriate compensations wherever required. It will review the proposals before start of the study as well as monitor the research throughout the study until and after completion of the study through appropriate well documented procedures for example annual reports, final reports and site visits etc. The committee will also examine compliance with all regulatory requirements, applicable guidelines and laws. The mandate of the ECs will be to review all research projects involving human subjects to be conducted at the Institute, irrespective of the funding agency. The role of EC can be modified according to the requirement of each Institute 4. Quorum requirements The minimum of 5 members are required to compose a quorum. All decisions will be taken in meetings and not by circulation of project proposals. 5. Offices The meeting of the EC will be held on the third week of every month. The member secretary can also convene a meeting (apart from the scheduled meeting) after consultation with the chairperson. The Chairperson will conduct all meetings of the EC. If for reasons beyond control, the Chairperson is not available, an alternate Chairperson will be elected from the members by the members present, who will conduct the meeting. The Member Secretary is responsible for organizing the meetings, maintaining the records and communicating with all concerned. He/she will prepare the minutes of the meetings and get it approved by the Chairman before communicating to the researchers with the approval of the appropriate authority. 6. Independent consultants EC may call upon subject experts as independent consultants who may provide special review of selected research protocols, if need be. 7. Application Procedures All proposals should be submitted along with the relevant documents. A cover letter duly signed by the Principal Investigator (PI) and forwarded by the Head of the Departments should be submitted to the EC. 10 copies of the proposal along with the documents should be enclosed with application. The date of meeting will be intimated to the researcher, to be present, if necessary to offer clarifications. The decision will be communicated in writing. If revision is to be made, the revised document in required Page 4 number of copies should be submitted within a stipulated period of time as specified in the communication or before the next meeting. 8. Documentation For a thorough and complete review, all research proposals should be submitted with the following documents: 1. Name of the applicant with designation 2. Name of the Department/ Field area where research will be conducted. 3. Approval of the Head of the Department 4. Protocol of the proposed research 5. Ethical issues in the study and plans to address these issues. 6. Proposal should be submitted with all relevant enclosures like proforma, case report forms, questionnaires, follow - up cards, etc. 7. Informed consent process, including patient information sheet and informed consent form in local language(s). 8. For any drug / device trial, all relevant pre-clinical animal data and clinical trial data from other centres within the country / countries, if available. 9. Curriculum vitae of Principal Investigator (PI). 10. Any regulatory clearances required. 11. Source of funding and financial requirements for the project. 12. Other financial issues including those related to insurance 13. An agreement to report only Serious Adverse Events (SAE) to EC. 14. Statement of conflicts of interest, if any. 15. Agreement to comply with the relevant national and applicable international guidelines. 16. A statement describing any compensation for study participation (including expenses and access to medical care) to be given to research participants; a description of the arrangements for indemnity, if applicable (in study-related injuries); a description of the arrangements for insurance coverage for research participants, if applicable; all significant previous decisions(e.g., those leading to a negative decision or modified protocol) by other ECs or regulatory authorities for the proposed study (whether in the same location or Page 5 elsewhere) and an indication of the modification(s) to the protocol made on that account. The reasons for negative decisions should be provided. 17. Plans for publication of results – positive or negative- while maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the study participants. 18. Any other information relevant to the study 9. Review procedures The meeting of the EC shall be held on scheduled intervals as prescribed and additional meetings may be held as and when the proposals are received for review. The proposals will be sent to members at least 2 weeks in advance. Decisions will be taken by consensus after discussions, and whenever needed voting will be done. Researchers will be invited to offer clarifications if need be. Independent consultants/Experts may be invited to offer their opinion on specific research proposals if needed. The decisions will be minuted and Chairperson’s approval taken in writing. 10. Expedited review All revised proposals, unless specifically required to go to the main committee, will be examined in a meeting of identified members convened by the Chairman to expedite decision making. Expedited review may also be taken up in cases of nationally relevant proposals requiring urgent review. The nature of the applications, amendments, and other considerations that will be eligible for expedited review should be specified. 11. Decision-making Members will discuss the various issues before arriving at a consensus decision. A member will withdraw from the meeting during the decision procedure concerning an application where a conflict of interest arises and this will be indicated to the chairperson prior to the review of the application and recorded in the minutes. Decisions will be made only in meetings where quorum is complete. Only members can make the decision. The expert consultants will only offer their opinions. Decision may be to approve, reject or revise the proposals. Specific suggestions for modifications and reasons for rejection will be given. In cases of conditional decisions, clear suggestions for revision and the procedure for having the application re-reviewed will be specified. Modified proposals may be reviewed by an expedited review through identified members. 12. Communicating the decision Page 6 Decision will be communicated by the Member Secretary in writing. Suggestions for modifications, if any, will be sent by EC. Reasons for rejection will be informed to the researchers. 13. Appeal If a proposal is rejected by the committee, the Principal Investigator may appeal within 3 months for a fresh review after providing necessary justification for such consideration 14. Fees No fees will be charged by the EC for review of protocols. 