Today at Momentum Clinical Research we celebrate the scientists, researchers, healthcare professionals and participants who make clinical trials and medical advancement possible. 

Chief Medical Officer, Prof Richard Stubbs spoke last week to Radio NZ to discuss the tremendously rewarding work conducted by Momentum staff across the 13 research sites in New Zealand and Australia. 

"Our staff are doctors and nurses from all around the country who are incredibly enthusiastic and passionate about the work we do. We think what we do is important and will bring forward the day that there will be better medications for a vast majority of conditions."

Dr Stubbs also spoke about the prevalence of rare disorders in New Zealand and the multiple barriers to treatment that these patients face including limited access to publicly funded medicine. 

Listen to the full interview here: Radio NZ Interview

"Clinical trials can provide an opportunity for individuals to gain access to the best available medicines today and potentially to investigational medicines that could prove to be even better. "

"Our spread of research sites across NZ and Australia means if there are clinical trials or new medications coming available, then through our network we can take them to where people live. Therefore the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for relatively rare conditions becomes an option." 

Clinical trials have come a long way since 1774 when James Lind, a ship's surgeon in the British Royal Navy started what is often considered to be the first randomized clinical trial. Lind found a cure for scurvy after carrying out a clinical trial in just 12 people, of whom two received the active treatment of citrus fruit to treat the disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. 

Happy International Clinical Trials Day from Momentum Clinical Research!