WHO Joins the Push for Greater Disclosure of Clinical Trial Data - Pharmalot - WSJ

"In the latest push to expand access to clinical trial data, the World Health Organization has released a new position statement calling for companies to publish all research studies and suggested specific timetables for making the information available. The move comes amid growing clamor from academics and consumer groups to press drug and device makers to release trial data. At issue is the ability for researchers to independently verify study results and, consequently, improve patient treatments that can lead to better health and lower costs. Concerns have been heightened following various safety scandals that revealed trial data for some products was never fully published or disclosed. In recent months, regulators in the U.S. and Europe have responded by releasing new rules designed to widen access. And several drug makers, in varying degrees, have taken steps to release trial data (see here and here). In explaining its position, the WHO notes that the failure to fully report trial data can foster misinformation, raise health care costs and distort public policy ..."