Collaborative approaches to clinical trials
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Date
2008
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Global Forum for Health Research
Abstract
Scientific research of ten tends to be driven by opportunit y rather than purpose. Many scientists consciously or subconsciously conduct research on issues that are presumed to be topical merely because they are either popular, controversial or are attractive to funders. The results of such research studies tend to be duplicative, repetitive and even outright wasteful. Such outcomes can be avoided by conducting tailor- made research programmes designed to answer specific questions prioritized according to public health needs. Several public–private partnerships (PPPs) and product development partnerships (PDPs) have been founded to promote the conduct of focused research and development to solve specific health problems. 1.Many of these partnerships have concentrated on diseases of povert y.2 However, such custom- built and purposedriven research programmes are also not free of peril since the centralization and control of research may lead to the suppression of competitiveness and creativit y. This approach is quite of ten tied to a top- bot tom strategy, where the funder defines the research agenda, sets the priorities and conducts the research activities.This approach of ten bypasses or minimally involves partners at the bot tom, which in this case happens to be researchers and policy.makers in developing countries,
where the diseases being investigated are endemic. Such an approach should be avoided at all costs. A situation where ‘he who pays the piper calls the tune’ must never arise. All stakeholders,especially those from developing
countries, must be fully involved in the planning of clinical trials. 2 The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) was founded to accelerate research and the development of new or improved inter vention tools against diseases of povert y, specifically HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB), through the conduct of clinical trials. To achieve and sustain this, the partnership must be genuine with equal commitment and full participation, including
planning and implementation by both sets of partners. However, to achieve true partnership, the capacit y of developing country partners to conduct clinical trials according to international standards, and using best practices, must be built and strengthened.
changing as we become increasingly aware that to ensure the success and sustainabilit y of many North–South collaborative
programmes, developing country partners must be empowered to fully participate and co- own these programmes. One of the ways
EDCTP is encouraging this is by integrating capacit y development and networking components into clinical trial grants. The capacit y development component is used to ensure the successful completion of the clinical trials and ser ves as a practical exercise
through ‘learning by doing’ thus enabling the developed capacit y to be utilized immediately, enhancing skill retention and sustainabilit y.The networking component allows for technology transfer and, through South–South mentorship, proliferation of capacit y among the participating developing country partners.
Description
Keywords
Collaborative approach, Clinical trials
Citation
Matlin, S.A., Francisco, A.D., Sundaram, K., Faich, H.S. and Gehner, M., 2008. Health partnerships review: focusing collaborative efforts on research and innovation for the health of the poor. Global Forum for Health Research.pages 63-65