RESEARCH ETHICS

The University of Hong Kong / Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster IRB

Ethics is a core consideration in clinical research. To enhance collaboration in clinical research between HKU and QMH (including its affiliated hospitals and clinics) and to facilitate ethics review of clinical studies, The University of Hong Kong / Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster Institutional Review Board (HKU/HA HKW IRB) was formed in March 2003, replacing the respective ethics committees of QMH and HKU. The HKU/HA HKW IRB oversees clinical studies conducted at HKU, QMH and
the affiliated hospitals/clinics within the Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster.

Cluster IRBs in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, there are six Cluster IRBs overseeing clinical research in 41 public hospitals in Hong Kong.