This annual report describes the activities of the Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC) Utrecht in 2020. The main task of the MREC is to review research proposals on their medical, scientific and ethical aspects under the Medical Research involving Human Subjects Act (WMO). The legal framework of the MREC also includes the Embryo Act, the Medical Device Decree and the Active Implants Decree. The primary aim of the MREC review is the protection of the research subjects who will be participating in these studies, while also supporting progress in medical-scientific research. The MREC aims to complete the review procedures within the legal timelines as described in the WMO.

Compared to 2019, the number of reviewed research proposals involving a medicinal product increased by 15. The committee maintained short timelines for research reviews, also compared to last year. The average review time for research proposals involving medicinal products was 45.1 days and for other WMO research the average review time was 35.1 days. The combined average review time for WMO research was 39 days. This is 5 days faster compared to 2019 and well within the legally required review timeline.

* Version 2 of the annual report 2020 (update August 2021)

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