CHAPTER 51. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Subchapter VI. Pharmaceutical Research
§ 5171. Definitions.
As used in subchapter:
(1) "Department" shall mean the Department of Health and Social Services or its successor.
(2) "Double blind research" shall mean research in which neither the patient nor the physician knows whether the patient is
receiving medication or a placebo.
(3) "Hospital" means the Delaware Psychiatric Center or such other hospital in this State which is certified by the Secretary
of the Department of Health and Social Services as being an appropriate facility for the diagnosis, care and treatment of
mentally ill persons.
(4) "Informed consent" means the consent of a patient to the performance of health care services by a health care provider
who has informed the patient both verbally and in writing, to an extent reasonably comprehensible to general lay understanding,
of the nature of the proposed procedure or treatment and of the risks and alternatives to treatment which a reasonable patient
would consider material to the decision whether or not to undergo the treatment.
(5) "Mentally ill person" means a person suffering from a mental disease or condition which requires such person to be observed
and treated at the hospital for the person's own welfare.
(6) "Patient" means any patient at the hospital.
(7) "Psychiatrist" means a physician licensed to practice medicine specializing in the field of psychiatry or a physician
employed by the hospital, registered with the Medical Council of Delaware and certified by the hospital medical director to
the Medical Council of Delaware as being qualified in the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill persons.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 550, § 1.;
§ 5172. Rules and regulations.
(a) Prior to the participation of any patient in pharmaceutical research, the Department shall adopt rules and regulations
governing such research. Such rules and regulations shall conform to the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration
and to this chapter. In the course of promulgating such rules and regulations, the Department shall request the assistance
of the Food and Drug Administration and the State Office of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and shall hold at least 1 public
hearing. The Department shall review the rules and regulations pertaining to pharmaceutical research annually.
(b) Department rules and regulations governing pharmaceutical research shall include, but not be limited to, the following
provisions:
(1) No patient should be approached to participate in a pharmaceutical research program where the most recent certification
by a psychiatrist indicates that the patient is incapable of voluntary consent to care or treatment, is unable to make responsible
decisions regarding hospitalization or is mentally incompetent to waive legal rights. Patients who show marked improvement
should be reevaluated only by psychiatrists who will receive no financial benefit from the research as to whether the patient
is now fully competent before being approached about participation in research.
(2) Diagnosis of a patient's condition prior to the patient's participation in pharmaceutical research shall be done only
by psychiatrist(s) who will receive no financial benefit from the research.
(3) Prior to the inclusion of a patient on a research project, examining psychiatrist(s) shall consider whether the patient
would respond to accepted pharmaceutical or other therapies.
(4) To ensure that patients retain their capacity to freely consent to participate in research, patients shall be monitored
by psychiatrists who will receive no financial benefit from the research.
(5) If any patient participating in a research project shall be found not to be mentally ill, the patient shall be removed
from the research immediately.
(c) Any indemnification agreement which purports to bind the hospital shall be approved by a deputy attorney general representing
the Department and by the Department before signature by the research psychiatrist.
(d) The use of state time shall be adequately documented so that research compensated by private companies is properly segregated
from that time.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5173. Institutional Review Board.
(a) The Department shall establish an Institutional Review Board which shall be composed of 12 members appointed by the Secretary
of the Department. No more than 6 members shall be employed by the Department and no more than 3 members shall be employed
by the hospital.
(b) The duties of the Institutional Review Board shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Approval, modification or disapproval of all proposed pharmaceutical research programs and all written procedures and
protocols governing such programs. Final approval of any program shall require an affirmative vote of 8 members. In evaluating
any proposed research program, the Board shall consider whether the risks to patients are sufficiently outweighed by the potential
benefits and the importance of the knowledge to be gained. In its deliberations, the Board shall be guided by the American
Medical Association's "Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Investigation," the American Psychiatric Association's "Ethical and
Professional Guidelines Governing Research With Human Subjects" or similar documents.
(2) Ensuring that no patient participates in research who fits any exclusion criteria established by the pharmaceutical protocol
or by the Board itself.
(3) Actively monitoring all such research programs on a regular basis. Such monitoring shall include the review of the effects
of the research on patients and the review of individual patient records to ensure the continued protection of patient rights
and continued compliance with regulations.
(4) Ensuring that the provisions of § 5175 of this title are complied with for every patient who participates in pharmaceutical
research.
(5) Evaluating, together with the administration of the hospital and the Food and Drug Administration, all reactions and incidents
which occur to research participants to determine whether the research pharmaceuticals in any way affected the patient so
as to cause the reaction or incident.
