EMA reminds trial sponsors over publishing results

Sponsors of clinical trials run in the European Union have been reminded of their obligation to publish summaries of results in the EU Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT).

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies have issued a joint letter emphasizing the significance of transparency and public access to clinical trials, whether positive or negative.

Publicly-available results of concluded studies reassure trial subjects that their voluntary participation in clinical tests is beneficial and that the findings have been examined and circulated, the agencies state. This also allows both patients and physicians to find information about medicines that are already on the market, and enhances scientific knowledge.