Clinical trials and public trust: The geographical shift to the Asia-Pacific region

Multiple issues surrounding the publication of clinical trials and the conduct of clinical trials, especially those that are industry-sponsored, have raised doubts regarding the integrity of their results, and of the integrity of the medical profession. An appreciation of the historical and economic changes in the relationship between physicians and industry is crucial to the understanding of these issues. Increasingly, as healthcare professionals and centers in the Asia-Pacific region become involved in corporate-funded multi-center drug trials, these ethical issues similarly come into play. It is imperative for medical leaders to take actions ensuring rights of subjects participating in these clinical trials, and to ensure the integrity of physicians and authors of clinical trials from this region of the world.