BC Ethics Harmonization Initiative

The BC Ethics Harmonization Initiative is an MSFHR-facilitated process aimed at developing a more effective, coordinated provincial approach to ethics approval of research involving human subjects. The need for ethics harmonization stemmed from widespread frustration with existing approval processes that require multiple time-consuming ethics reviews to the detriment of research in the province. After an inventory of current ethics review practices in BC and other jurisdictions, which included an environmental scan, online survey and provincial workshop, MSFHR issued an RFP for the development of a provincial human subject ethics review process in BC.

A successful proposal was received, as requested, from a consortium of BC universities, (who collectively conduct at least 80 percent of human subject ethics reviews in BC). After approval from the MSFHR Board in summer 2010, the funds ($208,600) were released September 1, 2010. A project manager was hired to lead the initiative, with first stage deliverables for the project relating to the development of reciprocity and process agreements encompassing review of multi-centre clinical research and population health research among UBC, SFU and UVIC, and the health authorities most active in these types of research.

In early April 2011, the consortium will provide MSFHR with a report for the first stage of the project and a proposal for longer term funding to achieve a comprehensive approach to ethics harmonization, including the development of common forms and IT, expansion to more institutions and other areas of human subject research, and shared educational resources. 

Last updated October 13, 2010