The IEC (Institutional Ethics Committee) formerly called the Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB) was established in the year 2000 to ensure all research activities carried out by faculty and students of SJNAHS meets the required National and International ethical standards. It safeguards the rights, safety and well-being of human subjects involved in biomedical studies.

It has successfully established a consistent ethical review mechanism for health and biomedical research based on principles and guidelines described in "A Catholic Guide to Ethical Clinical Research," from the Catholic Medical Association and the National Catholic Bioethics Centre. The Catholic moral teaching based on the principles of Truth, Respect for Life and Integrity of Persons, Generosity and Justice have been integrated with the directives given by different national and international bodies such as the guidelines of ICMR, Schedule ‘Y” (Drugs and Cosmetic Act) and International Conference on Harmonization of Good Clinical Practice to support scientific progress.

The Committee
The committee is appointed by the Director. It comprises of faculty from medical and scientific background as well as religious, lay and legal members who collectively have the qualifications and experience to review and evaluate the scientific, medical and ethical aspects of a proposed biomedical research project. The composition of the members reflects the quorum requirement as per the Schedule Y of the Drug & Cosmetics Act.

List of Members

The IEC functions with the following objectives
Competent review and evaluation of all scientific and ethical aspects of research proposals received in compliance with the appropriate laws, and welfare of subjects

Consultations for clinical science and ethics.

Education of professional, administrative, and support staff, students and community about biomedical research ethics. Creation, development, revision and implementation of guidelines for the IEC (SOPs).

Initiate research studies in ethics.

Continuing education and training programs for IEC members to ensure competency of high standards are achieved to perform their specific duties.

Registration details:
The IEC is registered with national and international bodies.

CDSCO / DCGI: ECR/238/Inst/Kar/2013RR-16 – Period of registration 23rd April 2016 to 22nd April 2019.
Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) Valid till 9th August 2020
Institution Registration No. IORG0002599
IEC Registration No. IRB00003163
Federal Wide Assurance :
Registration No.FWA00004261, valid till 17th October 2021
AHAARP – The IEC had this Accreditation for year 2014 – 2015

Meeting Schedule:
The IEC meets in the first week of every month in the college. A second meeting is held if necessary. The schedule of the meeting and the deadlines for submission of proposals are intimated in advance.

Contact Details of theSecretariat:
Chairperson: Rev. Fr. Shaji George Kochuthara
Member Secretary: Dr. Jayanthi Savio

Address:
Ground Floor
St. John’s Medical College
Bangalore – 560 034
Office Time: Mon- Fri 9am – 4.30 pm& Sat 9am -1 pm.
Phone: 080 – 49466346 / 48
Email :sjmc.ierb@stjohns.in