Last call for abstracts Fifth EDCTP Forum (deadline 1 May 2009)

Published on 22 April 2009 in 'Announcements'

The Fifth EDCTP Forum Committee welcomes the submission of abstracts on clinical research on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria for the Fifth EDCTP Forum which will take place from 12 to 14 October 2009 in Arusha, Tanzania. All accepted abstracts will be presented in roundtable and plenary sessions or as electronic poster. There will be a limited number of bursaries, especially for young researchers from Africa.

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EDCTP at NEPAD workshop on harmonisation of drug registration in Africa

Published on 15 April 2009 in 'Announcements'

From 24 to 26 February, 138 stakeholders came together in a NEPAD workshop organised to invite project proposals for strengthening harmonisation of regulatory functions at regional economic community (REC) level of Africa. During the meeting, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the Department for International Development (DfID) of the United Kingdom expressed their interest to fund projects on harmonisation of drug registration in Africa within a consortium of donors of like-minded organisations and funders such as EDCTP.

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Tanzania increases R&D budget from 0.3% to 1% of GDP

Published on 7 April 2009 in 'Announcements'

His Excellency the President of Tanzania, Honorable Jakaya Kikwete has announced that the Tanzanian government will raise public investment in Research & Development from the current 0.3% to 1% of its GDP as of the financial year 2009/2010. By taking this step, Tanzania is the first African country with a high disease burden to significantly increase its health research budgets following repeated calls for such a move. EDCTP congratulates President Kikwete and encourages other African leaders to follow suite.

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HIV/ TB co-infection stakeholder meeting

Published on 30 March 2009 in 'Announcements'

EDCTP has a strategy for its calls and grants that focuses on a product-based approach. In order to realise this strategy EDCTP holds stakeholder meetings in preparation of the launch of its calls.

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Putting the well-being of African study participants first: Gabon establishes national ethics committee

Published on 26 March 2009 in 'Announcements, Press Releases'

As the number of health research conducted in sub-Saharan Africa increases, so does the need for improved review of the ethical and scientific rigour of these trials. As we work on increasing the quality of research, we should also work on ensuring the safety of research participants. The recently established National Bioethics Committee of Gabon, which was established with the help of a grant from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), is an example of the progress made to safeguard the well-being of African study participants.

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