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NEWS: Susan Mayor Drug companies agree to make clinical trial results public BMJ 2005; 330: 109 [Full text]

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Broad support from the Institute of Clinical Research, but other sponsors should follow suit

Andrew M Smith   (14 January 2005)

Broad support from the Institute of Clinical Research, but other sponsors should follow suit 14 January 2005
Andrew M Smith, Editor, Clinical Research focus, The Institute of Clinical Research Marlow, SL7 1XH, UK Send response to journal: Re: Broad support from the Institute of Clinical Research, but other sponsors should follow suit	The Institute of Clinical Research broadly supports the joint position statement issued by four major Associations representing the pharmaceutical industry on 6th January 2005. This important move towards transparency in clinical research will play a vital role in improving public confidence in the professionalism and diligence of the clinical research community, and will also enable professionals to avoid unwittingly duplicating earlier studies. The Institute of Clinical Research is keen to support measures that demonstrate and underpin high professional standards in the design, conduct and publication of all forms of clinical research. The majority of commercial organisations sponsoring clinical trials on pharmaceuticals are party to this statement as members of their relevant Associations. However, clinical research around the world is also sponsored by other bodies (including charities, government and healthcare providers). The Institute of Clinical Research calls for all these other sponsoring bodies to consider adopting a similar position with regard to publication of study initiation and results. Only in this way will the clinical research community as a whole demonstrate to the public its commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and transparency. Competing interests: None declared