Clinical trials data sought for first-of-kind study

In support of the work of the Clinical Trials Action Group (CTAG), the Federal Government is conducting a first-of-its-kind study to gauge the level of privately funded clinical research activity in Australia.

CTAG was formed by the Government in 2009 to "cement Australia's place as preferred location for conducting clinical trials" as a sub-group of the Pharmaceutical Industry Working Group, of which AusBiotech is a member.

The Government is calling on companies from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, med-tech and IVD sectors as well as CROs working on clinical trials to participate in the study.

Data from the brief web-based survey will be used to support the development of government initiatives to create a more efficient and cost-effective environment for clinical trials in Australia.

Full results of the survey will be published in the first quarter of 2012 and provide the first body of comprehensive data on the private sector's investment in clinical research in Australia.

The current lack of data is a problem as it allows industry's contribution to health and medical research in Australia to be dramatically undervalued. This in turn undermines the industry's ability to seek urgent reforms to reverse Australia's declining competitiveness as a destination for clinical trial investment.

It is anticipated that similar surveys will be conducted on an annual basis. However, since this is the first of its kind, the Pharmaceuticals Industry Council is assisting the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science & Research (DIISR) to administer this year's survey.

To participate in the survey, please click here.

AusBiotech strongly encourages member companies to complete this very important survey. Responses are requested by 5:00PM, Tuesday, 13 December 2011.

Additional information on CTAG, including its final report, can be found here.