First, a brief history of time in the Europe Union (EU). It goes slowly. That's it! For the last two years or so the European Commission has been consulting on plans to revise the European Clinical Trials Directive. The Directive has been in force since 2001. Researchers hate it. To be fair so do many … Continue reading At last! A patient-centred statement on the proposed EU Clinical Trials Regulation
European Commission
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
European Commission makes further changes to Directive on Information to Patients
If you are interested in the EU Directive on Information to Patients, known colloquially in La Grande Place as 2001/83/EC, then this article from InPharm which went online this afternoon will get you up to speed with the latest changes made by the European Commission. The most significant of the three recent changes seems to … Continue reading European Commission makes further changes to Directive on Information to Patients
EU plants green shoots of recovery
I mentioned yesterday about the EU Commission's plans to radically overhaul its approach to funding research and innovation. As expected these were launched in the form of a green paper today which is now open for public consultation until 20 May 2011. Quick summary as follows ( eGov also has quite a good overview). The … Continue reading EU plants green shoots of recovery
Pfizer…and innovation emergencies
The news that Pfizer is to close its R&D facility in Sandwich in Kent has shaken us from our sleepy winter hollows. I've been watching the reactions and comments come over the wires as I am sure you have. This is clearly a company going through considerable transition as it tries to change with the … Continue reading Pfizer…and innovation emergencies
Making the EU work better for research charities
On the face of it you might think this a very Friday afternoon sort of article. But, as a discussion of how European foundations operate in a research funding context, it is is extremely interesting. The news peg for it is that plans are afoot by the European Commission to present a regulation for a European Foundation … Continue reading Making the EU work better for research charities
Clinical Trials
A Happy New Year to you all. Given that we are all likely to have to suffer several months of phoney elections wars not to mention the odd leadership coup that isn't I thought it would be refreshing to start the year off with a hard, solid fact. In 2008-2009, AMRC's member charities funded 166 … Continue reading Clinical Trials
A Wellcome round-up to the research week
While the Home Office struggles to recover from its Nutt allergy the rest of us have been busy funding and promoting good science. Our communications officer, Sara, tells me that if I use more searchable terms in my blog headlines I will get more visitors. 'What, more than the million or so I receive each day?' I said. Anyway, … Continue reading A Wellcome round-up to the research week
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 