PUTRAJAYA, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health aims to improve and provide better health care in the country by supporting the clinical research industry as well as in promoting participation in clinical trials.

Clinical trials which are largely funded by global pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies brings various innovative treatment options to clinical trial participants. Patients who participate in clinical trials receive either a promising new treatment or the best available conventional treatment. Especially in the area of cancer treatment, clinical trials have been proven to offer some of the most effective cancer treatments currently available today.

These clinical trials are often been misconstrued as experimental testing on patients despite the significant impact made on improving medical treatments. The misconception continues with the public’s limited understanding due to the lack of exposure on clinical trials. 

The Health Ministry seeks to correct these misconceptions as well as improve the awareness of clinical trials among Malaysians. Through its corporatized entity, Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM), the I AM AWARE Photography Series collections were developed to raise the profile of clinical trials among patients and the general public in the country.

The Photography Series launched by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, YBhg Dato’ Seri Dr. Chen Chaw Min, on behalf of the Health Minister, features a photo collection of real-life patients that have participated in a clinical trial. It portrays the different stages of a clinical trial patient’s life, sharing their experience before and after participation. “Malaysia is an ideal clinical trial site because it has an adequate and efficient healthcare system with a strong pool of highly qualified medical professionals, consistent start-up timeline, competitive trial cost and strong commitment from the MOH that maintains the quality and integrity of clinical trials in our country. I hope that with this initiative, more Malaysians will understand the innovative treatments brought about by clinical trials and can make better informed decisions”, said YBhg Dato’ Seri Dr. Chen during the launching of the ceremony.

In order to reach wider audiences at the national level, mobile exhibition roadshows as well as instilling awareness through this photography series collection will be touring the country at major public and private hospitals from next year onwards to engage with patients. The photography series, comprising of stand-alone panels and booklets, showcases the core part of clinical trial which is the unsung heroes that have contributed to research that may improve medical treatments and advance medical science.
 
About Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM)

Established by Malaysian Ministry of Health in 2012, Clinical Research Malaysia exists to advance global health solutions for a brighter, more hopeful future for the people by providing speedy and reliable end-to-end clinical research support for quality studies.

CRM’s innate understanding of the local clinical research landscape with the international standards of operations coupled with fundamental backing of the government ministries provide CRM an incomparable advantage to work with partners from the nascent stages of development to materialisation of the end product, in order to deliver better treatment and high-skilled job opportunities.

SOURCE: Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Khyruz Tasyriq Abu Samah
Tel: +603-7931 5566 (ext. 120) / + 6016-6642906
Email: khyruz@clinicalreserach.my

--BERNAMA