- Singapore hosts inaugural Clinical Trials Symposium with over 500 participants.
- New portal ClinicalTrials.SG launched to centralise clinical trial information.
- DPM Heng Swee Keat emphasises importance of collaboration in healthcare innovation.
Singapore’s healthcare sector takes a big step forward with a major symposium on clinical trials and a new online portal.
Singapore’s First Large-Scale Clinical Trials Symposium
According to PMO, Singapore hosted its first big symposium on clinical trials on 30 July 2024.
The event was held at the Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI).
Over 500 people joined the two-day symposium.
Attendees included doctors, researchers, healthcare leaders, and industry experts.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat gave a speech at the event.
Importance of Clinical Trials in Healthcare
DPM Heng Swee Keat told the symposium, “It also underscores how clinical trials are fundamentally a collaborative endeavour.”
Clinical trials help patients get new treatments.
They also improve healthcare and patient outcomes.
Singapore approves more than 100 clinical trials each year.
SCRI oversees nearly 60 projects at any given time.
Here are some key highlights to note:
- The Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial started within a month during the pandemic.
- It expanded from one hospital to six, saving lives.
- An ongoing breast cancer treatment trial showed 50% of patients achieved disease control.
Launch of ClinicalTrials.SG Portal
At the symposium, a new portal called ClinicalTrials.SG (CTSG) was announced.
CTSG aims to centralise information about clinical trials.
It will help foster collaboration among researchers and healthcare providers for medical research.
The portal is expected to increase awareness and participation in clinical trials.
Take a look at this quick table for a clear overview:
| Clinical Trials in Singapore | SCRI’s Role |
|---|---|
| Over 100 approved yearly | Oversees nearly 60 projects |
| New portal: ClinicalTrials.SG | Centralises trial information |
| Aims to increase participation | Fosters collaboration |
| Includes healthy volunteers | Promotes inclusivity in medical research |
Future of Healthcare in Singapore
DPM Heng Swee Keat stated, “To save precious lives and preserve public trust, our healthcare systems must innovate with speed and scale.”
He highlighted the need for accessible and innovative healthcare.
This is especially important after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Singapore faces rising healthcare demands due to an ageing population.
Climate change impacts are also a concern for future healthcare needs.
Collaboration in Healthcare Research
DPM Heng Swee Keat emphasised, “By bringing different stakeholders together with a common cause and by working across borders, we can achieve lasting impact and improved health outcomes for Singapore, Asia and the world.”
The symposium featured speakers from various organisations.
Sir Jeremy Farrar from the World Health Organisation discussed clinical trials during COVID-19.
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Professor Kenneth Mak, and Professor John Lim were present.
Associate Professor Danny Soon, CEO of CRIS and Executive Director of SCRI, was acknowledged for his leadership.
Balancing Innovation and Safety
The symposium discussed the need to balance innovation with safety.
Regulatory requirements are important in developing new health products.
There are concerns about differences in healthcare access across countries.
This raises questions about equity in healthcare globally.
Singapore’s first Clinical Trials Symposium marks a big step for healthcare research and collaboration in the country and beyond.
