Speed, quality and cost: leveraging Australia to expedite clinical development

This week's Expert View piece looks at the environment for clinical development in Australia. Frank Andrew, clinical business development manager at PCI Pharma Services, argues that Australia can offer an expedited approach to drug development.

In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has seen tremendous changes in the way it is expected to deliver new drugs to market: being under increasing pressure to expedite the development of new therapies, to decrease clinical study duration, and to drive new treatments through their clinical phases as quickly, safely and cost-efficiently as possible.

Such changes have required the industry to re-evaluate and rethink long-standing approaches to drug development and commercialization, with attention being recalibrated on the ultimate goal; making it easier for the patient to reach improved health outcomes. This perspective is underpinned by the recognition that what is best for the patient will lead to beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders, including the drug company, the healthcare provider, and the supporting community of associated service providers.