Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly has established a National Clinical Trials Oversight Group to develop recommendations to increase the number of trials taking place in Ireland.
The National Clinical Trials Oversight Group is to propose sustainable solutions, with a view to creating more efficiencies in the clinical trials system. This, said the Department of Health, would ensure Ireland could build on its excellent reputation across the clinical trials landscape and further position the State as a key strategic host in attracting international clinical trials.
“At present, Ireland is not attracting as many clinical trials as some other European countries. National initiatives have been implemented and additional steps are being taken to address this and improve the clinical trial landscape in Ireland. Solutions are required to address challenges that remain, including, the excessive administrative burdens, workforce, and operational resources, as well as slow start-up speeds.”
Establishing the new oversight group, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, said, “Over the last 15 years, my Department has invested more than €150 million in clinical trials and research support services. Good progress has been made in improving the clinical trials landscape in Ireland, but challenges remain. Ireland is not attracting as many clinical trials as some other European countries. We need to do better for patients. I want to double the number of clinical trials taking place in Ireland and I have established the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group to propose tangible, innovative solutions.
Chair of the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group is Professor Donal Brennan, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology, University College Dublin and Gynaecological Oncologist, Mater Hospital
The other members are Prof Alistair Nichol, Chairperson, National Research Ethics Committee for Clinical Trials, Professor Of Critical Care Medicine, UCD, Director, Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network and Consultant Anaesthetist and Intensivist, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dr Ana Terres, Assistant National Director, Head of Research and Evidence, HSE, Dr Caitriona Walsh, Managing Director Innovative Medicines and Country President, Novartis Ireland, Prof Fidelma Dunne, Professor in Medicine, University of Galway and Consultant Endocrinologist, Galway University Hospital, Dr Finnuala Lonsdale, Director Human Product Authorisation and Registration, Health Products Regulatory Authority, Ms Lucy Nugent, CEO, Tallaght University Hospital, Dr Mairéad O’Driscoll, CEO, Health Research Board, Prof Martina Hennessy, Clinical Pharmacologist and Consultant Physician, St James’s Hospital, Director, Wellcome Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility, St James’s Hospital, Associate Professor in Medical Education, Trinity College Dublin and Deputy Chair, Health Research Board Clinical Research Coordination Ireland, Mr Muiris O’Connor, Assistant Secretary General, Research and Development and Health Analytics, Department of Health, Prof Paul McNally, Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and Director of Research and Innovation, Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, Prof Peter Doran, Director, University College Dublin Clinical Research Centre and Professor of Clinical Trials, UCD School of Medicine, Dr Robert O’Connor, Director, Health Research Board National Clinical Trials Office, Ms Rose Kidd, President, Operations Delivery, ICON Plc., Prof Seamus O’Reilly, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Cork University Hospital and Clinical Lead, Cancer Trials Ireland, Ms Simone Walsh, Programme Manager, Irish Research Nurses and Midwives Network and Activation Manager, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland Clinical Research Centre, Ms Siobhán Gaynor, Patient and Public Involvement representative and Ms. Vicky McGrath, CEO, Rare Diseases Ireland.
