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Implementation of Implementation of Uniform Guidelines Uniform Guidelines for Ethics Review in for Ethics Review in Sri LankaSri Lanka

Malik Fernando Malik Fernando M.B.,Ch.B. (Bristol)M.B.,Ch.B. (Bristol)

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FORUM OF ETHICS REVIEW FORUM OF ETHICS REVIEW COMMITTEES IN SRI LANKACOMMITTEES IN SRI LANKA

TERMS OF REFERENCETERMS OF REFERENCE

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Article 1Article 1

The organization bears the name Forum The organization bears the name Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Sri for Ethical Review Committees in Sri Lanka and the acronym FERCSL. The Lanka and the acronym FERCSL. The Ethics Review Committees (ERC) Ethics Review Committees (ERC) includes all those in Sri Lanka.includes all those in Sri Lanka.

Article 2 Article 2

FERCSL is a forum convened under the FERCSL is a forum convened under the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA). Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA).

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Article 3 Article 3 The official seat of the organization is the The official seat of the organization is the

SLMA. The SLMA may from time to time seek SLMA. The SLMA may from time to time seek the assistance of other institutions to host the assistance of other institutions to host FERCSL for administrative purposes.FERCSL for administrative purposes.

AIMAIM Article 4 Article 4 FERCSL has the objective of fostering an FERCSL has the objective of fostering an

improved understanding and implementation of improved understanding and implementation of ethical review of biomedical research in Sri ethical review of biomedical research in Sri Lanka (Country). Lanka (Country).

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ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES Article 5 Article 5

FERCSL strives to achieve this goal FERCSL strives to achieve this goal through the following activities:through the following activities:

1. Improving communication among 1. Improving communication among ethics review committees (ERCs) ethics review committees (ERCs) reviewing biomedical research in the reviewing biomedical research in the country;country;

2. Organizing meetings and symposia;2. Organizing meetings and symposia;

continued

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Article 5 continuedArticle 5 continued

3. Assisting with the adoption and 3. Assisting with the adoption and implementation of Guidelines and implementation of Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for ethics Standard Operating Procedures for ethics review in the country;review in the country;

5. Facilitating training and education 5. Facilitating training and education opportunities for members of ERCs in the opportunities for members of ERCs in the country;country;

continued

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Article 5 continuedArticle 5 continued

6. Coordinating communication and 6. Coordinating communication and responses on the subject of the ethics responses on the subject of the ethics review of biomedical research with the review of biomedical research with the WHO, UNAIDS, CIOMS, UNESCO, and WHO, UNAIDS, CIOMS, UNESCO, and other international organizations involved other international organizations involved in fostering ethics review. in fostering ethics review.

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DURATIONDURATION Article 6 Article 6

FERCSL is established for an FERCSL is established for an indefinite period of time.indefinite period of time.

MEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIP Article 8Article 8

FERCSL is composed of member FERCSL is composed of member Ethics Review Committees.Ethics Review Committees.

continued

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Article 9 Article 9

One member of each Ethics Review One member of each Ethics Review Committee shall be nominated at the Committee shall be nominated at the beginning of the year to serve in the beginning of the year to serve in the steering committee of FERCSL.steering committee of FERCSL.

Article 10 Article 10

The steering committee of the FERCSL The steering committee of the FERCSL shall consist of one member each from shall consist of one member each from each member ethics review committee.each member ethics review committee.

continued

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Article 11 Article 11

The Chairperson of the ERC of the The Chairperson of the ERC of the SLMA shall be the Chairperson of the SLMA shall be the Chairperson of the FERCSL steering committee.FERCSL steering committee.

The members of the steering The members of the steering committee shall by mutual consensus committee shall by mutual consensus appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer for the steering committee. These for the steering committee. These appointments should take place at the appointments should take place at the First Meeting of the steering First Meeting of the steering committee every year.committee every year.

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PROCEDUREPROCEDURE

Article 12Article 12

Those committees eligible as above, to Those committees eligible as above, to become members, may become become members, may become members by making a written request members by making a written request to the Chairperson, FERCSL through to the Chairperson, FERCSL through the Head of their respective institution.the Head of their respective institution.

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DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION

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