§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) local medical research ethics committees, (b) members on each committee and their qualifications and (c) clinical trials each one has authorised in the last five years; and if he will place a summary of the result of each trial in the Library. [73239]
§ Ms JowellThe latest available list of Local Research Ethics Committees (LRECs) has been placed in the Library. Information about LREC members, and clinical trials authorised by LRECs is available only from health authorities.
Since 1991, LRECs are established under Departmental guidance. Each health authority is required to set up at least one LREC, and there are approximately 211 operating in England. In addition, Multi-Centre Research Ethics Committees (MRECs) were established in 1997 and there is one MREC attached to each English region, one in Scotland and one in Wales.
577WLRECs have eight to twelve members and should include hospital medical staff, nursing staff, general practitioners and lay persons who are appointed in a personal capacity and recognised for their experience and sound judgment in their respective fields. MRECs have 15 to 18 members from similar backgrounds to LREC members (some may also be serving LREC members).
Information about clinical trials authorised by an LREC is available from the annual report which each is required to submit to the health authority. These annual reports should also name the members and give details of the number of research proposals considered. MRECs submit their annual reports to the my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, which must include a list of proposals considered. MRECs considered about 600 applications in 1998.
To achieve greater coherence and uniformity of practice in the operation of Research Ethics Committees we are currently conducting a review of the system as a whole.