Ethics Committee

Deepak Foundation Institutional Ethics Committee

Registered at DGHS, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India viz. ECR/901/Inst/GJ/2017/RR-20

The Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) of Deepak Foundation is constituted in accordance with national ethical guidelines to safeguard the rights, safety, dignity, and well-being of research participants. The committee operates independently and ensures that all research involving human participants adheres to the highest ethical standards.

DF- IEC follows national and international guidelines like the ICMR’s National Ethical Guidelines and the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. With a multidisciplinary and gender-inclusive composition, including external members for impartiality, the committee scrutinizes research proposals, assesses informed consent processes, evaluates risks and benefits, ensures participant safety, and monitors ongoing studies.

Objectives

Functions

  • Review and approve/reject/advise on research proposals from ethical, legal, and scientific perspectives.
  • Ensure confidentiality and privacy of participants.
  • Monitor ongoing studies for compliance with approved protocols.
  • Advise investigators on ethical issues during the conduct of studies.

Types of research studies under the preview of DF-IEC will essentially include public health, health care studies, clinical trials and may also include, but not limited to, the following:

  • Epidemiological Research
  • Social Science Research
  • Research on Medical Records or Other Personal Information
  • Research on Stored Samples (Genetic/Biochemical/Pathological)
  • Molecular Biology Research
  • Imaging Research
  • Health Systems Research
  • Implementation Research
S. No. Name Designation
1. Dr. Shreya M Shah, Professor & Head- Department of Pharmacology, Medical College Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat Chairperson
2. Dr. Sandeep Soni, Senior Program Manager, Department of Preventive Health & Clinical Services, Deepak Foundation, Vadodara, Gujarat Member Secretary
3. Dr. Nikhil Kharod, Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics, Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karamsad- Anand, Gujarat Clinician
4. Dr. Parvati Patel, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, GMERS Medical College, Gotri, Vadodara Basic Medical Scientist
5. Dr. Akash Kumar Lal, Deputy Director, Deepak Foundation, Vadodara, Gujarat Social Scientist
6. Dr. Deepak Vishwakarma, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, P P Savani University, Surat, Gujarat Scientific Member
7. Dr. Nandita Maitra, Ex. Additional Professor and Unit Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College, Baroda, Gujarat Member
8. Mr. Shailesh I. Patel, Vadodara, Gujarat Legal Expert
9. Ms. Urvi V. Thakkar, Vadodara, Gujarat Lay Person