International Clinical Trials Day 2015 – 20th May
12 May. 2015Each year, the International Clinical Trials Day, is celebrated around the world on or near 20th May to commemorate the anniversary of what is considered the first clinical trial – conducted by James Lind, a Scottish naval surgeon, in 1747 on the deadly disease scurvy.
This day provides a focal point for international communication events, meetings, debates, and celebrations of clinical research, which contribute to development of new and more effective treatments, ways of looking after patients and keeping people healthy.
Every year a significant number of MDS patients take part in clinical research to help experts evaluate the latest treatments for MDS and to help other patients in future. Often, research participation allows MDS patients access to potentially beneficial treatments, which they would not be able to access otherwise.
Considering the benefits of clinical research, the International Trials Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of research to health care and highlights how partnerships between patients and healthcare practitioners are vital to high-quality, relevant research. This is why a number of healthcare providers, researchers, universities and public bodies, all over the country, are hosting series of activities, meetings, events and gatherings to involve public in the research they do.
“OK to ask” is the National Institute for Health Research campaign to encourage more patients or carers to ask about research opportunities that could be available to them or their loved ones, if they have a medical condition they are receiving treatment for. Currently, recruitment into clinical trials is largely clinician-led. The aim of the “OK to ask” campaign is to change that. Click here to find out more about the National Institute for Health Research and their campaign.
Don’t hesitate and find out how the Clinical Trials Day will be celebrated in your area – and get involved!
In particular, we would like to highlight a host of activities taking place at Barts Health in London, between 20 and 29 May 2015, for patients and members of the public, as well as staff, to find out about their many different research studies and ways to get involved.
Please click here to see the full schedule of activities for the Clinical Trials Day at Barts Health.
“Clinical Trials: Why bother?” talk by Professor Atholl Johnston, may be of particular interest to our patients. We spoke to Prof Atholl Johnston at the last European Heamatology Association (EHA) Congress, where he delivered a very useful and insightful presentation on Drug quality in generics, substandard drugs, copies – the pharmacologist perspective.
