Ministry of Health Presents the First National Strategy for Clinical Trials. CZECRIN Contributed to Its Preparation

On 15 July 2026, the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic presented the first National Strategy for Clinical Trials of Human Medicinal Products in the Czech Republic 2035. The document establishes a long-term framework for the development of clinical research, improved conditions for conducting clinical trials, and broader patient access to innovative treatment. Among the contributors to its preparation was the Czech Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (CZECRIN).

The strategy was presented at a press conference in Prague by the Minister of Health, Adam Vojtěch, together with representatives of the partners involved. It was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, the State Institute for Drug Control, VVI CZECRIN, the Association of Innovative Pharmaceutical Industry, the Association of Clinical Research Organizations ACRO-CZ, the Czech Health Research Council, healthcare providers, professional societies, patient organizations, and other members of the Ministry of Health’s Working Group for Clinical Trials.

Clinical trials can give patients access to innovative treatment even before it becomes routinely available in clinical practice. For healthcare facilities, they strengthen professional capacity, and for the Czech Republic they represent an investment in science, research, and healthcare. The strategy also aims to strengthen the Czech Republic’s position among European leaders in clinical research.

Doc. MUDr. Regina Demlová, Ph.D., Director of the national research infrastructure CZECRIN, which is part of the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University, drew attention to the importance of academic clinical trials during the presentation of the strategy. Fewer of these are conducted in the Czech Republic than the potential of domestic research facilities would allow. According to her, the strategy represents an important step toward their systematic support, the development of professional capacity, and the strengthening of international cooperation among Czech research centres.

The main priorities of the strategy include the further digitalization of processes, the standardization of contractual procedures, support for academic clinical trials, the development of professional capacity, the strengthening of international cooperation, and systematic communication with patients, healthcare professionals, and international partners.

One of the first concrete outcomes is the launch of a new national web portal on clinical trials, which VVI CZECRIN is also helping to prepare. The portal will bring together verified and clearly presented information in one place for patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and sponsors of clinical trials. Its launch is planned for the summer of 2026.

National Strategy for Clinical Trials of Human Medicinal Products in the Czech Republic 2035:
https://mzd.gov.cz/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Narodni-strategie-klinickych-hodnoceni-humannich-lecivych-pripravku-v-CR-2035.pdf