Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar today held its first Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) meeting after securing re-registration from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), restoring the institution’s mandate to review clinical trials and biomedical research under national regulations.
CDSCO renewed GMC Srinagar’s IEC registration on 28 August 2025, granting approval until July 2030 under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. The decision followed an application earlier this year and authorises the committee to oversee clinical trials, bioequivalence studies and biomedical research in line with regulatory standards.
The reconstituted IEC comprises 13 members, including clinicians, pharmacologists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, social scientists, a legal expert and community representatives. More than half of its members are independent of the institution, a measure intended to safeguard impartiality and transparency in the approval process.
During the meeting, IEC reviewed a series of research proposals. These included a multicentre crossover trial comparing Tiotropium Bromide inhalation powder with Spiriva HandiHaler in COPD patients, a genetic screening study for rare disorders in Kashmiri communities, and a nationwide controlled trial examining different dose schedules of the inactivated polio vaccine.
The committee also considered additional applications, including Phase III and IV clinical trials of new inhalation therapies for asthma and COPD.
The committee addressed operational matters as well, scheduling its next meeting, approving the establishment of a dedicated IEC office in the administrative block, and preparing for its formal inauguration by the Principal and Administrator of GMC Srinagar.
The re-registration and swift convening of the IEC mark a milestone for biomedical research in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring that clinical studies are conducted under strict ethical oversight while expanding opportunities for innovation in healthcare.
In a parallel initiative to reinforce academic and research standards, GMC Srinagar has strengthened its Examination Cell (Secrecy Section) and Research Unit.
Principal and Dean, Prof. Dr Iffat Hassan launched the initiative at a ceremony attended by former Principal Prof. Tanvir Masood, Administrator Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, and senior faculty members.
Prof. Iffat stressed the importance of fairness and confidentiality in academic assessments, stating that “transparency and integrity are the foundation of any academic institution.” She added that the Research Unit would act as a driver for innovative studies, evidence-based medical practice and contributions to both national and international scientific knowledge.
The presence of senior academicians and administrators underscored the significance of the occasion, reflecting the institution’s collective resolve to strengthen its systems and nurture a culture of innovation.
