Globalization of clinical trials: ethical and regulatory implications

Authors

  • Ricardo Eccard da Silva Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa)
  • Angélica Amorim Amato University of Brasilia - UnB
  • Dirce Bellezi Guilhem University of Brasilia - UnB
  • Maria Rita Carvalho Garbi Novaes Health Science Education and Research Foundation – Fepecs

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20160472

Keywords:

Clinical Trials, Globalization, Emerging countries, Ethics in research, Regulatory agency, Drugs

Abstract

The globalization of clinical research is a relatively recent phenomenon, in which many of these studies are taking place on a global scale, with a significant increase of clinical trials in developing countries. The largest clinical trials average annual growth from 2005–2012 occurred in Asian (30%), and Latin American/Caribbean (12%) regions; other geographic regions had growth rates less than the world average (8%). The largest average annual growth occurred in lower-middle income (33%) and low-income (21%) regions. Emerging economies from low-middle income countries (Iran, China, Egypt) had the largest country-specific growth; other countries included South Korea, Japan, India, Brazil, and Turkey. With the globalization of clinical trials, it becomes necessary to strengthen legal and ethical guidelines for guaranteeing the research participants’ integrity. Some observers noted, more than a decade ago, that studies were being run in developing countries without concerns regarding adherence to the international ethical principles. The process of globalization of clinical trials, therefore, can be advantageous because, for example, it gives to access to new treatments to participants; however, it requires discussion and the monitoring of ethical questions related mainly to ensuring the integrity, welfare and safety of the research participant; to the frames of reference of bioethics, such as autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and fairness.

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Author Biographies

Ricardo Eccard da Silva, Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa)

Clinical Trials Office

Angélica Amorim Amato, University of Brasilia - UnB

Faculty of Health Sciences

Dirce Bellezi Guilhem, University of Brasilia - UnB

Faculty of Health Sciences. Scientific Productivity Grants from the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq)

Maria Rita Carvalho Garbi Novaes, Health Science Education and Research Foundation – Fepecs

Medical School

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Published

2016-02-14

How to Cite

Silva, R. E. da, Amato, A. A., Guilhem, D. B., & Novaes, M. R. C. G. (2016). Globalization of clinical trials: ethical and regulatory implications. International Journal of Clinical Trials, 3(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20160472

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Section

Review Articles