There is much post-Brexit talk of using our new-found political independence to liberalise clinical trials in the U.K. We can cut ourselves free of all that terrible EU red-tape that has weighed us down. Or so the argument goes. We can be quicker and more efficient than other countries. We will be more attractive to … Continue reading The post-Brexit liberalisation of #clinicaltrials could be the way to a bolder ambition for the UK
clinical trial costs
Is it time to give patients the opportunity to self-refer themselves to take part in NHS research?
Harpal Kumar, the Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, yesterday posted a blog about the new task force he is leading for NHS England on cancer diagnosis. The aim of the task force is to enable people to get an earlier and speedier diagnosis of their tumour in the future. But it will also be looking at treatment and … Continue reading Is it time to give patients the opportunity to self-refer themselves to take part in NHS research?
Even pharma must understand the perils of Schwanning about in a storm
On New Year's Eve I took my family up 'The Shard,' London's newest and tallest landmark. As we looked Eastwards a squall was readying itself over the North Downs; the latest in a succession of storms to batter our shores over the past few weeks. Low-flying clouds threatened to swallow us whole. The wind roared around … Continue reading Even pharma must understand the perils of Schwanning about in a storm
UK Clinical Trials Gateway (UKCTG) now shows open trials by location in early Xmas stocking filler for patients
I once wrote an article for a local rag bemoaning the state of the town's railway station. When, two days later, the council announced plans for its complete redevelopment I expressed my shame and guilt to a friend for not having known this. "Simon," he said after a long pause, "it sounds like a simple case … Continue reading UK Clinical Trials Gateway (UKCTG) now shows open trials by location in early Xmas stocking filler for patients
Big month in Brussels for clinical trials…but let’s not be hasty
It's going to be a 'big-ish' month in the EU for clinical trials. By most accounts, EU legislators will reach a compromise agreement on the proposed new Clinical Trials Regulation in time for Christmas. The key focus for industry bodies is around making sure the legislation embraces aggressive timelines for the approval of clinical trials. Remind me, isn't … Continue reading Big month in Brussels for clinical trials…but let’s not be hasty
@RBandH Guest blog: Promoting Clinical Research Locally – From ‘OK to Ask’ to Research Changed my Life
Promoting Clinical Research Activities and Opportunities Locally – From OK to Ask to Research Changed my Life Mark Terry, Research Office, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust (m.terry@rbht.nhs.uk) 2013 has been notable for the strong momentum provided by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to NHS Trusts in our efforts to raise awareness of … Continue reading @RBandH Guest blog: Promoting Clinical Research Locally – From ‘OK to Ask’ to Research Changed my Life
Do I detect a slight fumble of the ball in today’s Commons Select Committee report on clinical trials?
Not for the first time I was awake at 3am this morning. Cup of tea in hand, watching American football. It's amazing how those players keep the ball when so many other players are piling on top of them. Rarely do you see the thing break free. They must practice for hours.... The House of Commons … Continue reading Do I detect a slight fumble of the ball in today’s Commons Select Committee report on clinical trials?
An unleaked memo on sorry pharma and the silly season
Or should that be silly pharma...I don't know. Yes, our colleagues from pharma have stolen the march on everyone else and got the silly season off to a grand old start. I am referring, of course, to the leaked memo from the European and American pharma trade associations dutifully covered by Ian Semple at The … Continue reading An unleaked memo on sorry pharma and the silly season
Research transparency: HRA shows a cool head where others fear to tread
The public might just be on the verge of getting the sort of health research regulator they need and deserve. Yesterday the Health Research Authority (HRA) published its plans for promoting transparency around publication of health research findings. Of particular note from a public and patient perspective is its proposal to: 'set standards and issue … Continue reading Research transparency: HRA shows a cool head where others fear to tread
Political spotlight on Health Research Authority (HRA) intensifies
I am sure the new Health Research Authority (HRA) can take care of itself. But the expectations being heaped on it by others show no signs of abating. I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow someone calls on it to cure cancer. If it had been created by a Blair Government it would surely have been … Continue reading Political spotlight on Health Research Authority (HRA) intensifies
New websites launched for people looking to join a clinical trial; but will patients want a ‘coming together’ at some point?
