Today starts off the beginning of Clinical Trials Awareness Week, which shines a spotlight on how the clinical trials process helps deliver safe, effective medicines to patients.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of clinical trials are ongoing or underway and in the first four months of 2017 alone the number of clinical studies registered has already surpassed the total number registered in 2016, according to Clinicaltrials.gov. These trials are essential to study the benefits and potential risks of new medicines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rely on this data to determine whether a new medicine is safe and effective.
Despite the significant breadth and depth of clinical research ongoing in the U.S., many people don’t know the important, life-saving impact these studies have on patients every day. For example, every time you take a medicine – even if it’s just for a headache – you’re benefiting from the knowledge gained from clinical trials.
In addition to patient health, clinical trials are contributing to local economies across the country. The biopharmaceutical industry is responsible for the vast majority of clinical researching, accounting for roughly 90 percent of all spending on clinical trials of medicines and medical devices. In 2013 alone, for example, more than 1 million participants were volunteering in clinical studies across the country.
Industry-funded clinical trials are conducted with careful oversight and are typically in collaboration with a broad range of local institutions, including academic medical research centers, contract research organizations, university medical and pharmacy schools, hospitals, and foundations.
Perhaps no partner is more critical to the R&D process than patients, and our nation’s innovative biopharmaceutical companies are increasingly seeking to incorporate the patient perspective throughout all elements of the R&D process. To those patients who have participated in clinical trials, we say thank you. You have helped spur research and advance science for the betterment of future patients.
We are excited to celebrate Clinical Trials Awareness Week and encourage you to learn more about clinical trials and their impact on patients here.
Andrew Powaleny
Andrew Powaleny is the Deputy Vice President of Public Affairs at PhRMA, where he leads communications on scientific, regulatory and intellectual property issues, highlighting the biopharmaceutical industry’s efforts in developing innovative medicines and vaccines while promoting an environment that encourages necessary risk-taking. For five years starting in 2019, he launched and led PhRMA’s grassroots initiative, Voters for Cures, bringing patients and caregivers together to advocate for access to medicine and biopharmaceutical innovation. He also co-founded and co-chaired PRIDE Umbrella, a resource group for LGBTQ+ individuals. Prior to joining PhRMA in 2015, Andrew worked as a communications consultant in Washington, D.C., and as Deputy Press Secretary for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce under Chairman Fred Upton. He holds a degree in public policy and government from Eastern Connecticut State University, with a minor in music. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys exercise, musical theater and mentoring college students through The Fund for American Studies alumni association.
Andrew Powaleny
ICYMI: PhRMA submits comments to White House on artificial intelligence
New research: Industry sponsored clinical trials contribute billions to state economies
ICYMI: More evidence of the IRA’s harmful consequences on post-approval research and development
Decentralized clinical trials and the future of drug development
ICYMI: PhRMA CMO Dr. Michael Ybarra speaks with Dr. Fabian Sandoval about clinical trial diversity
PhRMA submits comments to OSTP on enhancing clinical trial diversity
Watch: Building trust and enhancing clinical trial diversity
PhRMA hosts first stakeholder workshop on clinical trial diversity
Increasing diversity at investigator sites could increase minority participation in clinical trials
Strengthening a culture dedicated to patients and equity: A conversation with Percival Barretto-Ko, President of Astellas US
Committing to diversity, equity and inclusion: A call to action for clinical trials
Just released: PhRMA members’ new clinical trial diversity principles
How biopharmaceutical researchers are ensuring COVID-19 vaccines will be safe and effective
Clinical Trials Awareness Week: Recognizing unsung heroes in medical research
Guest Post: Preserving clinical research sites during the coronavirus pandemic
The biopharmaceutical industry’s unique role in responding to COVID-19
COVID-19 Response: Supporting the frontline
America’s biopharmaceutical companies are working around the clock to beat coronavirus
ICYMI: America’s biopharmaceutical companies are taking on COVID-19
Clinical Trials Awareness Week: Celebrating innovation in clinical research
Clinical trials impact state economies
Examining the truth behind clinical trial costs
New report details the setbacks and challenges to Alzheimer’s research
Guest post: Ensuring communities have a seat at the table: The importance of diversity in clinical trials
Bringing innovation to clinical trial design
EFPIA-PhRMA Principles successfully enable responsible clinical trial data sharing
Guest Post: Film chronicles clinical trials ‘paying it forward’
Biopharmaceutical industry policies aim to increase access to clinical trial data
Guest Post: The Clinical trial experience from a patient & researcher perspective
Guest Post: Patients as research partners - Rethinking patient access to clinical trial data
Guest Post: Spotlighting the heroes in clinical trials
Guest Post: Advancing oncology research through clinical trials
Driving innovation through collaboration
Watch: Biomarkers in drug development with Dr. Bernie Zeiher
Clinical Trials Awareness Week: Celebrating the impact of clinical research
Clinical Trials
Clinical Trials Awareness Week: Celebrating the impact of clinical research
Clinical Trials Awareness Week: Celebrating the impact of clinical research