(c) In order that the Board be active and effective, notices of meetings shall be sent to all members, minutes shall be maintained
and distributed prior to meetings and all records, documents and correspondence shall be retained by an officer of the Board
at the hospital. The Division of Mental Health shall provide administrative and secretarial assistance to support the Board's
functions.
(d) No member of the Board shall be permitted to vote on any research project in which the member has an active role or financial
interest.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5174. Patient participation restricted.
The following patients shall be ineligible to participate in pharmaceutical research:
(1) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 4 of Title 11 or § 5153 of this title;
provided, however, that a patient placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 4 of Title 11 or § 5153 of this
title shall be eligible with the prior approval of Superior Court, upon affidavit filed by the medical director of the hospital.
Such affidavit shall state that the patient for whom eligibility to participate is sought has given the patient's informed
consent and that, with respect to that patient, all provisions of this subchapter have been and will continue to be complied
with. The Court may deny approval for failure to comply with any provision of this subchapter or for any other reason it deems
appropriate. Any affidavit filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be served upon the Attorney General, and no action shall
be taken by the Court for 10 days after the date of such service. Superior Court may by rule prescribe procedures for review
of affidavits filed pursuant to this subdivision.
(2) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 50 of this title; provided, however,
that a patient initially committed under Chapter 50 of this title shall be eligible if that patient has voluntarily applied
for and has been accepted for hospitalization pursuant to § 5123 of this title.
(3) Any patient who has been released from the hospital on convalescent status under § 5131 of this title.
(4) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 57 of this title.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5175. Informed consent required.
(a) No patient may participate in any pharmaceutical research, investigation or experiment unless and until the patient has
given the patient's informed consent.
(b) Informed consent shall be in writing and each patient shall be given a copy of the patient's signed consent form.
(c) Informed consent must be voluntary, that is, free of any coercion by anyone, including the hospital. Patients shall be
advised both verbally and in writing that no threats, promises, special privileges or payments of any kind will be made for
their participation in pharmaceutical research. Participating patients shall be informed both verbally and in writing that
they may withdraw from the research at any time. No pressure of any kind shall be exerted upon any patient to continue research
from which the patient wishes to withdraw.
(d) Any patient participating in double blind research shall be advised both verbally and in writing that the patient may
receive a placebo for the duration of the research instead of medication. The term placebo shall be fully defined both verbally
and in writing.
(e) Patients shall be encouraged to consult with family, friends and/or physicians prior to signing any consent form and entering
the research program.
(f) No patient shall be approached to participate in pharmaceutical research if patient is incapable of understanding the
nature and consequences of patient's consent.
(g) All discussions leading to the agreement of a patient to participate in research, including the signing of the consent
form, shall be witnessed by at least 1 health care professional who will receive no financial benefit from the research. Such
independent witness shall be qualified to determine whether the patient is competent to consent to participate and whether
informed consent was freely given. The presence of the witness shall be noted on the consent form.
(h) The explanation of the proposed research to the patient shall include any explanation of the procedures to be followed
and their purposes, a description of any attendant discomforts and risks reasonably to be expected, a description of any benefits
reasonably to be expected, a disclosure of any appropriate alternative procedures that might be advantageous to the patient
and an offer to answer any inquiries concerning the procedures.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5176. Waiver of informed consent requirement.
Sections 5174(2) and 5175 of this title may be waived for a patient under the following conditions:
(1) An unsuccessful attempt has been made to secure the informed consent of the patient.
(2) No accepted pharmaceutical or other therapy exists for the type of illness affecting the patient or the patient has not
responded to accepted pharmaceutical or other therapies.
(3) The performance of pharmaceutical research on the patient would be in the best interest of that patient.
(4) The proposed waiver has been approved in writing by the Institutional Review Board after thorough review of the patient's
clinical records.
(5) The proposed waiver has the prior written approval of the patient's legal guardian or, if the patient has no guardian,
patient's next-of-kin.
(6) The proposed waiver has been approved by Superior Court upon affidavit filed by the medical director of the hospital.
Such affidavit shall state that, with respect to the patient for whom the waiver is sought, all provisions of this section
and this subchapter have been and will continue to be complied with. The Court may deny approval for failure to comply with
any provision of this section or this subchapter or for any other reason it deems appropriate. Superior Court may by rule
prescribe procedures for review of affidavits filed pursuant to this section.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
CHAPTER 51. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Subchapter VI. Pharmaceutical Research
§ 5171. Definitions.
