EDCTP

In 2003 the European Union formed the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) with a mission to accelerate the development of clinical interventions to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and improve generally the quality of clinical research in relation to these diseases.

To support countries most afflicted by these diseases it is imperative that research in these disease areas is conducted in Africa, by Africans, for Africans. Interventions that are acceptable in Caucasian populations in the Western world may simply be inappropriate in Africa where the huge majority has little or no access to regular health care. To generate increased investment in clinical research in Africa, trials must be conducted to the highest standards and be consistent with good clinical practice. An increased network of investigators operating from sites that can consistently demonstrate this standard has to be developed.

The VSCR is taking a lead role in assessing the training needs of the region to support long-term capacity building and thus sustain the initial impact that will be made by EDCTP. The VSCR is ideally placed to design, develop and facilitate training programs within sub-Saharan Africa and will continue to be a strong advocate for continued training and education in clinical research for Africans.