The streamlining of clinical trial contracts has been identified as one of the barriers of efficiently starting up a multicentre, multi-jurisdictional pediatric clinical trial in Canada. In 2020, MICYRN facilitated the creation of an informal network of lawyers comprised of contract specialists and legal counsel with representation from most provinces across Canada with the aim to assist in opening up the lines of communication and collaboration amongst the different jurisdiction.

The challenge of a streamlined process largely stems from the regulation and laws governing each jurisdiction, as well as the different health systems. To address this challenge, the network is in the process of developing a Heads of Terms agreement, which outlines each jurisdiction’s essential items and hard limits to be used as a guide for future contracts.

Some of the other projects that the network has collaborated on include a Study Terms of Reference Checklist and a Master Sub-site Agreement Template.

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