Poles positive about clinical trials

2010-07-27

A new survey by PBS DGA for OnBoard PR shows a surprisingly high level of awareness about clinical trials among Poles, and generally positive associations and pragmatic attitudes towards the phenomenon. The findings bode well for the future of the Polish market for clinical trials, commented Dr. Wojciech Maselbas, president of the Polish Association for Good Clinical Trial Practice (SRDPBK).
According to the survey, two in three Poles declare they have encountered information about clinical trials, with awareness at its highest in the 40-59 age group, where it reaches 74%, and among those aged 25-39 (69%). A widespread association that Poles have with clinical trials is “means of medical progress” (mentioned by nearly 35% of respondents), followed by “an opportunity to improve the health of participants” (26%). Negative associations were mentioned much less frequently, e.g. “unethical way of boosting drug sales by pharma firms” was picked by 5% while “deterioration in the health of participants” by 3%.
As for preparedness to participate in clinical trials, it varies depending on respondents’ (hypothetical) health situation. It reached 74% (including 39% who said they would “definitely participate”) for a hypothetical situation where the respondent was diagnosed with cancer and standard therapy was ineffective.
According to Dr. Wojciech Maselbas, the findings indicate that Poles are able to make a knowledgeable decision when approached about participation in clinical trials, and are starting to treat participation as an alternative or complement to standard therapy, much like their counterparts in the West. In his view, to strengthen these positive attitudinal trends, there should be legal changes to bolster the protection of participants through appropriate insurance arrangements. More rapid market growth also requires a streamlining of administrative procedures.
The survey was conducted between 28-30 May 2010, as part of a wider PBS DGA study on a representative sample of 1,013 Poles aged 18 and over.