Patients in Romania, their families, the medical community, and the general public will be able to access information about ongoing clinical trials in Romania through a new Romanian-language online platform to be developed this year. The initiative is led by the founding members and partners of the Health Innovation Hub and is part of the actions set out in the “Strategic Plan for Clinical Trials in Romania.”
In this context, the nine partner entities within the Hub—the Ministry of Health, the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania (ANMDMR), the G6-UMF University Alliance, the Local American Working Group (LAWG), the National Society of Medical Oncology of Romania (SNOMR), the Coalition of Organizations of Patients with Chronic Diseases in Romania (COPAC), the Association of Patients with Autoimmune Diseases (APAA), the Association of Clinical Trial Management Companies in Romania (ACCSCR), and Novo Nordisk Pharma—have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration for the creation of the IT platform on clinical trials in Romania.
“The progress of this strategic project within the Health Innovation Hub is demonstrated by concrete data, which already show an increase in the number of clinical trials conducted in Romania in recent years. The new IT platform will facilitate access for patients and healthcare professionals to up-to-date information on ongoing trials, as well as to educational materials developed by experts. In this way, it will become an important tool for improving communication in this field and for maintaining the high quality of the studies being conducted,” said Prof. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, Minister of Health.
As a representative of the medical and pharmaceutical academic community, Prof. Dr. Viorel Jinga, Rector of UMF Carol Davila in Bucharest and member of the G6-UMF University Alliance, emphasized: “Digital platforms dedicated to clinical trials are a natural and necessary step in the modernization of medical research. They facilitate informed access for patients, support efficient recruitment, and open the door to national and international collaborations between academia, hospitals, and industry. At the same time, they provide a transparent and educational framework, essential for increasing public trust in science and for training the new generation of researchers.”
Dr. Răzvan Mihai Prisada, President of ANMDMR, stated: “The signing of this memorandum of collaboration marks an important step in the digitalization and transparency of the clinical trials sector in Romania—an objective embraced by all partners in this initiative. It is a European first, born out of a joint effort and supported by all the institutions and partners involved. This IT platform is an essential step toward open and responsible communication in a field where every detail matters for people’s health and trust.”
“I firmly believe that true innovation takes shape only when there is collaboration, a shared vision, and respect for the needs of those we serve. Today we demonstrate that Romania can be a model of best practices and openness in the field of medical research, and I want to thank all those who have contributed their expertise, energy, and commitment to this achievement.”
Representing the innovative pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Radu Rășinar, President of LAWG, stated: “This initiative supports patients and addresses a significant need for access to information. Patients and their families want to obtain up-to-date data on ongoing clinical trials in Romania, to contact a medical center for enrollment, and to receive information about treatments that use cutting-edge solutions—more effective than those currently available. This is why the partners of the Health Innovation Hub are committed to supporting the development of the platform and contributing to the digitalization of the healthcare system.”
“This platform is also an essential component in implementing a competitive model for clinical trials in Romania. Beyond the significant benefits it brings to patients, clinical trials contribute to the creation of a modern, innovation-driven healthcare system and generate substantial revenue for the country’s economy.”
“The National Society of Medical Oncology of Romania (S.N.O.M.R.) is honored to be a partner in this strategic initiative that supports national clinical research. It is remarkable that today’s standard-of-care therapies were, just a decade ago, in the clinical evaluation phase—reflecting the progress brought about by medical research.”
“S.N.O.M.R. aims to actively contribute to the development of the human resources involved in clinical trials by training investigators and strengthening research capacity. We are confident that this platform will help increase the quality and attractiveness of clinical research in Romania.”
Data from the European Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) show that there are currently 550 trials underway in 336 medical centers across Romania, out of a total of 8,979 trials conducted in Europe. The countries where patients have access to the largest number of clinical trials are Spain, France, Germany, and Italy.
The Health Innovation Hub supports the initiatives set out in the “Strategic Plan for Clinical Trials in Romania”, which focuses on five areas of intervention: raising awareness and promoting education about clinical trials; encouraging the development of human resources and trial centers; improving the process of patient mobilization and selection; promoting Romania’s potential in conducting trials internationally; and ensuring a competitive economic and fiscal environment to stimulate investment in clinical research in Romania.
