Boost for clinical trials in Australia

The Rudd government will boost Australia’s profile as a preferred destination for clinical trials, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and Health Minister Nicola Roxon have announced.

“I am pleased to announce the creation of an action Group to cement the nation’s position as a good place for the conduct of clinical trials,” Senator Carr said.

Minister Roxon said it was important that clinical trials were conducted in Australia where possible.

“Phase I–IV trials are worth $450m each year to Australia. Global rationalisation trends and emerging competition from low-cost centres threaten Australia’s long-term competitiveness as a destination for pharmaceuticals clinical trials,” Minister Roxon said.

Senator Carr said that the Action Group will be asked to identify ways to ensure:

• coordinated, nationwide approaches to clinical trials and performance measures;
• streamlined ethics approvals systems;
• national patient referral networks; and
• better ways to approve, establish and conduct clinical trials.

“The flow-on investment from clinical trials is a significant contributor to Australia's R&D effort. As well as the health benefits for patients receiving early access to new medicines, pharmaceutical companies are more likely to conduct later stage trials in Australia if early stage trials for that compound have already been conducted here,” Senator Carr said.

The group will be co-chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, The Hon Richard Marles MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Health, The Hon Mark Butler MP.

The group will report to Ministers Carr and Roxon by 31 March 2010 and will complement the program being undertaken by the National Health and Medical Research Council through the Harmonisation of Multicentre Ethical Review (HoMER) enabling system.

The group will include members of the Pharmaceuticals Industry Working Group (PIWG) and be supported by officials from the Innovation and Health departments.

This initiative responds to the calls from the Pharmaceuticals Industry Strategy Group (convened by the Rudd government) to investigate priority reforms to the clinical trials operating environment to make Australia a more attractive location for investment and activity.