Informed Consent Policy

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Informed Consent Policy

Journal of Innovations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences (JIPBS) requires documented informed consent for all research involving human participants, in accordance with the journal's Ethical Approvals, Patient Rights, and Informed Consent policy and the Declaration of Helsinki.

Scope

This requirement applies to all studies involving human participants, including clinical case reports and case series, patient-derived data or images, and survey-based or qualitative research involving human respondents (e.g., studies in pharmacy practice or hospital pharmacy).

What a Valid Consent Statement Must Confirm

Manuscripts reporting research involving human participants must include a statement in the text confirming that:

  • Informed consent was obtained from all participants, or their parent, guardian, or legally authorized representative, prior to their involvement in the study
  • Participants were informed of the study's purpose and their right to withdraw at any time without consequence
  • Where identifiable information, images, or case details are included, specific written consent for publication was obtained, distinct from consent to participate in the underlying research

What Not to Submit

Authors must not submit the actual signed consent form or document with their manuscript, as this itself would breach participant confidentiality. Only a confirming statement should appear in the manuscript text.

Consent Involving Minors or Vulnerable Populations

Where research involves minors, cognitively impaired individuals, or other populations unable to provide consent directly, authors must confirm that consent was obtained from an appropriate parent, guardian, or legally authorized representative, and describe any additional safeguards applied.

Verification

The editorial team may request evidence that informed consent was obtained (without requiring submission of the consent document itself) where questions arise during review.