In a joint letter published today, the European Commission, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) reminded all sponsors of clinical trials conducted in the European Union of their obligation to make summaries of results of concluded trials publicly available in the EU Clinical Trials Database.

The letter stresses in particular that transparency and public access to clinical trial results, whether positive or negative, are fundamental for the protection and promotion of public health. The three bodies insist that transparency also enhances scientific knowledge, and helps to advance clinical research and support more efficient medicine development programmes. The letter is to be disseminated various stakeholder groups, with a goal in particular to reach academic sponsors. This should help to spread the word about the importance of making clinical trial results publicly available.

More information:

• Joint press release
• Joint letter