Medicines Industry Welcomes Clinical Trials Report

“As the industry association representing innovative pharmaceutical companies in New Zealand we believe the Committee has correctly identified the sense of urgency required if this country is to retain a competitive edge in clinical research,” Medicines New Zealand General Manager Kevin Sheehy says.

“The recommendation to build constructive and transparent relationships between Government and the pharmaceutical industry also recognises that partnerships are essential to make progress on complex and important issues like the environment for clinical research.

“Enhancing the efficiency of the ethics system will enhance New Zealand’s environment for clinical research while preserving the ability to ensure patient’s safety and respect for peoples’ rights. We support these recommendations being implemented.

“Development of a national framework for clinical trial research through District Health Boards is essential to the success of any research initiative. If New Zealand is to become acknowledged as a high quality destination for research investment, we should aim to deliver consistent quality and timeliness across all DHBs. The development of appropriate KPIs within DHBs for research, supported by funding allocation is likely to give research the level of importance it deserves in delivering health care.

“We strongly support the recommendation that any research infrastructure purchased should be made available to as many institutions as possible, ensuring that all research centres are enhanced equally through any government funding. Clinical research infrastructure is a major asset to countries that use clinical research to improve healthcare and supplement funding streams. It is essential that the system accurately accounts for these income streams and allocates a portion of them to be reinvested in maintaining and enhancing research infrastructure.

“We believe that the report’s recommendations could have gone further in recommending a single Government agency or ministry be tasked with developing as well as implementing the proposed national health research action plan. Currently there are at least four agencies that have some oversight of research and ensuring collaboration is likely to be difficult at best. There is a real risk that responsibility for delivery of the initiatives will fall into the gaps between these agencies.”

Read the report online at: http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/Documents/Reports/e/8/2/49DBSCH_SCR5154_1-Inquiry-into-improving-New-Zealand-s-environment.htm

ENDS

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