Drug Evaluation Committee 2018-43 Clinical Trial Review Committee in the Absence of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
Related classification: Clinical Trial Review Committee
First published: January 2019
Question
At a clinical trial review committee of a medical institution, the Chairperson is a physician affiliated with the institution and the Vice Chairperson is a physician affiliated with an affiliated institution. The physicians may have to deal with emergency cases unexpectedly. In the past, when the Chairperson was absent due to an emergency, the Vice-Chairperson has performed his/her duties on behalf of the Chairperson, although this has been rare.
My question is, in the unlikely event that both the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson are absent due to an emergency, does that mean that the Clinical Trial Review Committee meeting cannot be held? Incidentally, the SOP for the Clinical Trial Review Committee states in the clause "Establishment and Composition of the Clinical Trial Review Committee" that "If the Chairperson is unable to perform his/her duties for any reason, the Vice-Chairperson shall act on his/her behalf.
As I have not been able to derive an appropriate opinion on this matter on my own, I would appreciate your opinion.
JPMA's Opinion
In a case like your question, if the requirements for holding a meeting are satisfied and a member who can act as the Chairperson as stipulated in the SOP of the Investigational Review Committee attends in place of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, and if it can be judged that the Investigational Review Committee can appropriately conduct its review, it is possible to hold a meeting even if the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are absent. However, if such a committee member is acting as the chairperson, the meeting may be held in his/her absence.
However, it would be necessary to record the circumstances, including prior confirmation by the Chairperson, regarding such a member acting as the Acting Chairperson.