Who decides which trials are going to be opened?

The quick answer is: anyone can suggest a new trial to be opened.

When a new trial is brought to the attention of the ACRN, the protocol is initially assessed by the Network Lead and Mangers to see whether is would be possible to run the study within the Network. At this point a number of factors are considered, two of the main ones being:

· Do we have the resources available to conduct the study?

· Does the study conflict with any existing studies?

If the study passes these initial checks, it is then taken forward to be considered by the Network Site Specific Groups and the Drugs and Therapeutics committees. Once these groups have given their approval, the Clinical Trials Officers then take over and put the study forward for official approval from the Research and Development and Ethics Committees. (See section entitled “Gaining Approval to open new Trials”).