Pakistan, the sixth most populous country in the world, has a disease burden higher than the average in the South Asia region. This underlines the need to come up with innovative and effective diagnostic, preventive and curative regimens specifically designed for the local population.
Clinical trials are considered a necessity for tomorrow’s cures. University hospitals are fast establishing units to streamline, govern and promote their clinical trial activities. In Pakistan too, major global agencies, independent research units and pharmaceuticals have actively initiated and participated in multi-national, multi-centric clinical trials, particularly as technology has helped bridge communication needs.
So far 44 multidisciplinary clinical studies have commenced at the Aga Khan University and an equal number expected to begin in the coming years.
To cater to the changing needs and global trends, in 2011, the Aga Khan University opened doors to the Clinical Trials Unit — a state-of-the-art facility that offers a full spectrum of core and supporting administrative services to local researchers as well as global organisations.
