Annual data

We are committed to delivering consistently high standards of ethical practice and scientific conducted in all our trials worldwide, whether conduct by us or by third parties on our behalf.

We are also committed to public transparency on registration and results of all clinical trials – whether positive or negative.

Objective

To be recognised globally as adopting and promoting methodologies in the conduct of clinical trials that ensure patients are treated ethically and safely.

To be recognised as an industry leader in the publication and sharing of clinical trial information.

Targets

Review (across a selected range of countries with differing cultures and medical practices) of best practice use of new communication tools and media to better communicate with and protect the interests of patients, in particular those with limited education, income and healthcare coverage.

Design a package of tools to employ the best practice identified from the review and ensure availability for use AstraZeneca employees and AstraZeneca appointed third parties engaged in the conduct of clinical trials.

Clinical trials information published in line with our disclosure policy.

Conduct a review of all items of information that constitute any part of the drug design and development process, in order to share as much information publicly as possible.

Disclosure of clinical trials in line with AstraZeneca policy requirements.

Completion of best-practice review. Development and availability of best-practice toolkit.

Improvement in our external reputation relating to R&D ethics in commentaries made by Dow Jones/Sustainability Index
 

Disclosure of clinical trials in line with AstraZeneca policy requirements: by the end of 2012 we had registered 2,050 trials and posted the results of 1,360 on public websites.

Continued commitment to disclosure strengthened by expanding disclosure policy to include, as from January 2013, posting clinical protocols when a manuscript has been accepted by a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Review of procedures to protect vulnerable patients showed that our standards are adhered to. Need identified for ongoing improvement to the consent process.

100% score for R&D ethics in Dow Jones Index.