Contact: Jennifer Bush
202-828-0041
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
SUPPORTERS OF CLINICAL RESEARCH REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF PATIENTS
Washington, D.C., June 8, 2000 -- In a proclamation released today, over 300 academic, scientific, and patient health organizations reaffirm their commitment to providing the safest environment possible for patients in clinical research. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the National Health Council (NHC) collaboratively spearheaded development of the proclamation entitled "Clinical Research: A Reaffirmation of Trust Between Medical Science and the Public."
"The academic medical community is committed to the health and welfare of all individuals who participate in clinical research," said AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D. "We recognize that recent well-publicized events have shaken the all-important foundation of trust between researcher and patient. The AAMC and its members will take the necessary actions to rebuild this foundation that is so crucial to the advancement of science and the delivery of quality health care."
"The proclamation symbolizes and reaffirms the commitment of the patient advocacy, academic and medical research communities to work together to protect human subjects in clinical research," said NHC President Myrl Weinberg, CAE. "The growth of clinical research and the participation of human subjects is vital to the discoveries that will lead to effective treatments and possible cures for millions of patients afflicted with chronic and/or debilitating diseases and disorders."
On several fronts, the AAMC is working aggressively to inform and educate the research community about the existing federal oversight and regulations governing clinical research. Since last spring, the Association has hosted a national conference,
and, in collaboration with Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research (PRIM&R), several oversubscribed regional educational workshops on the topic of human subjects protections. In addition, the AAMC, along with PRIM&R and several other organizations, is exploring the feasibility of establishing an accreditation mechanism for institutional review boards (IRBs) that would further strengthen the protection of patients in clinical research. In April, the AAMC and NHC jointly hosted a policy briefing on human subjects protections featuring William Raub, Ph.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary of the HHS.
For copies of the proclamation, please contact Darnell Privott, AAMC Office of Communications, at 202-828-0551 or [email protected].
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The Association of American Medical Colleges represents the 125 accredited U.S. medical schools; the 16 accredited Canadian medical schools; some 400 major teaching hospitals, including 74 Veterans Administration medical centers; 91 academic and professional societies representing nearly 88,000 faculty members; and the nation's 67,000 medical students and 102,000 residents.
Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.
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The National Health Council is a private, nonprofit umbrella organization of more than 115 health-related organizations. Its core membership includes 49 of the nation's leading patient organizations - groups representing more than 100 million people with chronic diseases and/or disabilities. Additional Council member organizations include professional and membership associations, other nonprofit organizations with an interest in health, and business and industry groups.
Additional informational about the National Health Council available at www.NHCouncil.org
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