Morocco vying for clinical trial attention
As the clinical trial activities continue to flock towards emerging countries such as India, Morocco wants its share. It has been making efforts to make itself attractive to international trial sponsors.
Until 2000 Morocco was virtually inactive in the clinical trials arena, delegates heard at the recent Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) conference in Brussels.
“The problem with Morocco was that we were lacking in all areas in regards to clinical trials – we had an absence of clinical research, methodology, biostatistics, ethics committees etc,” said Professor Ali Benomar from the Center of Research in Epidemiology Study and Clinical Trials at 'Mohammed V Souissi University' in Rabat.
Recognizing Morocco's shortcomings in the field, the university's Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacology began building up its skill base with the creation in 2000 of a Unit for Biostatistics, as well as the formation of a group of clinical trainers and a Workshop of Biostatistics and Methodology for professors in different fields.
In 2001, the country's first Laboratory of Biostatistics and Methodology of Clinical Research was established.
As a result, for the first time Morocco was able to seriously develop clinical protocols and methodology of research drafting, conduct statistical analysis and epidemiological work of studies, as well as aid to the development of databases.
“Between 2001 and 2004 we ran 245 domestic trials, compared to only seven between 1993 and 2000,” said Professor Ali Benomar.
In 2004 Morocco's first ethics committee was formed, “created by the deanship according to Helsinki's rules” which allowed Morocco to begin running its first international clinical trials.
“We now have three industry and two contract research organization (CRO) partnerships,” said Professor Benomar.
“We have had 17 clinical trial protocols approved by the ethics committee in the last four weeks.”
Of course running clinical trials in Morocco is not without its problems as the industry is still finding its feet, acknowledges Professor Benomar.
“However, progress is being made in these areas,” he said.
Challenges include a shortage of qualified staff, such as clinical research associates (CRAs) and a lack of professionals who speak English.
Until 2000 Morocco was virtually inactive in the clinical trials arena, delegates heard at the recent Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) conference in Brussels.
“The problem with Morocco was that we were lacking in all areas in regards to clinical trials – we had an absence of clinical research, methodology, biostatistics, ethics committees etc,” said Professor Ali Benomar from the Center of Research in Epidemiology Study and Clinical Trials at 'Mohammed V Souissi University' in Rabat.
Recognizing Morocco's shortcomings in the field, the university's Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacology began building up its skill base with the creation in 2000 of a Unit for Biostatistics, as well as the formation of a group of clinical trainers and a Workshop of Biostatistics and Methodology for professors in different fields.
In 2001, the country's first Laboratory of Biostatistics and Methodology of Clinical Research was established.
As a result, for the first time Morocco was able to seriously develop clinical protocols and methodology of research drafting, conduct statistical analysis and epidemiological work of studies, as well as aid to the development of databases.
“Between 2001 and 2004 we ran 245 domestic trials, compared to only seven between 1993 and 2000,” said Professor Ali Benomar.
In 2004 Morocco's first ethics committee was formed, “created by the deanship according to Helsinki's rules” which allowed Morocco to begin running its first international clinical trials.
“We now have three industry and two contract research organization (CRO) partnerships,” said Professor Benomar.
“We have had 17 clinical trial protocols approved by the ethics committee in the last four weeks.”
Of course running clinical trials in Morocco is not without its problems as the industry is still finding its feet, acknowledges Professor Benomar.
“However, progress is being made in these areas,” he said.
Challenges include a shortage of qualified staff, such as clinical research associates (CRAs) and a lack of professionals who speak English.
posted by saad at 10:30 PM
5 Comments:
Hi Said,
I'm really interested in learning more about the clinical tails activities in morocco. Do you work in the field?
Please let me know at multima@hotmail.com
Thanks
HI Said,
I m a CRA working in paris I m interested in making contacts in this area in morroco I d like to know more about CR in our country ?
younparis@hotmail.fr
Think you
Hi Said,
I am Medical Doctor working in Clinical Research in the United states, originally from Morocco, and I am willing to learn about the CRA activities in Morocco. In case I am interseted in this field who should I contact. My email is mdoclife@yahoo.com
I am an owner of clinical trial site in the us and am interested in working on clinical trials in Morocco. mhakim@oscmsandiego.com
Hi Said,
I am a CRA in the Netherlands, originally form Morocco and I am interested in a Clinical Research oppertunitie in Morocco, who should I contact for this? My email adres is sjaak_mo@hotmail.com.
Thanks in advance.
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