After implementing a new transparency program requiring sponsors to register their trial on Clinicaltrials.gov and identify study outcomes, it was found that only 8% of clinical trials report positive results. Clinical trials performed from 2000 to 2012 reported positive outcomes 8% of of the time; this is a significant decrease compared to the rate of 57% positive found in trails performed from 1970 to 1999. These results come from the assessment of cardiovascular studies sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute during this time period.

It is likely that the assessment of clinical trials studying other indications would report similar findings. To read more on Fiona Barry’s article in in-pharm, click here.