Contract Research Organisaties in Nederland: inventarisatie en kwaliteitsniveau

Short report

In the Netherlands, pharmaceutical companies and (academic) hospitals conduct a great many clinical drug trials involving human subjects. Approximately 600 applications for such trials are submitted annually for review to an accredited medical research ethics committee. The sponsor of a clinical trial may outsource various trial-related functions and responsibilities to a contract research organization (CRO). These CROs then assume responsibility for many aspects of clinical trial conduct and management. At least 114 CROs are involved in clinical research on medicinal products in the Netherlands. Quality assurance of these CROs is a major factor determining the quality and safety of the clinical trials. Many of the key stakeholders from both governmental and professional organizations associated with clinical research on medicinal products have expressed their satisfaction with the performance of the Dutch CROs. This is the conclusion drawn by the RIVM based on a study carried out on behalf of the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ), the Dutch government agency responsible for overseeing clinical research with medicinal products. A register of CROs could contribute to a more detailed overview of those CROs involved in clinical research in the Netherlands. Although there is an umbrella organization for CROs in the Netherlands, not all CROs are members. In addition, CROs and the companies they serve could establish professional standards (field standards) to guarantee the level of quality provided by the CROs.