This week, patients got a couple more options for finding out about clinical trials they can take part in. Patientslikeme (which was launched in the United States a few years ago) has unveiled its new new clinical trials site which you can find here. Patientslikeme is capturing a lot of attention here in the UK … Continue reading New websites launched for people looking to join a clinical trial; but will patients want a ‘coming together’ at some point?
Charity right on Target with patient insights on clinical trials: where are the others?
This evening I have been reading a fascinating report about women with ovarian cancer and their access to clinical trials. Last week, Target Ovarian Cancer published the results of their 2012 Pathfinder Study. It is an excellent piece of work. What I like about it is that it digs around issues to do with choice … Continue reading Charity right on Target with patient insights on clinical trials: where are the others?
Testing, testing: please put Testing Treatments interactive through its paces
With the sort of timing which makes me wonder whether I missed my vocation as a TV scheduler it only seems right that, on the day the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee has announced its inquiry into access to clinical trial data, I should ask you to road-test 'TestingTreatments interactive.' 'Testing Treatments interactive' is the … Continue reading Testing, testing: please put Testing Treatments interactive through its paces
Current Controlled Trials (CCT) appoints new advisory board
Current Controlled Trials (CCT), which aims 'to increase the availability, and promote the exchange, of information about ongoing randomised controlled trials worldwide,' has appointed a new advisory board to help it in its work. Other than yours truly, the Board includes Ben Goldacre and Paul Wicks (PatientsLikeMe) among its members, and is drawing on international … Continue reading Current Controlled Trials (CCT) appoints new advisory board
Cancer patient experience survey results show variations in access to clinical trials and research
The results of the annual cancer patient experience survey are out today. For those of us committed to improving patient access to clinical trials and other research, this year's report is particularly interesting. As far as I know, this is the first year that the survey asked patients whether taking part in research had been discussed … Continue reading Cancer patient experience survey results show variations in access to clinical trials and research
Clinical trials and children: impact on outcomes
Interesting paper from the Annals of Oncology and covered in PharmaTimes on how access to clinical trials has led to better outcomes for children with cancer. The data relates to clinical trial activity promoted by the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group. A direct quote from the article says: "Between 1966 and 1970 just 28% of young … Continue reading Clinical trials and children: impact on outcomes
There is no point to the javelin
It has come to this. The world's top tennis players rush their shots to beat an 11pm curfew. Bruce and Sir Paul are turned-off mid-performance. And they don't use real javelins in schools. Looking across the the athletics field at my sons' school sports day, I spied a clutch of children competing in the javelin. Except this … Continue reading There is no point to the javelin
PLoS ONE study – I’d go further: poor quality information undermines rights of clinical trial participants
On my recent visit to Newcastle, my afternoon was spent talking to, and answering questions from, the public about research. Clinical trials featured heavily. The most common theme was their frustration over the poor quality information given to trial participants before, during and after a trial had finished. The journal, PloS ONE, has today published a … Continue reading PLoS ONE study – I’d go further: poor quality information undermines rights of clinical trial participants
Pfizer undaunted by social media hurdles in clinical trial recruitment
This was reported last week in the US press but I have not seen it covered here in the UK. Pfizer has reeled-in its social media strategy for recruiting patients to a US clinical trial of over-active bladder drug, Detrol. But it hopes to come back next year with a renewed 'virtual trial strategy.' In the meantime … Continue reading Pfizer undaunted by social media hurdles in clinical trial recruitment
The Academy reports on research regulation…and a reminder of the Guardian’s Q&A about public involvement
The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) today published its report of the meeting it held a few months ago, looking at progress with improving the regulatory of environment for medical research. I blogged about being a panellist at the meeting as you may recall. The report's conclusions are noteworthy for the second bullet point about public … Continue reading The Academy reports on research regulation…and a reminder of the Guardian’s Q&A about public involvement
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