The mission of HKSTP CREC is to ensure research projects involving human subjects are operated by the core principles of research ethics; respect for persons, beneficence and non-maleficence, integrity, consent, confidentiality and privacy protection.
HKSTP CREC is responsible for:
All clinical research projects that meet the following criteria MUST obtain research ethics clearance from HKSTP CREC before commencement of any related activities including but not limited to subject recruitment, data collection/analysis, etc.
1) Meet the definition of Clinical Research - Any medical and health related (incl. psychological) systematic investigation, intended to produce knowledge valuable for understanding, detecting, controlling, preventing and treating health conditions.
2) Project is entirely or partially conducted on HKSTP premises (partially incl. subject recruitment or intervention or bio-sample manipulation or etc.)
3) Project requires obtaining consent from human subjects
Note: Projects with have obtained ethics approval from another independent CREC or IRB are still required to obtain ethics clearance (refer to section below on expedited review) from HKSTP CREC before commencing any research activities on HKSTP premises.
Ethics Review – is a peer review process is to ensure a proper balance between innovation and ethics. The review will consider, among other aspects --- the study design; provisions for minimizing risk; an appropriate balance of risks in relation to potential individual benefits for participants and the social value of the research; safety of the study site, medical interventions and monitoring safety during the study; and feasibility of the research. Scientifically unsound research involving humans is unethical in that it may expose them to risk or inconvenience for no purpose.
To submit a new application for ethics review, submit the following documents to crec@hkstp.org
Applications are reviewed by HKSTP CREC on bimonthly basis. Application deadlines are the last day of February, April, June, August, October and December. Submissions received after each deadline will be reviewed in the next cycle.
Projects with existing ethics approval from external IRB/CREC, on the condition that the existing ethics approval covers the intended location(s) on HKSTP premises, is eligible to apply for expedited review. Under normal circumstances, the process time for expedited review is approximately 14 working days. Expedited review mainly focuses on safety and environmental aspects of the venue and facilities.
To apply for expedited review, submit the following documents to crec@hkstp.org
Amendment - Any change(s) to an approved project, including but not limited to personnel, number and criteria of participants, procedures, etc., must be reported and approved by HKSTP CREC. Such change(s) shall not be implemented until approval has been granted.
Project Extension – PIs are responsible to take note of the validity period of the approval as indicated in the approval letter. If the approved project shall continue after the validity period, an extension application (together with relevant documents) shall be submitted at least 1-month preceding the expiry date of the approval.
Facility Inspection – Continuous review and monitoring will be conducted for each ongoing projects at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk to human subjects to ensure the highest standards of ethics. CREC members have the authority to immediately suspend / terminate the study should it be found absolutely necessary.
In case of an adverse events (“AE”), research teams are responsible to comply with the following reporting procedures for reporting of the adverse event and any unanticipated problems.
Step 1. Report to Hong Kong Department of Health (DH)Refer to relevant DH division for reporting procedures, i.e., report to drug office for AEs related to adverse drug reactions
Step 2. Report to HKSTP CRECNotify HKSTP CREC at crec@hkstp.org of the AE |
For enquiries or reporting of welfare concerns regarding research projects involving human participants/ materials, please email crec@hkstp.org