15. Record keeping The following documents will be kept for this purpose: a. Copy of all study protocols with enclosed documents, progress reports, and SAEs. b. Minutes of all meetings duly signed by the Member Secretary. c. Copy of all existing relevant national and international guidelines on research ethics and laws along with amendments. d. Copy of all correspondence with members, researchers and other regulatory bodies. e. Final report of the approved projects. Member Secretary Ethics Committee Principal Government Dental College Page 7 Ethics Committee Members 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Padmashree (Dr.) A.T. Dabke Prof. (Dr.) R.K. Dubey Prof. (Dr.)Bhagwant Singh Dr. Rajesh Hrishikar Dr. Satendra Singh Dr. Virendra Vadher Sri Ashok Sahu Sri Kishore Jadwani - Chairperson Member Secretary Member Member Member Member Member Member Page 8 Government Dental College& Hospital Raipur, Chhattisgarh-492001 PROFORMA FOR INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE CLEARANCE OF STUDY/RESEARCH PROJECTS Note : 1. All columns should be clearly filled up. Use additional sheets, if necessary. 2. Send five copies of the proforma duly signed by the applicant. 1. Full title of the study/ Research Project 2 In case of MDS thesis/Ph.D Pattern of tooth loss, Prosthodontics status and treatment needs among the diabetic and non-diabetic patients 2.1 Name & signatures of the candidate 2.2 Department 2.3 Batch of admission to course 2.4 Month & year of submission of thesis 3. Name of the Principal Dr. Rajendra Kumar Dubey Investigator/Supervisor, Designation, address and Professor Department of Prosthodontics Page 9 4. 5. 6. signature Government Dental College, Raipur (C.G.) Name of the Co- Investigators /Cosupervisors, designation, address and 1.Dr. D. K. Gupta signature Department of Prosthodontics Government Dental College, Raipur (C.G.) Name of the department(s) where research is proposed to be carried out Department of Prosthodontics Name of the department(s) that None Lecturer Government Dental College, Raipur (C.G.) would collaborate in the project. 7. Name of outside institution(s) that would collaborate in the study. None 8. In case the study is multi-centric give details of all other centers, investigators etc. Not applicable 9. Name and address of agency proposed to fund the project/ study and whether any such grant No Page 10 is already available. Duration of the proposed study/project with phasing and limitations, if any. 10. 3months 11. Brief description of work to be undertaken, material methods etc. : 1. Objectives of the study/research project 2. Brief justification about need of study/research project 3. Methodology A. Number of Patients: B. Inclusion criteria a)______________________________________________ b)______________________________________________ c)______________________________________________ d)______________________________________________ Page 11 C. Exclusion criteria a)______________________________________________ b)______________________________________________ c)______________________________________________ d)______________________________________________ D. Control(s) E. Study design F. Dosages of drug G. Duration of treatment H. Investigation specifically related to projects I. Permission to use copyrighted Questionnaire/proforma J. Others 12. Permission from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) 1. Required required 2. Not 3. Received when: 4. Applied Anticipated risks involved in the implementation of the project and remedies suggested (This needs to be given in full details) 13. RISKS Procedural Adverse drug reaction due to investigational drug treatment Invasive investigation Any other risk Explain measure to counter/compensate the above risk factors Page 12 14. Are the necessary facilities available in the department where the research/study is proposed to be carried out? If so, give details thereof. Will patient/subject be sent to other places? Give reasons thereof. (letter of permission/willingness to cooperate from other department(s)/institution(s). 15. Details of facilities which are not available in the department and are proposed to be sought from other Department. (letter of permission/ willingness to cooperate from other department(s). 16. Details of facilities which are not available in Govt. Dental Dollege, Raipur, are to be availed of from other institution(s) (letter of permission/ willingness to cooperate from other institution(s). 17. A.Details of Costs Involved (Appx. in Rs.) Yes B. Who will bear the costs of the requirements? 1. Patient Exempted 2. Project 3. 4. Other Agencies (Name)_______________________ Page 13 A) Consent is necessary from the participating subject. A copy of proposed Consent Form in English and Hindi must be enclosed. 18. Consent form Does it have the name of the institution at the top Does it also have the name, address and telephone No. of the candidate and Guide/Investigators etc B) Patient Information Sheet informing patient about Freedom of individual to withdraw from research. Publication, if any including photograph and pedigree chart Duration of participation in study Benefit that may be expected as an outcome of research to the subject Alternative procedure or treatment if available. His right to prevent use of his/her biological sample(s) at any time during the conduct of research Foreseeable discomfort or risk to the subject Extent to which confidentiality of record could be maintained Responsibility of investigator Provision of compensation of risk C) Case Record Form 19. Whether clearance has been obtained from any other agency related to the proposed study/ project, if so details thereof. Page 14 20. Whether clearance is necessary from any other agency? If so, details thereof 21. Is there any provision to compensate the investigators/victims in case of mishaps? If so, details thereof. 22. In case the project is sponsored by a private agency, particularly a multinational agency having business interest in India, whether prior approval of the competent authority has been obtained? 23. Full justification of Project keeping in view the policies and programmes of the Government including details of current knowledge on the subject and therein. 24. Has the project been sent to any other Institution/Body for Ethical Clearance? If . yes, give details. 25. Any other information which may be useful for consideration of the project by the IEC 26. Attached documents; A. Covering letter, through proper channel. B. Copy of the detailed protocol is Page 15 mandatory C. Undertaking that the study shall be done in accordance with ICMR and GCP guidelines D. In case of multicentric study, IEC clearance of other centers must be provided E. Definite undertaking as to who will bear the expenditure of injury related to the project F. In case an insurance cover is intended, Insurance certificate must be provided (as per ICMR guidelines) G. Permission to use copyrighted Questionnaire/proforma H. In case of Clinical trials, proof of registration of Clinical trial with ICMR needs to be submitted I. Investigator should provide undertaking what they will do with the leftover sample tissue. G. Others: Permission letters and other necessary documents as per above mentioned Performa Page 16