The world’s largest funders of medical research have committed to strengthening clinical trial systems to ensure research better serves patients and communities.
This commitment supports the World Health
Organization (WHO) standards on Best Practices for Clinical Trials and the
Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS).
The goal is to embed clinical trials into a sustainable national health
infrastructure, improve trial design, ensure populations are representative,
and apply best practices in transparency, data management, and public
engagement.
According to WHO, embedding clinical trials
within health systems will help ensure that studies are well-designed, address
key evidence gaps, and include the populations most likely to benefit.
Under the new framework, applicants will be
expected to demonstrate how their proposals involve patients and communities,
include diverse participants, and are guided by systematic reviews.
Dr. Pramod Joshi, Executive Chief-Member
Secretary of the Nepal Health Research Council, said the reforms will help
uphold the highest standards of ethics, quality, and transparency in health
research.
“By working together across countries, we can address shared challenges more
effectively and ensure that research translates into meaningful improvements in
public health in line with the new WHO guidelines,” he said.
Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, President and CEO of
the South African Medical Research Council, said strengthening clinical
research will also improve transparency and accountability.
“A well-coordinated clinical trial ecosystem is vital to the health system,
as it accelerates innovation, supports evidence-based policy, strengthens
regulatory decision-making, and ensures equitable access to safe and effective
interventions for all populations,” he noted.
Dr. John-Arne Røttingen, Chief Executive of
Wellcome, emphasized that clinical trials are critical to delivering effective
interventions and deepening understanding of diseases.
“Without representation and engagement with the communities affected, the
products and policies resulting from clinical trials risk deepening
disparities,” he said.
“To achieve health equity and have
the most impact, trials must be well-designed and reflect the diversity and
context of the communities they aim to benefit.”
Health leaders agree that stronger clinical trial systems are key to identifying successful innovations for prevention and care, and to implementing efficient interventions that improve the health of patients and communities worldwide.