As used in subchapter:
(1) "Department" shall mean the Department of Health and Social Services or its successor.
(2) "Double blind research" shall mean research in which neither the patient nor the physician knows whether the patient is
receiving medication or a placebo.
(3) "Hospital" means the Delaware Psychiatric Center or such other hospital in this State which is certified by the Secretary
of the Department of Health and Social Services as being an appropriate facility for the diagnosis, care and treatment of
mentally ill persons.
(4) "Informed consent" means the consent of a patient to the performance of health care services by a health care provider
who has informed the patient both verbally and in writing, to an extent reasonably comprehensible to general lay understanding,
of the nature of the proposed procedure or treatment and of the risks and alternatives to treatment which a reasonable patient
would consider material to the decision whether or not to undergo the treatment.
(5) "Mentally ill person" means a person suffering from a mental disease or condition which requires such person to be observed
and treated at the hospital for the person's own welfare.
(6) "Patient" means any patient at the hospital.
(7) "Psychiatrist" means a physician licensed to practice medicine specializing in the field of psychiatry or a physician
employed by the hospital, registered with the Medical Council of Delaware and certified by the hospital medical director to
the Medical Council of Delaware as being qualified in the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill persons.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 550, § 1.;
§ 5172. Rules and regulations.
(a) Prior to the participation of any patient in pharmaceutical research, the Department shall adopt rules and regulations
governing such research. Such rules and regulations shall conform to the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration
and to this chapter. In the course of promulgating such rules and regulations, the Department shall request the assistance
of the Food and Drug Administration and the State Office of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and shall hold at least 1 public
hearing. The Department shall review the rules and regulations pertaining to pharmaceutical research annually.
(b) Department rules and regulations governing pharmaceutical research shall include, but not be limited to, the following
provisions:
(1) No patient should be approached to participate in a pharmaceutical research program where the most recent certification
by a psychiatrist indicates that the patient is incapable of voluntary consent to care or treatment, is unable to make responsible
decisions regarding hospitalization or is mentally incompetent to waive legal rights. Patients who show marked improvement
should be reevaluated only by psychiatrists who will receive no financial benefit from the research as to whether the patient
is now fully competent before being approached about participation in research.
(2) Diagnosis of a patient's condition prior to the patient's participation in pharmaceutical research shall be done only
by psychiatrist(s) who will receive no financial benefit from the research.
(3) Prior to the inclusion of a patient on a research project, examining psychiatrist(s) shall consider whether the patient
would respond to accepted pharmaceutical or other therapies.
(4) To ensure that patients retain their capacity to freely consent to participate in research, patients shall be monitored
by psychiatrists who will receive no financial benefit from the research.
(5) If any patient participating in a research project shall be found not to be mentally ill, the patient shall be removed
from the research immediately.
(c) Any indemnification agreement which purports to bind the hospital shall be approved by a deputy attorney general representing
the Department and by the Department before signature by the research psychiatrist.
(d) The use of state time shall be adequately documented so that research compensated by private companies is properly segregated
from that time.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5173. Institutional Review Board.
(a) The Department shall establish an Institutional Review Board which shall be composed of 12 members appointed by the Secretary
of the Department. No more than 6 members shall be employed by the Department and no more than 3 members shall be employed
by the hospital.
(b) The duties of the Institutional Review Board shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Approval, modification or disapproval of all proposed pharmaceutical research programs and all written procedures and
protocols governing such programs. Final approval of any program shall require an affirmative vote of 8 members. In evaluating
any proposed research program, the Board shall consider whether the risks to patients are sufficiently outweighed by the potential
benefits and the importance of the knowledge to be gained. In its deliberations, the Board shall be guided by the American
Medical Association's "Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Investigation," the American Psychiatric Association's "Ethical and
Professional Guidelines Governing Research With Human Subjects" or similar documents.
(2) Ensuring that no patient participates in research who fits any exclusion criteria established by the pharmaceutical protocol
or by the Board itself.
(3) Actively monitoring all such research programs on a regular basis. Such monitoring shall include the review of the effects
of the research on patients and the review of individual patient records to ensure the continued protection of patient rights
and continued compliance with regulations.
(4) Ensuring that the provisions of § 5175 of this title are complied with for every patient who participates in pharmaceutical
research.
(5) Evaluating, together with the administration of the hospital and the Food and Drug Administration, all reactions and incidents
which occur to research participants to determine whether the research pharmaceuticals in any way affected the patient so
as to cause the reaction or incident.
