China and India have joined the World Health Organization's online database of clinical trials to ensure that their research meets global standards, WHO said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.
The online portal was instituted in May to allow physicians, patients, scientists and policymakers track clinical trials worldwide. Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and the U.S. already are members of the portal, which is run by the United Nations.
"This development will contribute to improving the ethical conduct of and public trust in clinical trials, which are vital for testing new life-saving treatments," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said.
China's clinical trial registry was created in 2005 and has met U.N. criteria to submit data to the portal. India's registry this year was established and designed to meet WHO reporting rules, Reuters reports.
Chinese and Indian researchers "will be more accountable to the people who consent to participate in trials and to those who may benefit from research results," WHO said.
Brazil, Germany, South Africa and other countries also are discussing joining the clinical trial portal, a WHO spokesperson said (Reuters, 7/25).