Epicentre policy clinical trials

Conscious of the importance of ensuring our work is made available, Epicentre joined some twenty major international research groups that are committed to implementing a policy of public dissemination of clinical trial results. 

This commitment has been signed by institutions that fund research projects, including clinical trials.

Although we do not fund clinical trials, we conduct studies in the context of humanitarian medical action. 

We also conduct other types of descriptive or analytical epidemiological studies.

Our commitment to public dissemination is applicable to all of our work. 

This is a part of research ethics and  the principles of good professional practice.

Our approach is based on public registration of the trials we conduct and on the publication of results. We also commit to ensuring these key principles are adhered to.

The text of joint statement outlining these commitments  is available in English (see button below).

Our staff monitor our adherence to the joint statement and we encourage efforts to ensure this follow-up is made public.

Each trial conducted by Epicentre is registered on Clinicaltrials.gov and sometimes on other platforms as well. This involves providing information about the study itself (objectives, study sites, duration, number of participants, etc.). Each trial is assigned a unique registration number. 

Registration is good practice and provides a  guarantee of transparency including information on partners and objectives of a clinical trial. Information is updated throughout the study.  Study closure is also be recorded.

The results of each trial must be made public. This is an ethical imperative. Data analyses should be completed within 12 months of the end of the study’s primary objective. Results need to be published within 2 years in a peer-reviewed journal. Public disclosure of study protocols (and any subsequent amendments to the initial version) and analysis plans is also encouraged.

The registration number of each trial (see above) must be referenced in any summary or article concerning the trial in question.

Without sharing individual data on study participants, we wish to facilitate the sharing of anonymised and de-identified databases of the trials we conduct for future use.

The results of published trials must be made available online on the websites of the scientific journals concerned.