House legislators pushing for centralized IRBs

U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodger (R-Wash.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) have circulated a draft legislative proposal intended to streamline the oversight of clinical trials. The "Clinical Research Modernization Act" requires the HHS Secretary to promulgate regulations "to reduce regulatory duplication and unnecessary delays" in the oversight of clinical trials, including facilitating the use of central or "lead" institutional review boards for multi-site trials.

The proposal also instructs the HHS Secretary to take steps to enhance "standardization of informed consent and other processes and legal documents." ...