Implementing clinical trials on an international platform: Challenges and perspectives

The importance of conducting medical research on a global or international platform cannot be overemphasized in current times. Sponsors are encouraging international clinical trials for a number of reasons. Globally, clinical trials are under increasing pressure to meet patient recruitment goals quickly and efficiently, at times with very limited resources. Conducting clinical trials in multiple countries increases access to potentially eligible study subjects. It is reasonable to believe that international trials will be completed more quickly and efficiently, leading to more rapid advancement in science and conservation of research-specific resources. Rapid advancement in science can reduce the burden of disease, promote health, and extend longevity for all people. In addition, generalizability, one of the major goals of translational medicine, will increase when recruiting patients from multiple countries and multiple ethnicities. Further, improvement of global health may be possible when certain types of clinical trials are conducted in countries that would not otherwise have access to an innovative drug or intervention.