Clinical Trials around the Globe
Clinical Trials and Research is an area that is expanding exponentially on a global scale, with more focus on gene and cell therapy most recently. Having recently traveled back from Zurich, coupled with my current dealings on a global scale with research organisation and pharmaceutical industry, it has put research into perspective and given me time to reflect on the importance and impact of clinical trials for both the economy and people.
How prominent is research globally? ClinicalTrials.Gov has a great tool to summarise worldwide research and break it down into areas of the world, as well as types of studies. Here's the table as it stands today:
As per usual legends, the redder the area, the more activity there is. USA and Europe are clear leaders in research, with China as a distant third. Worldwide total of clinical research that is occuring at this point in time is 258,357 studies. Shockingly, United States makes up as much as 41% of that figure, with Europe contribution amounting to just over half of USA's figure of 28%. Now compare this alongside the population of these two areas (Worlddomoters.info): USA = 325,272,037 versus Europe = 742,276,696.
Hang on a minute...
Europe has more than double the population of USA! How are we so far behind in clinical research compared to the USA? This is something that is very clear in my job and I find it sad it is such a contrast between the two world leaders. There are constant news on US companies overtaking within the pharmaceutical industries, talks of mergers, buy-outs, liquidation. So where has it all gone wrong for Europe? Why are we so far behind? What are we lacking that the USA has? Should we be learning from them?
Let's break down Europe and see how the UK ties in as a research leader amongst the European countries as we are still technically part of the European Union!
In descending order of study numbers, here are the top 5 countries in the EU:
1. France - 18440 (25% of total EU studies)
2. Germany - 16401 (23% of total EU studies)
3. UK - 14146 (19% of total EU studies, just over 5% of total worldwide studies)
4. Italy - 10148 (14% of total EU studies)
5. Spain - 9904 (14% of total EU studies)
In 2016, UK only had 10566 trials, making up just over 3% of the total contribution to worldwide research and showing a clear upward trajectory in terms of study numbers and active participation and creation of clinical trial data. 2% (3580) is a good increase and indication of that things are looking positive.
Who knows what 2018 figures will bring, we are not far off from Germany or France to take the top spot as EU leaders! But let's see what Brexit brings and how our government and people can work together to ensure clinical trials and research doesn't suffer in the UK because of it.
Why is it important to look at research or be active in promoting research? What can I do to take part in research as a career? What skills do I need to call myself a researcher? What impact will Brexit have on UK regulations and trials, how will it differ from today's regulations within the EU? If you are interested in more, come and talk to me to discuss courses or just to have a chat!
You can drop me an Email: info@cortexcl.com Or Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/annarsong
