Handbook: Quality practices in basic biomedical research

Overview

This document is the revised version of the draft handbook Quality standards in basic biomedical research (TDR/PRD/QSBR/01.1), published in 2001. The draft handbook was based on the deliberations of a specialized scientific working group (SWG) convened by the UNDP/World Bank/World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR).

The SWG, composed of independent scientific experts, met in Geneva 4-6 September 2000 to discuss various aspects related to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and sound scientific working practices. They concluded there was a pressing global need for dissemination of information and guidance to cover basic biomedical research.

The quality management system outlined in this Handbook will provide institutions and researchers with the necessary tools for the implementation and monitoring of quality practices in their research, thus promoting the credibility and acceptability of their work. The handbook highlights non-regulatory practices that can be easily institutionalised with very little extra expense.