Tell the Government how to attract clinical trials

Submissions are now open for the Federal Government's Clinical Trials Action Group, which seeks to improve the Australian clinical trials operating environment with a vision to attracting more trials to this country.

According to co-chair of the group, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, Richard Marles, clinical trials are currently worth $450 million to the Australian pharmaceutical industry.

The group was established in October by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, and the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon.

The Action Group is inviting submissions that focus on five key areas:

1. Developing a clinical trials roadmap

2. Developing key performance measures for clinical trials

3. Ensuring the rapid uptake of streamlined ethics, scientific and governance review processes

4. Strategies to improve patient recruitment

5. Developing an Information and Communications Technology strategic plan for clinical trials

Submissions close on 15 January 2010 and can be sent to:

General Manager Pharmaceuticals, Health Industries and Enabling Technologies Branch Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research GPO Box 9839 Canberra ACT 2601