Published: 22 May 2019
NIHR researchers are leading the way on research integrity, transparency and avoidance of waste in research through the introduction of a new policy on clinical trial transparency.
Developed under the NIHR Adding Value in Research framework in response to NIHR signing the World Health Organisation (WHO) Joint statement on public disclosure of results from clinical trials, our latest policy supports NIHR’s mission to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
The policy aims to improve practice in prospective registration and timely disclosure of results in order to ensure full transparency of clinical trials funded by NIHR. It sits within and is consistent with the Health Research Authority’s UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, and guidance on the publication and dissemination of research findings.
Clinical trials, alongside all research studies, must adhere to NIHR’s data sharing requirements, also published in a position statement today. As the largest national clinical research funder in Europe we are internationally recognised as an innovative and world leading organisation when it comes to reducing avoidable waste in research, improving transparency and adding value.
NIHR will monitor compliance with this policy through a published annual audit report, and encourage greater transparency of historic studies in future funding applications.
Matt Westmore, NIHR lead for this area of work said: “Improving the transparency and openness of science is good for researchers, research funders and evidence users and good for the quality and integrity of science. Above all it is good for patients and participants in trials. This is an important initiative step forwards for NIHR.”