Before the 1980s, clinical research was centered in the Academic
Health Center (AHC) community where it was conducted by
academic physicians who published findings in medical journals.
The clinical research “industry” had not yet arrived.
Around 1980, a renaissance in biomedical sciences and the pharmaceutical
industry brought new discoveries and technologies that accelerated
product development. This created tremendous competition among
the drug and device manufacturers, which in turn created pressure
on the AHCs to do more research
in less time.
In short, the AHCs, which did 75%
of the research in 1991, couldn’t perform at the quickening
pace of the industry and had less than 40% of the market share
by 1997.
Who took the AHCs’ business
away? Answer: The newly formed
clinical research industry, which worked faster and more cheaply
on projects. These business-driven organizations
have been the dominant players in the clinical research
industry…until now.
Hospitals have often played a role in clinical research. But
now, we are at the dawn of a new era, and your hospital can be
at the forefront.
Sponsors of clinical research seek a balance of academicians,
private practitioners, and hospital-based researchers to conduct
their clinical studies. Hospitals symbolize the industry's preferred
environment; hospitals possess a patient profile that is a marketplace
resource for both outpatient and inpatient studies. The environment
is ideal for the successful implementation of clinical trials.
Until recently, fewer than 10%
of hospitals operated centralized clinical research programs designed
specifically to attract industry-sponsored clinical studies.
Today, it is possible for your hospital to claim a primary share
of this market – by instituting a simple and affordable clinical
research program that is complementary to your current Mission.
The results are beneficial to all participants: conducting clinical
trials enhances a hospital’s scientific influence and prestige,
reaffirms a commitment to patient advocacy, and provides an entirely
new revenue stream.
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