Promoting Clinical Research in Lebanon for Better Health Outcomes

Abstract

The K2P Policy Dialogue entitled "Promoting clinical research in Lebanon for better health outcomes" was convened on June 16th 2023 in close collaboration and coordination with the Clinical Research Institute (CRI) at the American University of Beirut - Medical Center (AUB-MC). The dialogue hosted 30 diverse stakeholders from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. These included representatives from: Institutional Review Board at the American University of Beirut (AUB), Office of Grants and Contracts at the AUB, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanese American University (LAU), Balamand University (BU), Université Saint Joseph (USJ), Lebanese University (LU), Beirut Arab University (BAU), Saint George University of Beirut (SGUB), Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Lebanese Order of Physicians (LOP), Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon (OPL), Lebanese army representative, Representatives from Insurance companies, Pharmaceutical companies, Clinical Research Organizations (CROs), National Council for Scientific Research of Lebanon (CNRS-L). The K2P Policy Dialogue was facilitated by Dr. Fadi El-Jardali. The discussion was guided by a pre-prepared PowerPoint presentation. Dialogue participants discussed the status of clinical research in Lebanon and highlighted disconnection between the field and healthcare practice guidelines to improve population and patient health outcomes. Participants communicated an alarming decrease in clinical research productivity. All the stakeholders agreed that it has become more difficult to conduct clinical research in Lebanon due to many systemic barriers, including regulatory, financial, and service delivery barriers.