Members of the UK Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine have expressed backing for greater transparency in clinical trials in their first survey on the topic. They showed clear support for registration of all clinical trials, earlier publication of the summary results, and increased access to trial data.
- 95% of survey respondents believe that all clinical trials should be registered
- 89% believe that increased publication of clinical trial results (including negative results) will ultimately lead to better medicines and better healthcare for patients
- 73% of respondents thought that clinical trials, irrespective of phase of development, should be published within 1– 2 years of completion (not linked to market authorisation or discontinuation of the project)
- 87% believe that, overall, increased scrutiny of clinical trial data will result in a stronger science base and enhance medical research
- Only 10% believe that increased publication and dissemination of clinical trial results will harm the commercial environment in which companies operate
- 69% supported the requirement for retrospective release of clinical trials data , with the most commonly agreed time frame being data from ~5 years ago
Sources and More Information:
- Clinical trials transparency and access to data,
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, update, 28.8.14. - Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine survey of members on transparency in clinical trials, FPM, Analysis Report, 28.8.14.
- Survey of pharmaceutical physicians shows overwhelming support for the principles of clinical trial transparency, FPM press release.
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine backs greater transparency in clinical trials, BMJ, 349/bmj.g5381, 01 September 2014.