Clinical Trial Registration in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Abstract

Clinical trials offer immensely to the evidence cart through the introduction of improved therapeutic regimens and better patient care. Registration of clinical trials ensures free accessibility of trial related information to the public and conforms to international standards. Clinical trial registration is an ethical, scientific and moral responsibility, as well as an obligation upon all investigators and sponsors. Clinical trial registries have not been established in several countries especially in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The aim of this editorial is to highlight the status of clinical trial registration and regulations to provide new evidence on the issue targeting researchers to register their studies. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is increasingly being incorporated into healthcare system by healthcare professionals and policymakers to implement the most effective treatment options based on documented evidence. 1,2 In the EBM pyramid, meta- analyses of randomized controlled trials constitute the highest level of evidence. The results of several clinical trials are often not being published, particularly those with negative or equivocal results. Some studies have reported publication bias of clinical trial results favoring the investigational product that funded the research. 3,4 This publication bias can adversely affect the available evidence and can lead to deluding conclusions when pooling the results of several clinical trials. In addition to the publication bias, scientific misconduct in clinical research has been published in the media and in medical literature. 5,6 Consequently, the number of participants enrolling onto trials is on the descent, and the results of these trials are affected, while the release of potential new drugs into the market is hindered. All trial related information should be made available to all subjects participating in the clinical trials and they should also be notified of the current status of the trials that they have enrolled onto and whether their participation has made any significant contribution to medical science. To address these issues, the collaborative enterprise of