Submissions open for clinical trials action

The federal government’s Clinical Trials Action Group is looking for feedback about ways Australia can enhance its position as a preferred destination for clinical trials.

Public submissions are being sought, following the release of discussion papers by Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, Richard Marles, and Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler, who co-chair the Action Group.

“Pharmaceutical clinical trials are worth $450 million each year to Australia,” Marles said. “They keep Australia and our highly skilled clinical experts at the cutting edge of medical breakthroughs and have additional benefits for our science industries.”

“Clinical trials play an important role in improving healthcare for all Australians,” Butler said. "This submission process will help us target reforms to keep these trials in Australia against emerging competition."

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

1. developing a clinical trials road map;
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; and
5. developing an Information and Communications Technology strategic plan for clinical trials.

For further background on the consultation process and discussion papers, visit www.innovation.gov.au/clinicaltrials. Submissions to the Action Group may be forwarded to pharmaceutical@innovation.gov.au and will close on 15 January 2010.