Health
Spain recorded a significant increase in the number of clinical trials with authorized drugs in 2022 compared to previous years, according to the Spanish Registry of Clinical Studies (REEC) coordinated by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS). In total, authorized more than 900 clinical trialswhich is an increase compared to the 800 and 833 clinical studies authorized in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Of the total number of clinical trials authorized, the 86% were driven by pharmaceutical companieswho have increased their investment in iResearch and development (R&D) in this area in recent years. According to the last Survey on R&D Activitiesthe investment of these companies has increased at an average annual rate of 5.3% in the last decade, reaching 789 million euros in 2021, which is equivalent to 60% of the total investment in R&D in the pharmaceutical sector in Spain.
Investment in clinical research not only benefits pharmaceutical companies, but also to the hospitals that host the clinical trials, as well as to the health professionals who participate in them. In addition, Spanish patients also benefit from the opportunity to participate, which may provide them with a unique opportunity to cure their disease.
He cancer is the therapeutic area with the most registered clinical trials, with 328 studies in total. They are followed by diseases of the nervous system and pathologies of the immune system. Respiratory, hematological, viral and cardiovascular diseases are also among the most numerous therapeutic areas in 2022, according to REEC data.
Health Clinical trials for rare diseases
Also noteworthy is the increase in the number of clinical trials for rare diseases in Spain. In 2022, rare diseases monopolized 25% of clinical trials conducted, with a total of 230 authorized studies. This data has evolved significantly in recent years, going from 73 studies aimed at testing orphan drugs in 2018 to 117 in 2019.
In short, the increase in the number of clinical trials authorized in Spain in 2022 is a good news for biomedical research in our country, especially in therapeutic areas with unmet medical needs, such as rare diseases.
In addition, this investment in clinical research not only benefits the patients participating in the trials, but also the health system in general, since it implies an improvement in the quality of medical care and a better preparation of health professionals.
