THE ADDED VALUE OF STATE-OWNED HOSPITALSIN CONDUCTING CLINICAL TRIALS

Objective: The object of the article is to review the clinical trials conducted in Bulgarian state-owned hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2022). Material and methods: We have created a unique database of clinical trials from public registers of competent authorities. Our review is based...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M. Nedelchev1, Y. Nedelcheva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Trakia University 2025-06-01
Series:Trakia Journal of Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://tjs.trakia-uni.bg/index.php/tjs/article/view/119/132
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Summary:Objective: The object of the article is to review the clinical trials conducted in Bulgarian state-owned hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2022). Material and methods: We have created a unique database of clinical trials from public registers of competent authorities. Our review is based on the content of the protocols of 550 clinical trials conducted in all 62 state-owned hospitals. Results: The number of clinical trials is decreasing, as is the number of trial centres in state-owned hospitals. The clinical trial sector will not go back to pre-pandemic levels, as we predict for the year after the pandemic (2023). In the new reality, reduced budget and declined state funding, the attitudes of state-owned hospitals and patients are shifting towards the benefits of clinical trials. The primary motive for state-owned hospitals to conduct clinical trials is not revenues, but rather access to new drugs and treatment methods. Conclusions: We explain the decline in the number of clinical trials with the national measures addressed to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The therapeutic area of clinical trials is tailored to the local demographic trend and is not aligned to the most common diseases in Bulgaria. Therefore, Bulgaria is more of a market for the launching tested drugs than a market for testing new drugs.
ISSN:1313-3551