Press Release
Clinical trials improve healthcare outcomes and make a difference
Clinical research can be a beacon of hope for many. Representing the power of collaboration between volunteer participants and expert teams, clinical research paves the way for new and life-saving medical treatments and advances global health.
October 29, 2024
•3 minutes
Clinical trials advance global health, helping people who struggle with lifelong conditions and facilitating the availability of new medications.
Formerly PCRN: As part of the integration of PCRN into MCR, this content now sits within the MCR website.
As New Zealand’s largest network of private clinical trial sites, Pacific Clinical Research Network (PCRN) works to advance healthcare and facilitate access to treatments in our own communities, along with helping to ensure safe and effective therapies are available worldwide.
Below, experts from PCRN answer some common questions about clinical research and the work PCRN is doing to improve healthcare in New Zealand.
What exactly is clinical research and where does PCRN fit in?
Clinical research is the process of developing potential new treatments for diseases. Medicines must undergo rigorous clinical trials to ensure they are safe and effective before being available on the market.
Clinical trials advance global health, helping people who struggle with lifelong conditions and facilitating the availability of new medications that can greatly improve peoples’ quality of life.
“PCRN puts the participant first and focuses on conducting quality clinical trials for both local and global pharmaceutical and biotech firms, operating from nine sites around the country”says Kacey Murphy, PCRN’s Director of Business Development.
“We conduct trials in your more common conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, but also in more complicated conditions like celiac disease, hepatitis B and various other therapeutic conditions,” she says.
What is PCRN’s mission?
PCRN was established in 2021 after the consolidation of Lakeland Clinical Trials Group and Southern Clinical Trials Group. This partnership brought together a diverse group of doctors and medical professionals with experience running clinical trials since 2002.
PCRN’s team knows that clinical research helps improve lives, and that’s why their mission is to ensure the work they do here in New Zealand paves the way for global availability of innovative medicines and treatments, says Dr Paul Hamilton, PCRN’s Clinical Director – Early Phase.
“Every medical professional, whether they are a doctor, a nurse or an allied health professional, wants to do what’s best for their patients, and by that, I mean they want to be practising evidence-based medicine. We want to know that new treatments are safe for our patients, and we want to know that they work as intended and are likely to be effective. PCRN are at the forefront of testing new medicines which have direct, tangible effects and hopefully benefits for our patients.”
How does NZ’s clinical research compare to the rest of the world?
“On average we have exceeded our recruitment targets for all completed studies for the past 10 years and have a patient retention rate of 94% which is high compared to the industry standard.”
Good participation rates mean equally good research results, says McKellar. “The quality of data that comes out of New Zealand is really high, and that is underpinned by the standard of medical care in New Zealand being exceptionally good, with highly trained clinical staff.”
McKellar says New Zealand’s global connectivity, combined with financial considerations like exchange rates and taxes, make it a desirable place to conduct clinical research.
What are the benefits of participating in clinical research? And is it safe?
In addition to helping aid a medical solution, you’ll also learn more about your health condition, potentially gain access to new medications at no cost, receive free health check-ups and be reimbursed for your travel and time, says Dr Hamilton.
PCRN is currently advertising for participation in a range of different studies. One study, for example, offers up to $350 per clinic visit for a total of 12 visits over the course of one year, while another offers up to $9379 (before tax).
Clinical research is very safe, adds Dr Hamilton, who notes that clinical research is “one of the most highly regulated environments in the world”.
“There are a robust set of local and international guidelines that help to design clinical trials and make sure that they are safe and ethical to conduct,” he says.
Read the full article on Stuff: https://www.stuff.co.nz/wellbeing/350431195/clinical-trials-improve-healthcare-outcomes-and-make-difference
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