Mobilize Portugal for clinical trials – Observer
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A fundamental component of health knowledge and a source of scientific and economic research that should be especially valued by any country.
For 10 years the Harvard Research Government to study a partnership with the University in the field of medicine. This program represents a funding of 2.5 million euros. Two years later, the Clinical Research Law was approved and, in 2018, the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB). These investments mean, more for the symbolism than for the value of a self, a sign of the need of our country to bet on clinical research as a factor of clinical development. With this bet, one would think that Portugal can protect today at the forefront of this sector in European terms, but this does not correspond to reality.
Knowing that clinical trials have benefits for scientific patients and the economy, why hasn’t Portugal taken advantage of its full potential? A PwC study on this topic published in 2019 (an update of what was done in 2013 for APIFARMA) identifies several constraints in relation to its development in Portugal. These barriers to do with sectoral policies, have organization, infrastructure, incentives, training, careers, technology and information.
Clinical trials are essential for the development of new drugs and the evolution of clinical research. They are useful for patients and the clinical staff, and can serve to improve care and provide a mobilization of research and development communities. They create value for others and attract investment from important shareholders nationals and internationals. Puts the country on the radar of networks of innovation in health.
Portugal needs to become attractive in this area and ten years after kick-off to have a industry of clinical trials is necessary for the country to increase its international visibility in this area.
Some of the initiatives in the PwC study to reinforce and disseminate strategic research for Portugal, the tax incentive policy to develop a clinical practice for this activity, create a system of recognition and importance of researchers and measures for research in the investigations of health units at the level, periodic evaluation and promotion of monitoring of the integration and optimization of the different national information systems.
For years, the economic impact of clinical trials in Portugal reached 87 million euros. Considering the proposed initiatives in the PwC study, it was projected that this impact could reach 145 million in 2021, stimulating innovation and knowledge sharing.
Knowing the initiative of the pharmaceutical industry in investments in research and development – according to the Commission, in 2016, in 2016, the World Commission in this area – the development sector of the clinical trials sector would certainly put Portugal on the radar greater these investments At a critical moment for our country, with the application of PRR funds and what this represents for the future of our economy, attention is recently given to clinical research in Portugal and the role it may play in the scientific and of our country, as well as for the benefits it can bring to many thousands of patients, who also face the difficulties they face.