Government Response to Clinical Trials Report Welcomed

7 September 2011

Government Response to Clinical Trials Report Welcomed

The Government’s response to the recently published Health Select Committee Report into Clinical Trials has been welcomed by Medicines New Zealand.

“As the industry association representing innovative pharmaceutical companies in New Zealand we strongly support the Government’s commitment to improving New Zealand's clinical trials environment,” Medicines New Zealand General Manager Kevin Sheehy says

“We are encouraged to see Health Minister Tony Ryall outline how the ethics committee approval process will be streamlined and simplified over the next 10 months through the following steps:

• more comprehensive procedural rules;
• internationally-competitive decision making timelines for ethics committees;
• shorter, simpler application forms; and
• an easier application system online.

“We are however disappointed that the Government does not intend to follow the recommendation to create a formal working group with industry to provide further input to the implementation of the report’s recommendations,” Mr Sheehy says.

“We welcome the changes aimed at ensuring the ethics committees are more efficient and transparent as this will improve New Zealand’s environment for clinical research while preserving the ability to ensure patients’ safety and respect for peoples’ rights.

“The changes will help New Zealand become acknowledged as a high quality destination for research investment,” Mr Sheehy adds.

ENDS

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