Ireland lags behind European countries in cancer clinical trial availability despite significant financial savings and improved patient outcomes. 

Angela Clayton-Lea, CEO of Cancer Trials Ireland, explains how just 18 of 117 open trials generated €14.8 million in direct drug savings and €36.7 million in inward investment whilst patients on trials receive cutting edge treatments and closer medical follow up. 

Former Minister Denis Naughten and Dr Rebecca Cramp, Director of Code and Regulatory Affairs at Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, join host Dr Ciara Kelly to discuss the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group's 20 recommendations, hospital KPI implementation, and cross-departmental investment needed to transform Ireland into an attractive destination for pharmaceutical industry research benefiting patients and clinicians nationwide.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Patients better outcomes trials access

Ireland lags European trial numbers

Drug savings inward investment benefits

Oversight Group recommendations KPI targets

Mindset shift trial access right

GUEST DETAILS

Host: Dr Ciara Kelly hosts this episode exploring the value of cancer trials for Ireland's healthcare system and patients.

Guests: Angela Clayton-Lea is CEO of Cancer Trials Ireland leading organisation mission to increase clinical trial access nationwide. Denis Naughten is former Minister and TD with longstanding interest in health research and innovation policy. Dr Rebecca Cramp is Director of Code and Regulatory Affairs at Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association representing industry investment perspective. Together they bring comprehensive expertise spanning patient advocacy, political implementation, and pharmaceutical industry collaboration.

QUOTES

Patients do better on a cancer trial, gaining access to cutting-edge new drugs, more monitoring, and better outcomes overall due to higher institutional standards - Angela Clayton-Lea.

The sector has benefited from Cancer Trials Ireland streamlining the application process, but the lack of electronic health care records makes it difficult to make an economic case for investment - Denis Naughten.

Clinical trials result in a significant saving to hospitals and attract the best clinicians in the world to Ireland, provided there is the right investment - Dr. Rebecca Cramp.

Ireland has only 117 trials open, far fewer than comparable nations like Denmark (385), despite having an excellent calibre of clinicians - Angela Clayton-Lea.

MORE INFORMATION

Cancer Trials Ireland is a registered charity and the leading cancer research trials organisation in Ireland. It aims to provide every patient with cancer access to high-quality and potentially life-altering cancer trials and to make Ireland a highly attractive location to open cancer trials. Discover more at cancertrials.ie

KEYWORDS

Cancer trials, clinical trials, Ireland, patient outcomes, drug savings, inward investment, radiotherapy, government investment, pharma industry, research and development,

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Episode ID: 1000741527461

GUID: 692f08589ba57b3ad38f41cb

Release Date: 16/12/2025, 18:35:44