Press release – [Download press release in PDF]
Prague, 29 May 2025 – Every year, thousands of patients in the Czech Republic participate in clinical trials that give them the chance to access innovative medicines before they are approved for routine use. For many of them, participating in a trial means the hope of improving their health when standard treatment options have been exhausted. But clinical research does not only help patients – it supports the development of science and medicine in the Czech Republic, improves the quality of care and brings significant economic benefits. Today, the Ministry of Health, together with expert partners, presented the main building blocks of the forthcoming National Strategy for Clinical Trials of Medicinal Products, which aims to improve conditions for research and at the same time strengthen the availability of state-of-the-art treatments for patients.
“Clinical trials are not just a research tool, but a real chance for patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options. Our goal is to get more patients involved in clinical trials and to make the Czech Republic more attractive for commissioning them. The strategy we will present after the summer will give us a coherent framework for cooperation and concrete tools to do this. The Czech Republic has top-notch facilities and experts, and their work in research needs to be supported,” said Radek Policar, Chief Director of the Legislation and Law Section of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.
Clinical trials have been conducted in the Czech Republic for more than three decades. There are currently over 480 active commercial trials and more than 16,000 patients enrolled annually. For them, clinical trials represent not only a chance for innovative treatments, but also access to highly specialised care. They also save public money – the treatment is fully paid for by the sponsor of the trial, often pharmaceutical companies.
National Strategy for Clinical Trials of Medicinal Products in the Czech Republic
The forthcoming National Strategy for Clinical Trials of Medicinal Products in the Czech Republic is being developed in close cooperation between the Ministry of Health and key healthcare partners. The Strategy is a basic coordinating and guiding document that sets out specific objectives and measures to strengthen clinical research in the Czech Republic. It focuses on simplification of administrative processes, digitisation, support for study coordinators, systematic involvement of patients and physicians in research and stronger support for academic clinical trials. The aim is for the Czech Republic to maintain, and ideally increase, the number of patients involved in clinical trials and to create more favourable conditions for their implementation.
Clinical trials include both commercial studies initiated by pharmaceutical companies and academic clinical trials based on the needs of physicians and patients. Both types of studies are complementary and important for the development of modern medicine. In the Czech Republic, commercial trials dominate 70 per cent of trials, but the importance of academic trials continues to grow – also thanks to the support of the CZECRIN research infrastructure, which helps researchers to prepare and conduct non-commercial trials. “Our goal is for academic research to bring about concrete improvements in patient care. We help researchers with training, legislation and quality assurance. I believe the strategy will significantly strengthen not only academic but also interdisciplinary collaborations,” said Regina Demlová, Director of CZECRIN.
Patient safety in clinical trials is a priority. The State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) oversees the correctness of their conduct and the protection of participants. “Our mission is not only to protect patients, but also to promote a modern and transparent environment for research. We welcome the strategy as an important step towards improving the conditions for clinical trials in the Czech Republic.” added Tomáš Boráň, Director of SÚKL.
The Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical Industries (AIFP), whose members conduct commercial clinical trials in the Czech Republic, welcomes the strategy as a step towards a stable, predictable and competitive environment. “Clinical trials have not only health but also economic benefits for the Czech Republic. In 2023 alone, pharmaceutical companies invested over CZK 2 billion in them. Trials bring patients cutting-edge care and access to the most advanced treatments – and they save the system a considerable amount of money, with savings of CZK 1.5 billion in that year alone.” said David Kolář, Executive Director of AIFP.
Jakub Kořínek also added his experience, who thanks to clinical trials has come to an innovative therapy for cystic fibrosis: “Before the clinical trial started, I was slowly giving up on life because my health was getting worse every year. I stopped playing sports and had no plans for the future. But thanks to the clinical trial, my life has turned around and I am now living a full life. I have a family, two children, a house and my own real estate agency with satisfied clients. None of this would have been possible without the innovative drug.”
The press conference took place within the framework of VIII National Clinical Trials Day , whose agenda includes discussions on decentralised studies, patient involvement, ethical standards and the use of digital tools. The event is held under the auspices of the Minister of Health and brings together healthcare partners from the Czech and European research environment.
[Download the press release in PDF]
Media contact:
Veronika Plachá
CZECRIN – Masaryk University
veronika.placha@med.muni.cz | +420 722 905 756