Caring for children through research
The need for paediatric clinical trials
Paediatric clinical trials can validate the safety and efficacy of treatments, as well as proper dosing according to the age of the patient.
Paediatricians have been fighting from the beginning against the false assumption that children are small adults and that it is possible to simply give them smaller doses of the same medicines approved for the adult population.
Children's organs, in the process of development and maturation, together with their particular metabolism, determine the way the paediatric population processes medicines.
The only way to solve this issue is the conduction of paediatric clinical trials. Despite the clarity of this need, currently only a small percentage of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have been tested and approved for paediatric use. A fundamental culture change within and across organizations is required to transform this reality.
Carmen, 21 years old, diagnosed since childhood with spinal muscular atrophy
Her experience shows how clinical research makes it possible to open doors to innovative treatments and improve the quality of life of patients with neurodegenerative conditions with no traditional cure.
An innovative approach to research
At RECLIP we are deeply concerned about the active involvement of patients in the development of clinical trials. Working with the opinion of patients and their families is key in aspects as relevant as the design of the protocol itself and the review of the information addressed to participants.
Educational resources and family involvement
At RECLIP we work to facilitate and support patient and family involvement in research, both at national and European level. The success of clinical research in paediatrics lies in having the opinion of patients and their families in the design of the protocol itself and in the review of the information addressed to participants.
Training materials bank
c4c has created a repository of educational materials designed to understand each phase of the process:
- What a paediatric clinical trial is and how it works
- Ethical and legal implications that guarantee the protection of the participant
- The active role that patients and their families can play in the development of medicines Access the educational resources bank
Support and advisory networks
Young Persons' Advisory Groups (YPAGs)
We work with our member centres and YPAGs at national level to serve as a point of contact, coordination and meeting.
Hospital Sant Joan De Deu
We have the valuable collaboration of one of our most active centres in patient involvement initiatives and PPI (Patient & Public Involvement) activities.
conect4children project (c4c)
As a participating entity in c4c, RECLIP joins efforts to raise awareness through patient organisations at national level.