STAT+: A key European clinical trial registry lacks complete and timely results, an analysis finds

A new analysis revealed that less than half of the clinical trials registered in a key European database, the EU Clinical Trials Register (EUCTR), had their results reported within the legally mandated timeframe. Specifically, complete results were fully disclosed for only 42% of the studies. The analysis examined 234 clinical trials where results were expected to be published. While the quality of the initial registration data was high, with over 99% of expected data present, the researchers concluded that compliance with legal reporting requirements is weak. The study, which was posted on the medRxiv preprint server, also highlighted a lack of robust regulatory oversight. The authors stated that European Union and member state regulators have not yet achieved the "high levels of transparency never seen before for clinical trials" that were promised. This finding raises concerns about the completeness and timeliness of information available to researchers and the public regarding medical research conducted in Europe.