Promoting Clinical Research in Lebanon for Better Health Outcomes

Abstract

Clinical research is essential in advancing knowledge to guide decision- making on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other clinical interventions. Also, it is critical for value-based healthcare which is aimed at improving patient outcomes while reducing healthcare expenditures. The conduct of clinical trials in Lebanon was hindered by administrative and regulatory hurdles, lack of a comprehensive national strategy and national research agenda for clinical research, ill-defined ethical and regulatory schemes, quality control concerns, shortage of funding, weak research infrastructure with significant disparities across universities, and limited collaborations. On the other hand, there was no serious effort to produce trustworthy clinical practice guidelines by the Lebanese Order of Physicians or the professional societies. Similarly, ideas to start a national health technology assessment program never materialized, which hindered the adoption of innovative pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other clinical interventions, and the appropriate use of existing ones. This in turn negatively affected evidence- based practices and the delivery of value-based healthcare to the population. The compounded crisis has further highlighted the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the healthcare system's challenges, including through clinical research. Recommendations include: Developing a comprehensive national strategy for clinical research, Establishing a national clinical research priority setting process, Developing mechanisms to increase governmental and non-governmental funding of clinical research and ensure their sustainability, and other recommendations provided.