Workshop on Clinical Trials Capacity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

"The concept of clinical trials (for efficacy) as a ‘gateway’ between research and use of products in public health was widely recognized among meeting participants. Clinical trials may be viewed as an exercise around which organizations from many different ‘constituencies’ collaborate but to which they bring different motivations, contributions and levels of resources (hence greater or less ‘power’) and have different aspirations and expectations. These constituencies include: researchers, clinicians and institutions in developing and developed countries; public health ‘practitioners’; various funders, including national health research agencies and foundations; development assistance agencies; commercial pharmaceutical companies; members or representatives of the community in which the trial is undertaken; and the participants in the trial themselves. Each constituency brings its own ‘culture’ and expectations to the collaboration. Problems arise, however, as often not enough care has been taken to reach agreement on widely acceptable outcomes. This, according to the meeting participants, may help to explain difficulties, frustrations and disappointments that often accompany clinical trials and strengthening of the capacity to conduct them."(pg 2)