Government appoints Lord James O’Shaughnessy to conduct an independent review into UK clinical trials landscape

News -

Lord James O'Shaughnessy appointed to conduct a review, due to be published this Spring, into UK clinical trials landscape. 

The government has appointed Lord James O’Shaughnessy, former Health Minister, to conduct an independent review into the UK’s commercial clinical trials landscape.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) have outlined a 44% drop in the number of participants recruited to commercial clinical trials in the last 5 years, a drop that has been largely exacerbated by the pandemic.

 The review will build on the government’s 10-year vision for clinical trials (Saving and Improving Lives: The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery) which was published in March 2021, and will offer recommendations on how to widen NHS patient access to innovative medicines, find new ways to conduct trials, speed up diagnosis and enhance treatments, enabling the NHS to offer top tier medical care.

Lucy Allen, Director of Research at Cystic Fibrosis Trust said “We welcome the news that the government will be conducting a review of the clinical trial landscape in the UK. Cystic Fibrosis Trust strive to support and deliver an innovative portfolio of clinical research in cystic fibrosis, accelerating the development of new and improved treatments for CF. Through the UK CF Clinical Trials Accelerator Platform (CTAP) we are well placed to ensure we maximise potential for all people with CF in the UK to take part in clinical trials. We have supported over 50 studies and trials and over 2000 people with cystic fibrosis have taken part in a CTAP portfolio trial since it’s inception. However, the covid pandemic had a huge impact on recruitment into and delivery of trials in the UK so it is positive that the government is conducting this important review to ensure that the UK remains recognised as a global leader in clinical trials. We look forward to receiving Lord O’Shaughnessy’s recommendation in the Spring."

Loren Cameron, CTAP Data and Projects manager said “Within Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s Clinical Trials Accelerator Platform (CTAP), we are working to support a broad and dynamic portfolio of clinical trials for the UK CF community. This review will hopefully help to strengthen the UK as an attractive place to run commercial trials and help bring more transformative treatments and innovative trial designs to the UK population. I hope the outcomes of this review will support greater consideration of health inequalities and ensure that diversity and inclusion in clinical trials becomes a national priority across all areas of clinical research. Within CTAP we are already looking at how we can reduce barriers to access and ensure everyone with CF in the UK can have opportunity to participate in clinical trials.”

Lord James O’Shaughnessy will publish his advice this spring, setting out clear guidelines on how to improve access and delivery of clinical trials and recommendations on priority actions for 2023.

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