Call for Ethical Clinical Trials in Developing Countries: Update

The Call for Ethical Clinical Trials in Developing Countries has been formulated out of concern about the shift in many clinical drug trials away from the richer nations and towards developing countries, and the associated ethical violations. It represents a call to action for policy makers, regulators and pharmaceutical companies to protect vulnerable trial subjects and it has been signed by leading figures in the field of medicine and ethics, and other concerned parties. The call was drafted by a worldwide coalition of health and human rights organizations and experts led by the Wemos Foundation.

One year after the launch of the FairDrugs.org campaign, in February 2009, the number of supporters of the ‘Call for Ethical Clinical Trials in Developing Countries’ is nearly 170, including leading figures in the field of medicines and ethics. They lend enormous weight to the campaign and motivate politicians, policymakers and pharmaceutical companies to pay attention to ethics.

The site www.FairDrugs.org, the hub of the campaign, encourages individuals and organizations to sign the ‘Call for Ethical Clinical Trials in Developing Countries’. The Call has been formulated out of concern about the shift in many clinical drug trials away from the richer nations and towards developing countries, and the associated ethical violations.

They signed the Call
‘It really hurts me that pharmaceutical companies take the risk of injuring people for commercial reasons only.’ Indignation is the main drive for supporting the online FairDrugs.org campaign. Supporters from different parts of the world explain why they signed. Read more

Lobby pays off
Policy makers increasingly invite Wemos to share ideas on ethical clinical trials in developing countries. This month, the organization will present its views to Members of the European Parliament. Annelies den Boer, Project Coordinator Medicines: ‘Ethics are finally becoming part and parcel of the European procedure for granting marketing authorization for new drugs.’ Read more

Watchdog for Latin America
‘It can be argued that the pharmaceutical industry takes little account of people’s real needs, and none whatsoever of those in developing countries.’ Núria Homedes coordinates the Latin American Network on Ethics and Pharmaceuticals (RELEM), which keeps a watchful eye on pharmaceutical companies. Read more

‘Everything is political’
Doctors must not close their eyes to what is happening, argues Indian researcher Sandhya Srinivasan. It is increasingly common for pharmaceutical products intended for the western market to be trialed in developing countries. In these trials, ethics are not always the primary concern. Read more

‘People have to insist on fair drugs’
Drug trials that take place in less affluent parts of the world often fall short of international ethical norms and codes of practice. To reverse this, people need to insist that all clinical research on humans meets the highest ethical standards, argues investigative reporter Sonia Shah. Read more

International Clinical Trials’ Day 2010
Thursday 20 May marks International Clinical Trials’ Day 2010. A wonderful occasion for Wemos and its coalition partners to call on politicians, policymakers, regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies to respect the rights of trial subjects in developing countries. More information will be available soon on www.wemos.nl and www.FairDrugs.org.

Add your signature
You didn’t sign the ‘Call for Ethical Clinical Trials in Developing Countries’ yet? Add your online signature.

(update by Wemos, 5 February 2010)