Clinical trials on cancer drugs ‘in jeopardy’

CLINICAL trials to develop new treatments for cancer and heart disease are in jeopardy by the manner in which the Government is implementing an EU directive, it was claimed yesterday.

The Health Research Board (HRB) criticised proposed legislation drafted by the Department of Health and Children for the negative impact it will have on the level of independent medical research.

HRB chairperson Professor Desmond Fitzgerald said what was being proposed placed a question mark over a recent 5 million investment by the department for cancer clinical trials in nine hospitals.