IEC review procedure
The IEC Secretary will schedule complete applications for an IEC meeting. Study documents will be circulated to IEC members before the scheduled meeting.
IEC members present at the meeting will decide on an individual study, and a decision will be communicated to the investigator. The decision may be:
- Study is approved or rejected
- Revision to the study outline may be required
- Additional or amended study documents are needed
In the event of a request for additional or amended documentation, updated study documents must be submitted by the investigator.
How to submit protocol amendments?
- During the trial, the investigator should provide to the IEC all documents that are subject to review. These include amendments made to the study protocol, patient information sheet, informed consent, advertisements, investigator’s brochure, etc.
- No deviations from, or changes of, the protocol should be initiated without prior written IEC approval/favourable opinion on an appropriate amendment, except where necessary to eliminate immediate hazards to the subjects or when the change(s) involve only logistical or administrative aspects of the trial, e.g., change of monitor(s), telephone number(s), etc.
Download Protocol Amendment Form (FORM - Protocol Amendment Application Form 2024_08)
For clinical trials, the investigator should promptly report the following changes to the IEC:
- Deviations from, or changes of, the protocol to eliminate immediate hazards to the trial subjects
- Changes increasing the risk to subjects and/or affecting significantly the conduct of the trial
- New information that may affect adversely the safety of the subjects or the conduct of the trial
- All adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that are both serious and unexpected affecting the subject
Download Protocol Deviation Reporting Form
Serious Adverse Event (SAE)/Serious Unexpected Adverse Event Reaction (SUSAR) reporting
In the occurrence of a serious adverse event, or serious unexpected adverse event reaction, the following processes must be strictly adhered to.
SAE/SUSAR -fatal/life threatening:
Initial report should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than seven calendar days from awareness of the event by the investigator, followed by a complete report within 8 additional calendar days.
All other SUSARs/SAEs – non-fatal or non-life-threatening:
No later than 15 calendar days from awareness of event by the investigator. For more detailed information, please contact the IEC Secretariat.
Download Serious Adverse Events Reporting Form ( FORM - IEC SJMC Serious Adverse Event (SAE) report 2024_08))
IEC Submission Timelines
IEC Submission Type
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Timeline
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New applications
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IEC will review a new application and give its decision within 60 working days from date of receipt of a valid and complete application
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Resubmission of modifications
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To be submitted within 60 days of IEC decision letter
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Amendments application
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For amendments which meet expedited criteria, IEC shall give an opinion within a maximum of 30 days of the date of receipt of the valid and complete proposed amendment submitted.
For amendments affecting significantly, it will be tabled at the next scheduled IEC meeting
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Disapproved applications
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Timeline for appeal submission is within 40 days of the disapproval letter.
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SAE/SUSAR -fatal/life threatening
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Initial report should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than seven calendar days from awareness of the event by the investigator, followed by a complete report within 8 additional calendar days.
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All other SUSARs/SAEs – non-fatal or non-life-threatening:
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No later than 15 calendar days from awareness of event by the investigator. For more detailed information, please contact the IEC Secretariat.
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Annual Progress Report
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To be submitted at least 30 days before expiry
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Research Study Closure Report
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To be submitted within 90 days after study completion/closure/termination
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Notification Process
Applicants will be notified by IEC SJMC of its decision in writing within 14 days from its review.
In cases of a full approval, a statement of responsibilities of the investigator is provided for Investigator to acknowledge. In cases of negative decisions (i.e rejected, termination), reasons are provided.
The Ethical approvals for new research projects are valid for 12 months from the date of issue of the IEC Decision Letter. An Annual Progress report application to IEC will have to be submitted 1 month before the Ethics approval expiry date.
When Modification Required decision is provided, the applicants must respond within 60 days from this notification to receive a full approval. The application will be closed if no response is received by IEC. A new application will need to be submitted if the applicant still would like to seek ethical approval.