European research networks to facilitate drug research in children

16 Oct, 2020

 

Author: Mark A. Turner, Katharine Cheng, Saskia de Wildt, Heidrun Hildebrand, Sabah Attar, Paolo Rossi, Donato Bonifazi, Adriana Ceci, Joana Claverol, Begonya Nafria, Carlo Giaquinto

Published in: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Abstract: Paediatric drug development faces several barriers. These include fragmentation of stakeholders and inconsistent processes during the conduct of research. This review summarises recent efforts to overcome these barriers in Europe. Two exemplar initiatives are described. The European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure facilitates preclinical research and other work that underpins clinical trials. conect4children facilitates the design and implementation of clinical trials. Both these initiatives listen to the voices of children and their advocates. Coordination of research needs specific effort that supplements work on science, resources and the policy context.