Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11745

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Publication type: Journal Article

Shuchman M.
Commercializing clinical trials--risks and benefits of the CRO boom.
N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 4; 357:(14):1365-8
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/357/14/1365

Abstract:

In a trend that has received surprisingly little attention, contract research organizations (CROs) have gradually taken over much of academia’s traditional role in drug development over the past decade. They’ve been able to do so by offering greater speed and efficiency in conducting clinical trials than academic groups can, but questions have been raised about their qualifications, ethics, accountability, and degree of independence from their pharmaceutical-industry clients.

Annual CRO-industry revenues have increased from about $7 billion in 2001 to an estimated $17.8 billion today; of more than 1000 CROs in operation, the four largest – Quintiles, Covance, Pharmaceutical Product Development . . .

Keywords:
MeSH Terms: Academic Medical Centers Clinical Trials/economics Clinical Trials/trends* Commerce/trends Contract Services/economics Contract Services/trends* Drug Industry/economics Drug Industry/trends Humans United States