U: Millions needed to boost drug trial safety

A University of Minnesota plan to strengthen protections for human research subjects will cost $5.5 million to start and $2.3 million a year for at least several years.

University officials released the projected costs Tuesday along with their final proposals to improve the U's system for overseeing patients enrolled in clinical trials.

Earlier this year, after suffering criticism over how it treats participants in those trials, the U ordered a team to create a plan for dozens of reforms.

Besides the costs, the plan (.pdf) lays out what will change and when the reforms should happen.

University regents are expected to vote on the plan later this week.

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