According to the National Health and Medical Research Council – NHMRC clinical trials across Australia are in the following categories:
– treatment trials to test new treatments, new medicines or combinations of medicines; or other new therapies such as surgery, the use of new medical devices or new approaches to surgery
– diagnostic or screening trials to evaluate tests or procedures to diagnose and detect diseases or conditions
– prevention trials to test new ways to prevent disease including medicines, vaccines, vitamins, or changes to diet, lifestyle or behaviour
Clinical trials in Australia need to be efficiently administrated and resourced with qualified healthcare professionals as well as suitable patients.
Shanny Dyer, CEO ARCS Australia talks about a recent summit where the CRO (Contract Research Organization) community was asked on the current state of clinical trials in Australia. Commentary from:
– Tanya Symons, Director at T Symons Associates
– Daniela Caiazza, Director Clinical Operations ANZ, Novotech CRO
– Adam Stoneley, Research Operations Manager, Icon Cancer Centre
– Gabrielle McKee, Chief Operating Officer, CNS Clinical Network
– Joe Taouk, Senior Director Research and Development, IQVIA
#AustralianHealthJournal #ClinicalTrials
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Smart diaper wins Kerrin Rennie technology award
In October 2022, Smartz won the Kerrin Rennie Award for Excellence in Medical Technology – Improving Quality of Life. The award was established to recognise and profile the innovative and extraordinary contribution of medical technology in improving health outcomes of Australian patients.
Smartz monitors patient wellness including 2 significant issues affecting the elderly in residential aged care facilities; incontinence and pressure injuries.
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New clinical research entity first to operate across both Australia and New Zealand
Over the past 30 years, 18,000 clinical trials that have been registered in Australia, with the sector contributing $1.4 billion to Australia’s economy annually. Trials are a critical aspect of evidence-based medicine, and are essential for testing how new treatments, tests and vaccines will work. In New Zealand they contribute $146 million to the New Zealand economy.
To capitalise on this unique position and growth, a coordinated multi-site clinical research operation was missing, until now.
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Awareness, diagnosis and treatment of Congenital Hypothyroidism
Australian Health Journal spoke to Associate Professor MIchelle Jack about congenital hypothyroidism and newborn screening and her concerns in the varying thresholds for across different states in Australia. Despite the existence of newborn screening programs since the 1970s, there is still controversy surrounding the appropriate screening levels. Congenital hypothyroidism, affecting about one in 3500 infants, can lead to severe intellectual and physical impairment if not diagnosed early. The condition is mainly caused by the thyroid gland’s failure to develop properly, resulting in insufficient thyroid hormone production.
