Funding boost for clinical trials

The Australian Clinical Trials Alliance has welcomed the funding commitment for clinical trials and registries in the Federal Budget.

“Clinical trials and registries are critical to the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective health care. They produce extremely high returns on investment — many fold higher than accepted thresholds for sound public investment — and the benefits can often be seen in years, not decades,” said ACTA Chair Professor John Zalcberg OAM.

The government has set aside $5 million to advance clinical trials for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Additional investment will expand two national clinical quality registries to drive better outcomes for patients with implanted cardiac devices and breast implants.

The announcement reaffirms the government’s commitment to achieving the MRFF capital target of $20 billion by 2020/21, said ACTA in a statement. In what can be seen as a win-win for patients and the economy, a total of $33 million to boost clinical trials activity in Australia was announced.

Details around a further $28 million to support clinical trials under the MRFF are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

“ACTA and its members eagerly await the announcement of further details about how the $28 million will be invested, but the clear prioritisation of clinical trials in this Budget will be welcomed across the sector,” Professor Zalcberg said.