Unleashing the potential of clinical trials: A vision takes shape
Background
British Columbia offers a world-class collaborative network for conducting clinical trials. We have expert clinical trial investigators and certified coordinators who conduct over 1,300 trials yearly and more than 100 clinical trial sites across the province in hospital, outpatient and community settings. Despite the many strengths in the province, supporting infrastructure for clinical trials varies across BC’s research sites, institutes and health authorities.
We engaged 170 stakeholders in BC and Canada to gain a more robust understanding of BC’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities in the areas of clinical trials capacity, expertise, review and approval processes, and culture. The outcome of this work is the “A Vision for Clinical Trials in British Columbia” document and has been endorsed by the BC Ministry of Health.
The shared vision — bold, aspirational and achievable — reflects a future in which clinical trials investments are maximized for the benefit of all British Columbians:
A robust, innovative, coordinated, and person-centred clinical trials ecosystem improving health and economic outcomes for British Columbians.
Advance vision into action
Throughout the coming months, we will continue our role to catalyze change and mobilize communities for research impact by convening conversations that will lead to further actions to advance the vision. We will continue to foster collaboration and commit to respectful engagement with Indigenous Peoples and communities. We will participate in national efforts to strengthen Canada’s clinical trial environment and BC’s vision for clinical trials will inform this work.
Related updates & events
Health Research BC has contracted an economic analysis of clinical trials in BC. We aim to help inform next steps for expanding clinical trials capacity by capturing the direct impact of clinical research activities, the broader impact on BC’s economy, and compare the analysis to the findings from 10 years ago.
- Proposed Clinical Trials Strategy for Canada – July 5, 2023
As part of the first step towards shaping a long-term clinical trials strategy for Canada, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is proposing elements that will comprise their clinical trials strategy. If you would like to share your thoughts and suggestions, send your feedback to clinicaltrials-essaiscliniques@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.
- What We Heard Report: Future of Clinical Trials – April 19, 2023
CIHR released their report based on consultations with partners and members of the clinical trials community across Canada that took place in Fall 2022. Clinical Trials BC participated in the consultation and the shared vision of clinical trials in BC helped inform our response.
- New strategy positions BC as a global hub for life sciences – April 17, 2023
The Government of BC released the new Life Science and Biomanufacturing Strategy to position British Columbia as a global hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing, and as a leading centre for commercial scale biopharmaceutical and medical manufacturing. The shared vision strongly aligns with the strategy’s pillar of expanding clinical trials capacity in the province.
Contact information
A summary of what we heard during our consultations is available on request. To discuss how we might work together to advance the vision, please contact Alison Orth, director, Clinical Trials BC at aorth@healthresearchbc.ca.