According to a recent report by the national pharmaceutical industry association, the number of industry-sponsored clinical trials in Ireland grew by 34% year-on-year, and the average time to recruit the first patient dropped from 67 to 46 days. These improvements are the result of collaborative efforts across government, healthcare, and industry to reduce barriers and modernise infrastructure.
However, Ireland still faces systemic issues that limit its ability to fully capitalise on its clinical and scientific potential. Among the key bottlenecks identified:
▪️ A lack of standardised processes across hospitals
▪️ Delays in contracting and approvals, including Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
▪️ The absence of dedicated signatories within institutions to streamline decision-making
To address these, the National Clinical Trials Oversight Group (NCTOG) has issued interim recommendations, including:
▪️ A harmonised national trial contract process
▪️ Predictable costing frameworks
▪️ Clear assignment of responsibilities around data governance and trial approvals
These reforms are essential if Ireland wants to become a truly competitive destination for clinical research investment – and more importantly, if patients are to benefit from faster access to innovative and potentially life-saving treatments.
Ireland already has the talent, the infrastructure, and the investment. What’s needed now is a system that matches the ambition – one that is digitally enabled, operationally streamlined, and patient-centred.
With the full implementation of the EU Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR) and the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS), there’s never been a better moment for Ireland to align itself with European momentum and deliver a national research model fit for the future.
Clinical research saves lives – and building an efficient, transparent, and scalable ecosystem is no longer a choice. It’s a responsibility.
