Trials registration: a new era in Thailand

Registration of clinical trials or research can result in many benefits. Patients have access to pertinent information. We have a better and more indicative picture of research status in areas where registration is mandatory. Researchers can use the information to form a common interest group and collaborate their research as well as to avoid unnecessary duplication. Registered information can also enable detection of defective design and can lead to improvements of trial protocol or its implementation. Most importantly, it can help to reduce problems of publication bias and selective reporting. Journals do not like to publish negative or inconclusive results. Pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to report results that may jeopardize their revenue. We need absolute transparency to utilize evidence with trust.