Pfizer receives accredidation for human trial safety

Thanks to the Association for the Accredidation of Human Research Protection Programs, Pfizer now holds the title of the first pharma or biotech company to have its Phase I human research trials accredited for ensuring protection of human trial participants. Three of the pharma giant's clinical research units underwent the 15-month review--New Haven, Singapore and Brussels, Belgium. "It's a very rigorous process and Pfizer is very deserving of the award," AAHRPP spokesman David Ward tells FierceBiotech.

"Pfizer is proud to be the first pharmaceutical or biotech company to obtain AAHRPP accreditation and take our place alongside some of the best universities and hospitals that are also AAHRPP-accredited." Pfizer CEO Jeffrey Kindler said in a statement. "Accreditation is part of Pfizer's ongoing efforts to demonstrate our commitment to integrity and increased transparency in research and operations,"

AAHRP is the only organization that accredits research done on humans, says Ward. The organization hopes Pfizer's accreditation will encourage other companies to follow suit. "Pfizer's commitment to accreditation will expand the number of participants covered by AAHRPP standards," Marjorie Speers, AAHRP president and CEO said in a statement. "And that's important, because setting uniform, high standards across the research enterprise-in industry, government, and non-profit sectors-will improve protections for research participants in the U.S. and internationally."

- see the Pfizer release
- read the AAHRPP release