Develop a clear regulatory framework for research
It is important that research is conducted within an appropriate regulatory framework. But charities are concerned that poorly streamlined regulation is delaying research, increasing costs and making it harder for charities to fund projects. This threatens to harm the UK as a location for cutting-edge research for patient benefit.
Compared to our European competitors, the UK is now slower to initiate clinical trials, slower to recruit patients, and trials in the UK are more expensive to run.
Working with industry: challenges and opportunities (PPT file 1.1 MB) NHS R&D Development Day; 5 May 2009
A study of the experiences of researchers conducting clinical trials in the UK over the last decade found that the average time to prepare, submit and receive an outcome for an application was 114 days.
Managing Clinical Research in the UK, Swan et al; 2009
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Between 2000 and 2006 the proportion of the world's clinical trials conducted in the UK fell from 6% to 2%, in part because of more attractive regulation and incentives elsewhere.
The review and refresh of bioscience 2015 (PDF) Bioscience Innovation Growth Team; 2009
Life science blueprint (PDF 547 KB) Office of Life Sciences; 2009
In 2008-09, AMRC’s member charities funded over 150 clinical trials in the UK at a cost of over £60 million.
AMRC grants database
'We support a wide range of research from very basic studies through to clinical trials. Any increase in the costs of conducting clinical research will have a huge impact on the entire programme of research that we are able to support.'
Diabetes UK
The regulatory environment can delay and impede clinical research projects, which can cause difficulties for funders.
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Increased costs for clinical trials disproportionately affect research into rarer conditions such as motor neurone disease.
MND Association Manifesto (PDF 622 KB) Challenge 3
From clinical trials and the use of animals in research, to research using human embryos, UK policymakers have successfully worked with the scientific community to develop internationally recognised, robust regulation governing medical research.
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The Academy of Medical Sciences has been comissioned by the government to review the regulation and governance of clinical research in the UK.
More info from the Academy of Medical Sciences»