Industry study benefi ts from Network know-howChildren with chronic kidney disease will benefi t from the results of an international clinical study led by a Manchester-based consultant working with the Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN).
This important commercial research study
“I think the speed at which documents are
step we could take to help other people. At
looked at children with kidney disease who
the beginning we went regularly but these
Network. The whole way in which we were able
days we only have to visit the hospital every
to action ethical approvals and R&D approvals
drug called losartan treated this condition.
was much faster in the Trusts because of MCRN
Proteinuria, if left untreated, can reduce
involvement. They provided a resource, in terms
Gail says that it is the support provided by
of staff support, that made a real diff erence.”
Network staff that has ensured her family’s
to blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart
disease and stroke in later life. The study
proved that losartan could signifi cantly lower
“Taking part in the study has never been a
protein levels and so benefi t patients.
“It’s also important to highlight the impact
problem. The nurses always keep in touch,
let me know when the medicine is due and
achieved a high rate of retention and this
they’re always there to meet me when we
from publication in the Clinical Journal of
was down to the relationships researchers
have a hospital appointment. They’ve made
built with the children and their families. It’s
sure it’s been a positive experience and I’d be
emphasised the role MCRN has to play in the
one thing recruiting patients to a trial, but it’s
successful delivery of Industry studies.
The study was the fi rst time MCRN had worked Helena Prady, a senior research nurse in the
Greater Manchester MCRN, describes some of
their ability to impact on a study by playing
a signifi cant role from an early stage. They
put Merck, Sharpe and Dohme in touch with
“Recruiting a child to a research study is a
the eventual global study lead and recruited
big commitment for the child, but it’s a big
another English site (Great Ormond Street)
commitment for the family too. The danger
when it proved necessary. Dr Nick Deaney,
we face is that the child and his/her family
Merck, Sharpe and Dohme Research Director,
fi nd the process too onerous and decide to
withdraw from the study, or at the end of the study decide to avoid research in the future.”
“We got two clear benefi ts from working
with MCRN. Firstly, they directed us to Dr
Because of this risk, Helena and her Network
Involvement (PPI) is helping Network staff
Nick Webb, who became heavily involved in
meet the needs of the patients and families
the design and implementation of the study.
involved in clinical research more eff ectively.
Secondly, when we realised recruitment was
used the Network’s fl exibility to make
themselves available for hospital visits at the
cer, feels their network of Young Person’s
beginning and end of the day – the times
Advisory Groups is starting to bare fruit:
site and help us recruit to target. From our
most convenient for busy families. And they
point of view, MCRN provided an invaluable
provided parents with their mobile numbers
“We set up the fi rst Young Person’s Advisory
so they could get in touch if necessary. By
providing this sort of access the nurses
based at Alder Hey Children’s Foundation
minimized the disruption to family life.
Trust in 2006. We recruited 15 young people
director of the Greater Manchester, Lancashire
Gail Russell’s son, Robert, took part in the
Research Network and consultant paediatric
original losartan trial and is still involved
medicine, in some form or another. We now
nephrologist explains how the MCRN’s ability
have groups based in Trent, West Midlands,
to provide support with regulatory approvals
the South West and London who all form one
“Robert’s been on the study for two years
National Advisory Group. Our profi le is rising
and he has to take losartan every day. We got
and we’re providing consultation exercises
involved because it seemed like a positive
to researchers for service and treatment
Impact of MCRN demonstrated in key industry study
West Midlands Young Person’s Advisory Group learning about formulations; how medicines are made for
programmes, off ering opinions and advice on patient information leafl ets and websites, working with researchers on the design of interview schedules and much more.”
implement, in particular when the impacts on the family have not been considered or minimised. The MCRN fosters collaboration between experts and children, parents and/or carers when studies are being designed and implemented, a process that has been shown to improve the experience of participants and families and accelerate recruitment.
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Impact of MCRN demonstrated in key industry study
Program for Graverdagen 2013 Kl. 8.45-9.15: Ankomst og registrering. Kaffe/te/vand og croissant Store Sal Velkomst v. John Hansen, formand for FUJ, og Christoffer Guldbrandsen, journalistisk chef for DR2 og instruktør af bl.a. 'Fogh bag facaden', 'Den hemmelige krig' og 'Dagbog fra midten'. Why is investigative reporting so important? Ved David Leigh, der på The Guardian opbyggede verden
West Midlands Young Person’s Advisory Group learning about formulations; how medicines are made for
programmes, off ering opinions and advice on patient information leafl ets and websites, working with researchers on the design of interview schedules and much more.”
implement, in particular when the impacts on the family have not been considered or minimised. The MCRN fosters collaboration between experts and children, parents and/or carers when studies are being designed and implemented, a process that has been shown to improve the experience of participants and families and accelerate recruitment.