(c) In order that the Board be active and effective, notices of meetings shall be sent to all members, minutes shall be maintained
and distributed prior to meetings and all records, documents and correspondence shall be retained by an officer of the Board
at the hospital. The Division of Mental Health shall provide administrative and secretarial assistance to support the Board's
functions.
(d) No member of the Board shall be permitted to vote on any research project in which the member has an active role or financial
interest.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5174. Patient participation restricted.
The following patients shall be ineligible to participate in pharmaceutical research:
(1) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 4 of Title 11 or § 5153 of this title;
provided, however, that a patient placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 4 of Title 11 or § 5153 of this
title shall be eligible with the prior approval of Superior Court, upon affidavit filed by the medical director of the hospital.
Such affidavit shall state that the patient for whom eligibility to participate is sought has given the patient's informed
consent and that, with respect to that patient, all provisions of this subchapter have been and will continue to be complied
with. The Court may deny approval for failure to comply with any provision of this subchapter or for any other reason it deems
appropriate. Any affidavit filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be served upon the Attorney General, and no action shall
be taken by the Court for 10 days after the date of such service. Superior Court may by rule prescribe procedures for review
of affidavits filed pursuant to this subdivision.
(2) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 50 of this title; provided, however,
that a patient initially committed under Chapter 50 of this title shall be eligible if that patient has voluntarily applied
for and has been accepted for hospitalization pursuant to § 5123 of this title.
(3) Any patient who has been released from the hospital on convalescent status under § 5131 of this title.
(4) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 57 of this title.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5175. Informed consent required.
(a) No patient may participate in any pharmaceutical research, investigation or experiment unless and until the patient has
given the patient's informed consent.
(b) Informed consent shall be in writing and each patient shall be given a copy of the patient's signed consent form.
(c) Informed consent must be voluntary, that is, free of any coercion by anyone, including the hospital. Patients shall be
advised both verbally and in writing that no threats, promises, special privileges or payments of any kind will be made for
their participation in pharmaceutical research. Participating patients shall be informed both verbally and in writing that
they may withdraw from the research at any time. No pressure of any kind shall be exerted upon any patient to continue research
from which the patient wishes to withdraw.
(d) Any patient participating in double blind research shall be advised both verbally and in writing that the patient may
receive a placebo for the duration of the research instead of medication. The term placebo shall be fully defined both verbally
and in writing.
(e) Patients shall be encouraged to consult with family, friends and/or physicians prior to signing any consent form and entering
the research program.
(f) No patient shall be approached to participate in pharmaceutical research if patient is incapable of understanding the
nature and consequences of patient's consent.
(g) All discussions leading to the agreement of a patient to participate in research, including the signing of the consent
form, shall be witnessed by at least 1 health care professional who will receive no financial benefit from the research. Such
independent witness shall be qualified to determine whether the patient is competent to consent to participate and whether
informed consent was freely given. The presence of the witness shall be noted on the consent form.
(h) The explanation of the proposed research to the patient shall include any explanation of the procedures to be followed
and their purposes, a description of any attendant discomforts and risks reasonably to be expected, a description of any benefits
reasonably to be expected, a disclosure of any appropriate alternative procedures that might be advantageous to the patient
and an offer to answer any inquiries concerning the procedures.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5176. Waiver of informed consent requirement.
Sections 5174(2) and 5175 of this title may be waived for a patient under the following conditions:
(1) An unsuccessful attempt has been made to secure the informed consent of the patient.
(2) No accepted pharmaceutical or other therapy exists for the type of illness affecting the patient or the patient has not
responded to accepted pharmaceutical or other therapies.
(3) The performance of pharmaceutical research on the patient would be in the best interest of that patient.
(4) The proposed waiver has been approved in writing by the Institutional Review Board after thorough review of the patient's
clinical records.
(5) The proposed waiver has the prior written approval of the patient's legal guardian or, if the patient has no guardian,
patient's next-of-kin.
(6) The proposed waiver has been approved by Superior Court upon affidavit filed by the medical director of the hospital.
Such affidavit shall state that, with respect to the patient for whom the waiver is sought, all provisions of this section
and this subchapter have been and will continue to be complied with. The Court may deny approval for failure to comply with
any provision of this section or this subchapter or for any other reason it deems appropriate. Superior Court may by rule
prescribe procedures for review of affidavits filed pursuant to this section.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
CHAPTER 51. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Subchapter VI. Pharmaceutical Research
§ 5171. Definitions.
