The EED is staffed by the Members (regular and alternate members) and the Secretariat.

1. Members of the Committee

The National Ethics Committee (NEC) for clinical studies, the composition of which is in accordance with the ICH-GCP principles, is composed of ten (10) reputable scientists, who were appointed by the Decision of the Minister of Health under No. Prot. A1b/G.P.3817/19/01/2024 (Appointment number: 6ΕΚ5465ΦΥΟ-Κ4Η):

1. ORFANOS STYLIANOS, President, Professor of Intensive Care, Medical School of the National University of Athens, with the deputy KOTANIDOU ANASTASIA, Professor of Pulmonology and Intensive Care, Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).
2. DAIKOS GEORGIOS, Vice President, Emeritus Professor of Infectious Diseases, Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), Director of the 2nd Department of Infectious Diseases, "MITERA" Hospital, with ZACHAROULIS ACHILLEAS as deputy, Interventional Cardiologist, Director of the National Health Service, Cardiology Clinic, General Hospital "EVANGELISM".
3. GOGA ELENI, Professor of Pathology - Oncology, 1st Pathology Clinic, Medical School of the National University of Athens, with the deputy KARAMOUZI MICHAEL, Professor of Biochemistry - Oncology, Medical School of the National University of Athens.
4. BOUMPAS DIMITRIOS, Professor of Pathology-Rheumatology, Medical School of the National University of Athens, 4th Pathology Clinic, National University Hospital "ATTIKON", with the deputy BOUZANI MARIA, Hematologist, Director of the National Health Service, Hematology and Lymphoma Clinic, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, General Hospital "EVANGELISM".
5. ALEVIZOPOULOS NEKTARIOS, Oncologist-Pathologist, Curator of the 1st Pathological-Oncology Clinic, Oncology Department, General Hospital "EVANGELISM", with deputy RAYA GEORGIA, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
6. ANGELIDAKIS PANAGIOTIS, Director of the National Health Service of Neurology, Neurological Department of the General Hospital "EVANGELISMUS", with the deputy GRIGORIADI NIKOLAOS, Professor of Neurology, Director of the 2nd Neurological Clinic of the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "AHEPA", Department of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

7. SUNDAY PEACE, Doctor of Laws, Lawyer, Special Scientist at the Greek Ombudsman, with the deputy VIDALI PANAGIOTI, Lawyer – Scientific Associate and Legal Advisor of the National Bioethics Committee.
8. KORNARAKIS KONSTANTINOS, Professor of Christian Ethics at the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), with the following as his deputy: METROPOLITAN ANTHIMOS OF ALEXANDROUPOLEUS.
9. PANTAZAKOS PANAGIOTIS, Professor of Philosophy and Bioethics, EKPA, with the deputy CHORIANOPOULOU MARIA, Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics, EKPA.
10. PHILIPPIDES GEORGE, President of the Association for the Protection of Greek Hemophiliacs, with the deputy DEDE NIKOLAOS, Secretary General of the Greek Patients' Union, President of the Greek HIV Association "POSITIVE VOICE".

2. Secretariat

Based on the H.A. No. C5a/59676 (Government Gazette 4131, Issue B/ 22-12-2016), the head of the Secretariat is a health scientist with knowledge of clinical research. The Secretary of the EED and his deputy are appointed by decision of the President of the EOF. The Secretariat is responsible for managing the overall activities of the EED, communicating with stakeholders and the EOF, preparing and supporting the meetings of the Committee, drafting and communicating opinions and decisions, as well as providing secretarial support to the President and its members.
Gerasimos Moschonas, Pharmacist, MSc, has been appointed as Secretary of the EED. Eleni Prountzou is the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the EED.

3. External rapporteurs/scientific collaborators assist the EED by preparing proposals and with scientific research assigned to them by the Committee, depending on their field of expertise.

Thanks to the scientific expertise and experience, as well as the professionalism, speed and efficiency of all members of the EED and the secretariat, an important project is being carried out, which allows:
• The participation of Greek Hospitals in International studies and the cooperation and strengthening of scientific relations between Greek scientists and the International Biomedical community.
• The production of research work, which, when published in authoritative international scientific journals, promotes both Greek scientists and Greek Hospitals.
• The possibility of good knowledge and direct experience of the participating Greek scientists regarding new treatments before the drug is released on the pharmaceutical market.
• The reduction of the cost of hospitalization and pharmaceutical sponsorship of Hospitals, as well as of public and/or private insurance funds, given that the sponsor of the trial covers the cost of the medications, examinations and trial procedures of the participating patients, which otherwise would be borne by the National Health System and/or the patient.
• The ability for the patient/volunteer to receive modern therapeutic agents, free of charge, while at the same time having continuous supervision by the trial research team (pre-arranged appointments at regular intervals, special tests, etc.). This is even more important for patient cases that cannot be treated by existing treatments.
• The inflow of funds from abroad, as the studies are financed by the sponsors, based on a financial contract, which is processed through the special research account (ELKE or ELKEA), constituting an important alternative source of financing for the Greek economy.
• The recruitment of specialist scientists (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) through the special research account (ELKE or ELKEA), who participate in the Research team of the study, but also support the work of the Clinic/Hospital in general. Also, the recruitment of staff for secretarial support and administrative coordination of the study. These result, in addition to the smooth conduct of the trial, in improving the quality of the health services provided by the clinic, but also in the creation of new jobs.
• The modernization of the technological equipment of hospitals and the increase of know-how.
• Maintaining and creating new jobs in other sectors related to Clinical Trials, such as Pharmaceutical Companies, Contract Research Organizations (CRO), Public Organizations / Agencies, Laboratory Testing Centers, etc.
• The optimization of "good practices" in the workplace (hospitals, companies, public bodies), through cooperation and exchange of views both among those involved in the studies in Greece and abroad.
• The cooperation of the EEC with other EU Ethics Committees in the context of exchanging views and formulating guidelines/regulations, with benefit, as final recipients, for the Greek Scientific community/Hospitals as well as for patients.

The National Ethics Committee (NEC) was established in 2003 with Ministerial Decision DYG3/89292/30.12.2003 and operates as an independent advisory body, headquartered at the Hellenic Federation of Medical Sciences.
The EED is established and staffed by decision of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity following a proposal from the Board of Directors of EOF.
Based on the Ministerial Decision "Establishment and operating regulations of the AED for Clinical Studies" (Government Gazette 1503, Issue B, 7.10.2004), the AED consists of 9 members (and 9 alternates), while from 22/3/2017 based on the Ministerial Decree No. C5a/59676 (Government Gazette 4131, Issue B/ 22-12-2016), the AED consists of 10 members, with the participation of a patient representative (member of a legally established association to ensure the rights of patients).
The term of office of members is three years and is renewable.
The ADE provides opinions on the conduct of Clinical Trials (interventional drug studies) or Clinical Research on Medical Devices, applying the following general principles:
• Clinical Studies comply with generally accepted ethical principles, the Declaration of Helsinki, the principles and standards of good clinical practice (ICH-GPs), as well as Current Greek and European Legislation.
• The mental and physical health and integrity of participants, as well as social well-being, are protected.
• The moral rights and dignity of participants are protected.
• The confidentiality of participants' personal data is ensured.
• Special attention is given to vulnerable populations.
• The integrity and transparency of clinical trials are ensured