Germany: No. 2 in the world for clinical studies by research-based pharmaceutical companies
10.06.2016 14:55
In 2015, Germany was once again number 2 in the world for clinical drug studies conducted by research-based pharmaceutical companies. This emerges from an evaluation of the public study register “clinicaltrials.gov”, which the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa) presented in Berlin on June 10th. With 599 studies, Germany is ahead of the UK (547), only surpassed by the USA (2,397).
Berlin medical institutions were at the forefront: they took part in 226 studies. This is followed by Hamburg (153), Munich (142), Frankfurt am Main (117), Essen (86), Hanover (81), Cologne (79), Dresden (77), Leipzig (69) and Heidelberg (64). Most studies were about testing new treatments against cancer (136) or inflammatory diseases such as asthma, multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease (111).
In total, studies were conducted on 204 different diseases. Birgit Fischer, the general manager of the vfa, says: “The many clinics and medical practices that contribute to the progress of medicine are a strength of Germany. This is one of the reasons why research-based pharmaceutical companies in this country invest around 5.8 billion euros annually in laboratory research and clinical studies.”
Fischer continues: “Testing drugs in studies is only possible because companies can work closely with treating doctors in medical facilities; and because some of their patients are interested in taking part in the studies after being fully informed. For years, this work on therapeutic progress took place largely behind closed doors. That didn't do the acceptance of our industry any good. That's why we've been consistently focusing on the traceability of what we do for several years - on transparency. What happens in studies can already be easily followed in public databases. In a next step, our companies will also disclose by the end of the month what services they pay as part of their collaboration with doctors. This will make them a pioneer in the economy and in the healthcare system when it comes to transparency.”