Brexit could see rise in Irish clinical trials

IRELAND could become the first choice for clinical research trials once Britain leaves the EU, it has been revealed.

Dr Fionnuala Keane, chief operating officer with the Irish Health Research Board, which coordinates clinical trials, said that Brexit offered Irish patients significant advantages in terms of clinical trials.

It means that potentially life-saving drugs, for which Irish patients currently have to travel abroad, would be available here.

Dr Keane said when Britain leaves the EU the UK will become what is referred to in medical circles as a ‘third country,’ meaning trials there will not meet EU standards.

‘At present, the UK are members of the European Union and when it comes to medicines and devices and clinical research, it’s all very strongly regulated by the European Union’, she said.

The UK is home to a number of the multinational pharmaceutical company headquarters and up until now they have been the lead sponsor for clinical trials across Europe. They will no longer be able to act as a sponsor once they leave the EU.

‘Ireland then would actually be at an advantageous point because we are an Englishspeaking country on the edge of Europe and we will be complying with all European rules and regulations’, Dr Keane said, she added.

Medical professionals met at Dublin’s Mansion House yesterday for an annual conference on growing clinical research in Ireland.