Access under MRC licence
A collaboration between GPRD and the MRC now allows for free access to GPRD data for UK academic groups over the next five years. By broadening access to this invaluable resource, it is anticipated that this initiative will further the public health and clinical research agenda.
Applications are now invited for access to GPRD data under the MRC licence. For more details of eligibility and how to apply, please click here.
What the MRC licence and support provides
- a 5 year licence with MRC to support use of Level 4 data for up to 50 approved proposals for academically–led proposals per year
The support includes:
- a sample dataset of 5,000 random patient records on CD-ROM available on request to all enquirers for the purpose of assessing the applicability of the GPRD for the intended research and to gain an understanding of the data content and format.
- feasibility counts to all enquirers within seven (7) days. These are limited to the provision of basic numbers of subjects within the GPRD with a given condition(s) and the number of prescriptions for a given drug(s).
- a maximum of two (2) days of research service time to assist potential Sub-Licensees in preparing protocols and defining project specifications in advance of supplying any dataset.
- upon protocol approval from ISAC and completion of a signed Sub-Licence Agreement, provision of a dataset on CD-ROM or DVD against the agreed specification for each Sub-Licensee. No dataset is to contain in excess of 100,000 subjects. This service to be provided within four (4) weeks of protocol approval or Sub-Licence completion, whichever is the later.
- a maximum of one (1) day of research service time to each Sub-Licensee following delivery of a Dataset, to answer any residual questions.
Additional services not covered by the MRC licence may be requested by Sub-Licensees but these will be subject to additional fees. These additional services may include but are not limited to:
- Anonymisation of Free Text information.
- GP verification services.
- GPRD training.
- Aggregated data tables.
- Research Services (other than those listed above)
The costs of these additional services are available on request from the GPRD Helpdesk (click here for Contacts).
Eligibility
Applications from any UK based researcher who can demonstrate that they will direct the proposed research and be actively engaged in carrying it through. The minimum formal education required is a graduate degree, thought it would normally be expected that an applicant would have been awarded a PhD. Applications involving less experienced researchers should normally be made in collaboration with a more senior colleague
Applicants must be based at a high education institution or academic analogue approved by the Council and holds an employment contract with the education institution.
Principal Investigators based overseas, retired researchers as the sole or principal applicants and students are not eligible to apply.
Terms and Conditions of Accessing the Database under the MRC licence
The terms and conditions of access to the data under the MRC licence include the following:
(i) Access to GPRD data using the MRC licence must be for academic research projects that are not directly supported by other sources. These academic projects must have no commercial funding nor be linked with any other commercial funding that the institution or department may have.
The MRC licence cannot be used for commercially funded projects(ii) The principal investigators of approved protocols will be responsible for complying with the Single Study Dataset Agreement associated with the MRC licence, which they will be required, as Sub-Licensees to sign as a legally binding contract. Importantly, the Agreement includes terms and conditions on the use of GPRD datasets including:
(iii) GPRD datasets cannot be used as teaching tools.
(iv) Acknowledgement of MRC support in providing access to the database in any publications or presentations arising from proposals approved under the MRC licence.
(v) The provision of further information (as requested by MRC via GPRD) on the outcome and output from proposals undertaken through the MRC licence.
Application procedure and Approval process
1. Applicants applying to access GPRD under the MRC licence should follow the usual GPRD procedure (click here for Submission Procedures ) for protocols to be considered by MHRA ’s Independent Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC).
2. If, before submitting a proposal, you wish to determine whether GPRD is suitable for the research you plan to undertake, or you wish to discuss your dataset requirements with GPRD staff, the following options are available:
(i) A free sample dataset of 5,000 random patient records on CD-ROM available on request to all enquirers for the purpose of assessing the applicability of the GPRD for the intended research and to gain an understanding of the data content and format.
(ii) Feasibility counts which provide prescription or disease counts to assess the feasibility of using GPRD as a resource for a study are available free of charge from GPRD.
(iii) Discussions with GPRD Helpdesk staff to assist potential Sub-Licensees in the preparation of protocols and defining project specifications in advance of supplying any dataset.
These services should be requested from the GPRD.
3. Submit your completed proposal and application form to MHRA ’s Independent Scientific Advisory Committee for consideration (ISAC)
Proposals to access GPRD data under the MRC licence have to be approved by the ISAC on which there will be MRC representation. Applicants are advised to read the information on ISAC before submitting a protocol.
4. Await ISAC decision which may be either approve, revise or decline.
5. If your application is approved, you will need to sign the Sub-Licence Agreement which includes the MRC's Terms and Conditions for accessing the database. Following this, GPRD will provide you with the dataset, as specified in the approved protocol, on either CR-Rom or DVD.Access to the database through the MRC licence for approved protocols will be permitted on a first come first served basis (up to 50 per year).
Contact Details
If you have any queries regarding MRC’s licence with GPRD, please contact Dr. Lelia O'Connell at MRC Head Office.
If you have any queries about GPRD, please contact the GPRD Helpdesk.