WASHINGTON, December 7, 2016 – The Coalition for Clinical Trials Awareness (CCTA) released the following statement on the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act.
STATEMENT FROM DAVID CHARLES, M.D., COALITION FOR CLINICAL TRIALS AWARENESS STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER:
“Congress’ passage of the 21st Century Cures Act is long overdue and a step forward for much-needed new medical innovation.
Improving access to clinical trials is a critical step to speeding discovery. CCTA is pleased that the act recognizes this challenge, expresses support for increased inclusion of underrepresented populations in clinical trials, and includes provisions that will increase clinical trial options. These are steps forward but should be partnered with efforts to increase public awareness and participation in clinical trials.
Progress on developing new medications, medical devices, diagnostics, and biologics is critically delayed because of a shortage of clinical trials participants. If we can raise awareness and increase participation in clinical trials, patients will have better treatments for conditions such as dementia, heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer.
The 21st Century Cures Act will help drive medical innovation and promote development of treatments and cures for many of our most challenging disease states. Providing new research funding to the National Institutes of Health and new authorities to the FDA are important steps to increasing and speeding discovery.”
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