Texts by Ehcel S. Hurna

Photos by Joseph A. Bautista

The participants of NCTTC Roadshow 2024 posed for a group photo after the whole day gathering.

In order to advocate and highlight the increasing Filipino participation in local and international clinical trials research, and to encourage Filipino researchers to conduct research on new drugs, devices, and innovations, the National Clinical Trials and Translation Center (NCTTC) hosted the “NCTTC Roadshow 2024” at the Makati Medical Center on August 12, 2024. The roadshow aims to bring together clinical trial sites, investigators, and key stakeholders to identify key needs and areas of collaboration, and seeks to initiate meaningful partnerships, with NCTTC providing strategic support to the development and sustainability of clinical trial sites in the Philippines. 

Clinical trials, particularly human research studies, test the efficacy and safety of new medicinal products and technologies. The efforts could be seen through the development of antimicrobials and new vaccines like the COVID-19 vaccine. Clinical trials are needed because they help produce an objective and unbiased basis for treating patients through integral information and guidelines for policies.

Expounding the importance of centers for clinical trials, NCTTC Director Benjamin P. Sablan expounded that “Centers for clinical trials are needed because they function to provide infrastructure, trained personnel to do the research. All healthcare providers work as a team in doing this research and technical support to ensure the most efficient conduct of trials. These centers foster better collaboration as well as site identification for global trials and national trials and provide support for the development of new clinical trial technologies.” 

A series of lectures by the reputable guest speakers were conducted to indulge the participants with various knowledge in some conducted discovery research and clinical trials, and the global and Philippine trial landscape. 

Rodmar C. Pulido, NCTTC Consultant, shared his insights on the Philippine clinical trial landscape. Rachelle C. Mendoza, Program Head of Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, provided a glimpse on the Tuklas Lunas Program where she discussed the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda Priorities for 2022-2028. The goal of the program is to improve the access of Filipinos to safe and affordable drugs derived from local natural resources and support the development of the local herbal and pharmaceutical industry.

Ralph Elvi Villalobos, a pulmonologist from the Philippine General Hospital, was invited to share his clinical trial experience through his lecture title, “Balancing the Risks and Benefits of Conducting a Vaccine Trial Post-Pandemic Recovery: Lessons Learned.” He talked about his rich experience as a Principal Investigator while conducting COVID-19 and other vaccine trials in the Philippines. 

Lastly, Ma. Tarcela Gler, Clinical Research Site Coordinator at the Site 31981 – AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), tackled the global opportunities for establishing a clinical trial unit. 

The NCTTC will be conducting its 1st Annual Clinical Trials and Translational Science Meeting on September 24 to 27, 2024 and the National Institutes of Health on September 26, 2024. #