As used in subchapter:
(1) "Department" shall mean the Department of Health and Social Services or its successor.
(2) "Double blind research" shall mean research in which neither the patient nor the physician knows whether the patient is
receiving medication or a placebo.
(3) "Hospital" means the Delaware Psychiatric Center or such other hospital in this State which is certified by the Secretary
of the Department of Health and Social Services as being an appropriate facility for the diagnosis, care and treatment of
mentally ill persons.
(4) "Informed consent" means the consent of a patient to the performance of health care services by a health care provider
who has informed the patient both verbally and in writing, to an extent reasonably comprehensible to general lay understanding,
of the nature of the proposed procedure or treatment and of the risks and alternatives to treatment which a reasonable patient
would consider material to the decision whether or not to undergo the treatment.
(5) "Mentally ill person" means a person suffering from a mental disease or condition which requires such person to be observed
and treated at the hospital for the person's own welfare.
(6) "Patient" means any patient at the hospital.
(7) "Psychiatrist" means a physician licensed to practice medicine specializing in the field of psychiatry or a physician
employed by the hospital, registered with the Medical Council of Delaware and certified by the hospital medical director to
the Medical Council of Delaware as being qualified in the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill persons.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 550, § 1.;
§ 5172. Rules and regulations.
(a) Prior to the participation of any patient in pharmaceutical research, the Department shall adopt rules and regulations
governing such research. Such rules and regulations shall conform to the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration
and to this chapter. In the course of promulgating such rules and regulations, the Department shall request the assistance
of the Food and Drug Administration and the State Office of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and shall hold at least 1 public
hearing. The Department shall review the rules and regulations pertaining to pharmaceutical research annually.
(b) Department rules and regulations governing pharmaceutical research shall include, but not be limited to, the following
provisions:
(1) No patient should be approached to participate in a pharmaceutical research program where the most recent certification
by a psychiatrist indicates that the patient is incapable of voluntary consent to care or treatment, is unable to make responsible
decisions regarding hospitalization or is mentally incompetent to waive legal rights. Patients who show marked improvement
should be reevaluated only by psychiatrists who will receive no financial benefit from the research as to whether the patient
is now fully competent before being approached about participation in research.
(2) Diagnosis of a patient's condition prior to the patient's participation in pharmaceutical research shall be done only
by psychiatrist(s) who will receive no financial benefit from the research.
(3) Prior to the inclusion of a patient on a research project, examining psychiatrist(s) shall consider whether the patient
would respond to accepted pharmaceutical or other therapies.
(4) To ensure that patients retain their capacity to freely consent to participate in research, patients shall be monitored
by psychiatrists who will receive no financial benefit from the research.
(5) If any patient participating in a research project shall be found not to be mentally ill, the patient shall be removed
from the research immediately.
(c) Any indemnification agreement which purports to bind the hospital shall be approved by a deputy attorney general representing
the Department and by the Department before signature by the research psychiatrist.
(d) The use of state time shall be adequately documented so that research compensated by private companies is properly segregated
from that time.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5173. Institutional Review Board.
(a) The Department shall establish an Institutional Review Board which shall be composed of 12 members appointed by the Secretary
of the Department. No more than 6 members shall be employed by the Department and no more than 3 members shall be employed
by the hospital.
(b) The duties of the Institutional Review Board shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Approval, modification or disapproval of all proposed pharmaceutical research programs and all written procedures and
protocols governing such programs. Final approval of any program shall require an affirmative vote of 8 members. In evaluating
any proposed research program, the Board shall consider whether the risks to patients are sufficiently outweighed by the potential
benefits and the importance of the knowledge to be gained. In its deliberations, the Board shall be guided by the American
Medical Association's "Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Investigation," the American Psychiatric Association's "Ethical and
Professional Guidelines Governing Research With Human Subjects" or similar documents.
(2) Ensuring that no patient participates in research who fits any exclusion criteria established by the pharmaceutical protocol
or by the Board itself.
(3) Actively monitoring all such research programs on a regular basis. Such monitoring shall include the review of the effects
of the research on patients and the review of individual patient records to ensure the continued protection of patient rights
and continued compliance with regulations.
(4) Ensuring that the provisions of § 5175 of this title are complied with for every patient who participates in pharmaceutical
research.
(5) Evaluating, together with the administration of the hospital and the Food and Drug Administration, all reactions and incidents
which occur to research participants to determine whether the research pharmaceuticals in any way affected the patient so
as to cause the reaction or incident.
(c) In order that the Board be active and effective, notices of meetings shall be sent to all members, minutes shall be maintained
and distributed prior to meetings and all records, documents and correspondence shall be retained by an officer of the Board
at the hospital. The Division of Mental Health shall provide administrative and secretarial assistance to support the Board's
functions.
(d) No member of the Board shall be permitted to vote on any research project in which the member has an active role or financial
interest.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5174. Patient participation restricted.
The following patients shall be ineligible to participate in pharmaceutical research:
(1) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 4 of Title 11 or § 5153 of this title;
provided, however, that a patient placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 4 of Title 11 or § 5153 of this
title shall be eligible with the prior approval of Superior Court, upon affidavit filed by the medical director of the hospital.
Such affidavit shall state that the patient for whom eligibility to participate is sought has given the patient's informed
consent and that, with respect to that patient, all provisions of this subchapter have been and will continue to be complied
with. The Court may deny approval for failure to comply with any provision of this subchapter or for any other reason it deems
appropriate. Any affidavit filed pursuant to this subdivision shall be served upon the Attorney General, and no action shall
be taken by the Court for 10 days after the date of such service. Superior Court may by rule prescribe procedures for review
of affidavits filed pursuant to this subdivision.
(2) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 50 of this title; provided, however,
that a patient initially committed under Chapter 50 of this title shall be eligible if that patient has voluntarily applied
for and has been accepted for hospitalization pursuant to § 5123 of this title.
(3) Any patient who has been released from the hospital on convalescent status under § 5131 of this title.
(4) Any patient who has been placed in the jurisdiction of the hospital under Chapter 57 of this title.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5175. Informed consent required.
(a) No patient may participate in any pharmaceutical research, investigation or experiment unless and until the patient has
given the patient's informed consent.
(b) Informed consent shall be in writing and each patient shall be given a copy of the patient's signed consent form.
(c) Informed consent must be voluntary, that is, free of any coercion by anyone, including the hospital. Patients shall be
advised both verbally and in writing that no threats, promises, special privileges or payments of any kind will be made for
their participation in pharmaceutical research. Participating patients shall be informed both verbally and in writing that
they may withdraw from the research at any time. No pressure of any kind shall be exerted upon any patient to continue research
from which the patient wishes to withdraw.
(d) Any patient participating in double blind research shall be advised both verbally and in writing that the patient may
receive a placebo for the duration of the research instead of medication. The term placebo shall be fully defined both verbally
and in writing.
(e) Patients shall be encouraged to consult with family, friends and/or physicians prior to signing any consent form and entering
the research program.
(f) No patient shall be approached to participate in pharmaceutical research if patient is incapable of understanding the
nature and consequences of patient's consent.
(g) All discussions leading to the agreement of a patient to participate in research, including the signing of the consent
form, shall be witnessed by at least 1 health care professional who will receive no financial benefit from the research. Such
independent witness shall be qualified to determine whether the patient is competent to consent to participate and whether
informed consent was freely given. The presence of the witness shall be noted on the consent form.
(h) The explanation of the proposed research to the patient shall include any explanation of the procedures to be followed
and their purposes, a description of any attendant discomforts and risks reasonably to be expected, a description of any benefits
reasonably to be expected, a disclosure of any appropriate alternative procedures that might be advantageous to the patient
and an offer to answer any inquiries concerning the procedures.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 5176. Waiver of informed consent requirement.
Sections 5174(2) and 5175 of this title may be waived for a patient under the following conditions:
(1) An unsuccessful attempt has been made to secure the informed consent of the patient.
(2) No accepted pharmaceutical or other therapy exists for the type of illness affecting the patient or the patient has not
responded to accepted pharmaceutical or other therapies.
(3) The performance of pharmaceutical research on the patient would be in the best interest of that patient.
(4) The proposed waiver has been approved in writing by the Institutional Review Board after thorough review of the patient's
clinical records.
(5) The proposed waiver has the prior written approval of the patient's legal guardian or, if the patient has no guardian,
patient's next-of-kin.
(6) The proposed waiver has been approved by Superior Court upon affidavit filed by the medical director of the hospital.
Such affidavit shall state that, with respect to the patient for whom the waiver is sought, all provisions of this section
and this subchapter have been and will continue to be complied with. The Court may deny approval for failure to comply with
any provision of this section or this subchapter or for any other reason it deems appropriate. Superior Court may by rule
prescribe procedures for review of affidavits filed pursuant to this section.
64 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;