Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
A multicenter clinical trial in the Arab world
1Saif Bin Gobash and Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidullah Hospitals, Ras Alkhaima, UAE. eeabbas@emirates.net.ae
Abstract:
Financial, social, and perhaps religious, ethical, and other factors hinder investment and performance of clinical research in Arab countries. We report in that conducting multicenter clinical trials is feasible in the Arab world, describing our experience in planning and conducting one of the first multicenter, multinational, clinical trials in the region. A multicenter clinical trial sought to document the efficacy and safety of Epotin for the treatment of anemia in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Among 29 centers contacted for participation, a positive response was obtained from 17 (62%) located in eight countries. The initial recruitment period of 3 months was extended to 1 year. Among the participating centers, 16 forwarded their results in time, with one being late. There were minor and a few major protocol violations, the latter requiring exclusion of data from the final analysis. Sponsorship was mainly by a local pharmaceutical company (Julphar). A co-coordinating body was crucial to trace and gather the data. Since conduct of the trial required considerable time and effort from investigators, the use of modern information technology could have reduced the effort and improved the outcomes. We conclude that multicenter clinical trials, which are essential can be conducted in this region. This experience needs to be repeated and refined.
Related Concept Videos
Clinical Trials: Overview
Clinical Trials
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
Bioavailability Study Design: Single Versus Multiple Dose Studies
Bioequivalence studies: Biowaivers
Bioequivalence of Drugs: Drugs with Multiple Indications