European Science Foundation 's EMRC Strengthens Training Course On Clinical Trials Management

Main Category: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 15 Feb 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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Around 170 doctors, nurses and medical researchers from Europe and North America were given important insights into how to run successful clinical trials across national boundaries at a two-day training course in Croydon, UK.

The course, sponsored by the European Science Foundation as part of its Pan-European Clinical Trials (ECT) programme, heard expert speakers on all aspects of clinical trials with a specific focus on the Euramos trial into the rare bone cancer osteosarcoma.

Dr. Carole Moquin-Pattey, head of the European Medical Research Councils (EMRC) unit from the ESF, said, "It is crucial to have so many dedicated people sharing their expertise and experience. International collaboration on investigator-driven clinical trials is going to become increasingly important and workshops such as these are vital to help us improve and simplify the management of the many complex issues involved."

ESF is co-ordinating two clinical trials through its EUROCORES scheme. These trials are into two rare bone conditions, osteosarcoma (Euramos) and fibrous dysplasia (Profidys). International and European collaborations are vital for such rare conditions because no single country has sufficient patients to launch a study that would yield meaningful results.

Patients are currently being recruited to the studies and the meeting heard that recruitment is on target. The two ECT projects are proving crucial in laying the foundations for subsequent international trials: ESF's membership organisation for medical research councils across Europe, European Medical Research Councils (EMRC) recently announced a strategic review of cross-border trials, called a Forward Look, to pave the way for future 'investigator-driven' clinical trials.

Topics discussed at the meeting in Croydon, on January 24 and 25, included tips on how best to present information to potential recruits to trials, regulations surrounding the reporting of adverse events affecting patients, how to ensure that the targeted number of patients are 'randomised' in the trial in a timely manner, and key issues relating to the role of clinical pharmacists.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Source: Thomas Lau
European Science Foundation