MRC hosted its first EDCTP-funded GCP training course from 7th to 11th May 2007. The Netherlands-based European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) was represented at the course by Dr Michael Makanga, Capacity Development Manager at the EDCTP’s regional office in Cape Town.
Thirty five professionals from seven African countries participated in the training (The Gambia, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Rwanda). Course participants included research clinicians, data managers, research nurses and laboratory technologists.

Four specialist trainers were brought in from the Swiss Tropical Institute: Christian Burri, Hermann Garden, Rosine Buxdorf and Bettina Ley. Topics covered during the training course included research ethics, drug development, archiving, informed consent and data management.

What is GCP?
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, recording and reporting trials that involve the participation of human subjects. Compliance with this standard provides public assurance that the rights, safety and well being of trial subjects are protected, and that the clinical trial data are credible. GCP also reassures funding organizations that trials are being conducted according to internationally recognized standards.

MRC is committed to the implementation of GCP.