title: Pharmaceutical research: paradox, challenge or dilemma?
abstract: A great deal of pharmaceutical research is nowadays carried out in developing countries such as Pakistan. Is it, however, beneficial for the country and the participants, often the poorly educated and illiterate? Pharmaceutical research in Pakistan can bring benefits to both patients and country. Promotion of good clinical practice and the development of national guidelines are advocated. Government and industry both have a role to play to maintain the right balance.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy, Nutrition and Central Sterile Services Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. latif.sheikh@aku.edu
authors.forename: Abdul Latif
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sheikh
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000941:ethics*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000941:ethics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D032984:Ethics, Research; D033161:Government Regulation; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006805:Human Experimentation / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D010154:Pakistan; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration