Clinical Trials and Foreign Affairs - Key Points to Consider When Conducting Studies Abroad

Pharmaceutical companies often resort to otherconduct a specific clinical trial.
countries such as Africa, Asia, Latin America andThe Corruptions Perceptions Index, supervised by
Eastern Europe in attempt to further enhanceTransparency International (a not-for-profit
revenue growth and to carry out clinical trials thatorganisation based in Berlin), affords a foundation for
are, by comparison, far more cost-effective. Thewhich the threat of corruption can be estimated.The
attraction of these emerging markets isindex is designed to rate countries based on the
acknowledged by many in the industry; where anviews of state analysts and business executives.India
expanding middle class allows for more healthcarewas ranked 85th , China 72nd and Brazil 18th out of
spending and where there are a number of willing and180 countries where the country ranked the lowest
treatment-naïve volunteers available to recruit.would be considered to be the least corrupt.
The conduct of Clinical Trials has become costPharmaceutical and Biotechnology organisations need
effective in these countries.to consider this before looking to outsource their
Due to the vast increase in research, sales andstudies in other countries. This industry should fully
production in these regions, CRO's (clinical researchknow the about the ethical violations that Clinical
organisations), biotech and pharmaceutical companiesResearch Organisations may come across If these
are now being challenged with ethical businessorganisations are ignorant towards this, the clinical trial
problems. Some countries are faced with corruptionmay in turn be jeopardised or the trial outcome
issues around clinical trials due to the need forreport could be made invalid if the CRO carrying out
logistical and institutional capacities, trials beingthe study have breeched any ethics violations that
approved are taken for granted or are increasinglymay be in place. This could be detrimental for the
difficult to attain which leads to back-handing ororganisation's reputation, and could hinder any
bribes for securing the necessary approval tobusiness in that country for the future.