Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee (EC) of the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (IHBT) is an independent committee appointed by the Director of the IHBT in Prague, which oversees that the rights of all persons treated in this Institute, all persons participating in its clinical trials as well as pre and post-graduate students are ensured and that the dignity, safety and welfare of these persons is maintained.

The Committee assesses ethical issues relating to proposed studies and trials and issues standpoints regarding all clinical evaluations conducted in the IHBT. The EC supervises the course of clinical evaluations, especially from the aspect of the safety and legal rights of the subjects evaluated.

The EC meets at least once every three months or more frequently if necessary. Each meeting discusses all applications submitted at least 7 days before the given meeting. The EC meetings may also be attended by invited guests and the negotiations are not public. Written minutes are taken during every meeting, which also include a record of the decisions taken by the EC. The EC provides the applicant and the State Institute for Drug Control with its written standpoint within 10 days in the case of clinical evaluations and within 7 days in the case of appendices or amendments.

The members of the EC include physicians as well as healthcare professionals and persons with no healthcare or scientific background. At least one member is not an employee or otherwise associated with the IHBT.