Ethical issues

Every clinical trial requires careful assessment of whether it is ethically acceptable for patients to participate. Ethical considerations should be of continuing concern throughout the design and conduct of the trial. For the conduct of clinical trials in the UK, there is a very thorough process of both national and local Ethical Committee approval, designed to ensure protection of the patient. All clinical trials need to have their protocol approved by such a committee before the trial commences. The ethical committee approval places considerable emphasis on informed patient, or parent, consent.

The safety and wellbeing of the patient are paramount and must always take precedence over science and research.

>>>> Conduct of Clinical Trials/Research >>>>