5 - Benefit for the health care system

Several International guidelines recommend that, whenever proposing research in developing countries, the sponsor agency be required to build local and national capacity for designing and conducting trials and for the scientific and ethical review of research projects. Making resources available for improving the technical capacity to conduct and evaluate research, as well as the ability to carry out proper ethical review, is one way to promote this effort.

Other ways to ensure development of local capacities include:

• Execution of all laboratory testing locally, thus transferring technology to the host country;
• Appointing a local head researcher and local clinical staff, thus contributing to the education and skill level of healthcare professionals.