New CRO mCTA for UK launched to boost R&D

The UK's Department of Health has launched a new Contract Research Organization model Clinical Trial Agreement (CRO mCTA) to replace the multiplicity of contracts that companies had to negotiate with individual National Health Service hospitals. The government portrayed the move as "another positive step to develop the NHS as a world-class environment for health research in the public interest."

The model Clinical Trial Agreement has already been considered a success in speeding up the initiation of clinical trials, notably in a pilot study following its introduction in Scotland. A similar type of model accord for trials managed by CROs has been introduced following requests from both drug firms and NHS trusts.