The negative effect of red tape on research

Abstract

Purposes: To describe the kind of the difficulties encountered when seeking research governance approval for a nationwide public health and genetic study - the Drug-Induced Arrhythmia Risk Evaluation study-in England. Methods: Description of the processes followed when seeking research governance approval for the Drug-Induced Arrhythmia Risk Evaluation study - a case control study with annual follow-up of cases and controls over 5 years, set in the English National Health Service (NHS). Results: The authors describe wide variations in NHS research governance approval procedures in England. Conclusion: NHS research governance procedures in England are impeding the process of epidemiological studies; there is the need for a centralised NHS R&D approval of studies, which is analogous to MREC for ethical approval. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.