ABSTRACT
The issue of informed consent is vitally important, and not only must be fully understood by those involved in conducting clinical research, but must also inspire confidence in those who are the subjects in clinical trials. Much criticism, perhaps not surprisingly, has been expressed in the media, and indeed by doctors themselves, on the ineffective way in which informed consent from those taking part in clinical research has been sought. The report concluded that applications for ethical clearance for all proposed clinical research and investigations should be made through ethical committees, and two years later, in 1975, the Department of Health issued guidelines advising health authorities to implement these recommendations. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry published in 1983 clear guidelines on the subject of compensation to patients for injury brought about by their involvement in clinical research, and pharmaceutical companies have invariably followed this guidance.
