Quantifying the benefits and costs of conducting sponsored clinical trials in a publicly funded New Zealand hospital 2011

Objective: To identify and analyse the benefits and costs of sponsored clinical trials in a publicly funded New Zealand hospital, from the perspective of (1) the research unit; (2) the District Health Board; (3) New Zealand Society. Methods: We draw on the data relating to cases and controls in a health outcomes study of two clinical trials to assess preventative medication for patients at risk of serious cardiovascular events. The data include Ministry of Health data, The Centre for Clinical Research and Effective Practice (CCRep) profit and loss statements, Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) Chronic Care Management data, trial protocols and data from a trial health outcome co-study. Results The results indicate that benefits exceed the costs associated with clinical trials. Conclusion: There may be economic advantages for the research unit, the Health Board and New Zealand society in actively encouraging sponsored clinical trials within publically funded hospitals.