Organisation of clinical trials

Who organises and runs clinical trials?

A number of different organisations, agencies and companies may be involved in a single clinical trial. For example, the study may be guided by a team of researchers and funded by resources from a public health agency, a research organisation and/or a pharmaceutical company.

The clinical trial is managed by a principal investigator (a medical doctor with considerable experience in research) who leads a research team, composed of other doctors, scientists, nurses, psychologists and other medical and research professionals. A wide range of specialists contributes to the clinical trial design and to the analysis interpretation and presentation of the results.

If you should decide to participate in a clinical trial, before enrolling, you should request a clear explanation of the purpose of the trial and the role of each sponsor.

Before a clinical trial can start the doctors concerned have to explain and justify what they wish to study and how they wish to study it to a supervisory board of other doctors (a so-called Review Board or Ethical Committee). Part of this review body’s job is to ensure that your rights are protected, and that the highest standards of clinical practice will be observed.