Table 1 Context of clinical research regulation in Finland, compared to England, Canada (Ontario), and the USA around 2010
Finland | England | Canada | USA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Population size (millions) | 5.4 | 56 | 13 | 312 |
Health services | Mainly publicly funded and organized | Publicly funded and organized | Publicly funded, privately organized | Mainly privately funded and organized |
Local drug industry and exports | 0 | +++ | + | +++ |
Local drug industry research | + | +++ | + | +++ |
Clinical research activity | ++ | +++ | ++ | +++ |
Number of drug trials (relative to population size) | ++ | ++ | ++ | ++ |
Government promotion of clinical research | 0 | +++ | + | + |
Government promotion of commercial clinical research | 0 | + | ++ | ++ |
Research within same regulations | Medical research narrowly | Medical research broadly | Broad (human research) | Broad (human research) |
Specific laws on drug trials | Yes + EU directive | Yes + EU directive | Yes | Yes |