New leaflet highlights why Europe
needs better access to clinical trials
across borders
At PiCC United, we believe that where you live should never determine whether you can take part in a clinical trial.
That is why we are proud to have contributed to the new EU-X-CT Biotech Act Leaflet, which explains why improving cross-border access to clinical trials must become a priority across Europe.
“We believe that where you live should never determine whether you can take part in a clinical trial.”
Why is this important?
Many patients are willing to participate in clinical trials but cannot do so because the study is taking place in another European country. Although patients can travel freely across the EU, access to clinical trials is often limited by national rules, administrative barriers and practical challenges.
This means that patients may miss opportunities to receive innovative treatments while researchers struggle to recruit enough participants for important studies.
What does the leaflet explain?
The leaflet highlights several practical ways Europe can improve access to clinical trials, including:
- Making it easier for patients to join trials in other European countries.
- Reducing unnecessary administrative barriers.
- Improving collaboration between healthcare systems, researchers and regulators.
- Ensuring patients receive clear information about available clinical trials.
- Recognising patients as essential partners when developing future European policies.
These improvements could help more patients access research opportunities while making Europe a stronger and more attractive place to conduct clinical research.
What does the leaflet explain?
The leaflet highlights several practical ways Europe can improve access to clinical trials, including:
- Making it easier for patients to join trials in other European countries.
- Reducing unnecessary administrative barriers.
- Improving collaboration between healthcare systems, researchers and regulators.
- Ensuring patients receive clear information about available clinical trials.
- Recognising patients as essential partners when developing future European policies.
These improvements could help more patients access research opportunities while making Europe a stronger and more attractive place to conduct clinical research.
PiCC United's contribution
PiCC United has been pleased to contribute the patient perspective to this work through the EU-X-CT initiative.
Our role has focused on ensuring that the voices of patients remain central to discussions about the future of clinical trials. Better cross-border access is not only about research—it is about giving every patient a fair opportunity to participate in innovation, regardless of where they live.
We will continue working with European partners to remove barriers and promote more equitable access to clinical trials across Europe.
Read the full EU-X-CT Biotech Act Leaflet here: