Move will help S’pore be hub for cutting-edge trials

CLINICAL trials here, a key to developing cutting-edge medical treatments, will be getting a shot in the arm following the launch of the Singapore chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

The ACRP, which is based in Virginia in the United States, is an international organisation serving as the primary resource for clinical research professionals in academic medical centres and industries such as biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

The launch of its Singapore chapter will also pave the way for the establishment of a clinical research academy, the Bilcare Research Academy, which will provide professional programmes in Clinical Trial Management.

While the Singapore chapter allows local and regional clinical researchers to gain access to the ACRP’s global library of clinical research resources, the academy will offer a Master’s, diploma or other short-term certification programme in Clinical Trial Management for pharmacy, life sciences and medicine graduates.

The academy, which will start early next year, is a joint partnership between the ACRP and Bilcare Singapore, a pharmaceutical packaging company.

The move to train and develop more clinical research professionals is in line with Singapore’s vision to be the hub for early stage clinical trials, said Mr Yeoh Keat Chuan, executive director of the Economic Development Board’s biomedical sciences group.

Clinical trials, which develop new medical treatments and devices, will provide Singaporeans with “cutting-age medical treatments,” he told Today.

The Health Sciences Authority reported that the number of clinical trial certificates issued had grown from 157 in 2000 to 217 last year.

Mr Yeoh said that while clinical trials are important, investment in “human capital” is equally crucial to support the growth of the biomedical sciences industry — and this is where the ACRP comes in.

The ACRP will provide education and certification to clinical research professionals, while its involvement in the new academy will ensure that the courses offered are of a global standard.

ACRP president and chief executive officer, Mr Thomas Adams, said Singapore was chosen as a regional base for the new academy because it is seen as the hub for regional conferences of clinical research issues in South-east Asia.

The academy, which has plans to set up campuses in other countries in the region, intends to produce about 5,000 world-class clinical research professionals by 2010.

Dear Pharmers,

A Continuation of the 19th Singapore Pharmacy Congress’s Forum will be held on 4th January 2008. As I believe most of you are concerned about the future prospects of Pharmacy in Singapore, this Forum will definitely be a good opportunity for you to hear some of the latest discussions regarding our future. As there are limited vacancies for Pharmacy students, please download the 19th-spc-forum-sign-up-form.doc and e-mail the completed softcopy to nusps.president@gmail.com by 20th December 2007.

Dear friends,

Hope everything went well for the past week! 

On 10^th Nov 2007, 15 volunteers from Years 1-3 participated in the World Diabetes Day exhibition, in collaboration with the Diabetic Society of Singapore.

Participants of the pre-health screening risk test* were assessed based on their BMI, age, frequency of exercise and family history of diabetes. Here’s something to share regarding the findings we received from the pre-health screening risk assessment…

Based on the 150 non-diabetics who were assessed, 83% were at risk of getting diabetes. Although this group of participants may not be representative of the population, it is nevertheless surprising to note that a vast majority of them are at risk of the disease!

Let’s take a look at the various risk factors that were considered before the health screening was conducted: