Eoghan Cooke
Communications Officer, NCTO
Every breakthrough medicine exists because clinical trials prove its safety and effectiveness. Ireland’s clinical research sector offers patients access to innovative treatments while contributing to global medical advancements.
Currently, hundreds of clinical trials are active across the country, spanning various therapeutic areas including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions and rare diseases.
Trials in your community
Trials are conducted at major teaching hospitals, dedicated research centres, some private hospitals as well as through some local GPs and primary care facilities. Each of our major hospital groups has dedicated infrastructure to undertake trials and with a highly educated workforce, strong regulatory oversight and highly engaged patients, our country provides a supportive environment for this vital contribution to improving health.
Each trial undergoes rigorous
independent ethical review to
ensure patient interests and safety.
Clinical trial process decoded
Some trials may involve a new medicine, device or procedure being developed by a global pharmaceutical company or a startup. Other trials may originate from doctors trying to better understand and compare the outcomes of already long-established treatments. All are governed and overseen to the same strict levels of safety and stringency in this county using regulations and processes that are common across the EU.
For patients considering participation, they should enquire and discuss with their doctor. Each trial undergoes rigorous independent ethical review to ensure patient interests and safety. Patients will be provided with details to understand the trial benefits and risks and how their welfare will be protected in a process known as ‘informed consent.’
The success of clinical trials in Ireland relies heavily on collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry. This partnership approach has created a dynamic research ecosystem that attracts significant international investment while ensuring Irish patients have early access to cutting-edge treatments.
The path forward for Irish clinical trials
Looking ahead, Ireland’s position in clinical research continues to strengthen. Public awareness about clinical research is helping to boost engagement across communities, and there is now strong government support for further growth in clinical trial activity articulated in the programme for government.
For those interested in participating in or learning more about clinical trials, resources are readily available through healthcare providers, hospital research units and patient advocacy and charity groups.
