Patients Take the Spotlight in Clinical Trials

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- A powerful shift unfolded during CRM Trial Connect 2025 as the Patient Engagement Forum brought together patients, advocates and professionals, not as counterparts but as co-navigators in the clinical trial journey. What emerged was an honest and moving conversation that underscored the importance of trust, empathy and shared understanding in reshaping public perceptions of clinical trials.

Moderated by Dr Zulhilmi Paiz, Co-Founder of the ASEAN Hemophilia Network, the forum featured three compelling voices: Mr Victor Paul Dorai Raj, a trial participant; Ms Staci Tan, a cancer survivor and former trial participant, as well as Ms Ranjit Kaur Pritam Singh, Immediate Past President of the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia. Each panellist brought a distinct perspective that shed light on the often-unspoken emotional landscape of clinical trial participation touching on fears, uncertainties and the silent courage it takes to say “yes” to something unknown.

“You are not just a data point,” one panellist shared. “You’re a person being monitored, supported and guided, sometimes more thoroughly than ever before.” This sentiment captured the heart of the session: trust in the system deepens when the system chooses to listen.

The discussion also addressed broader issues such as lingering misconceptions, the role of supportive care and financial assistance and the need for professionals to use more humanised, empowering language. Dr Zulhilmi emphasised the importance of building confidence through patient-to-patient advocacy and empowering experienced participants to serve as ambassadors for others entering clinical trials for the first time.

Held in conjunction with Clinical Trials Day, the forum was a timely reminder that clinical research is ultimately about people. In recognition of this, the event also saw the presentation of the CRM Sponsored Research Awards 2025 to outstanding contributors in clinical research. Among those honoured were Dr Voon Pei Jye of Sarawak General Hospital for Investigator of the Year, University of Malaya Medical Centre and Sarawak General Hospital as top-performing study sites, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) as Sponsor of the Year, IQVIA as CRO of the Year and The Star Media for its role in increasing public awareness of clinical research.

CRM Trial Connect 2025 continues to advance Malaysia and the region as a global clinical research hub and the Patient Engagement Forum stands as a milestone in ensuring that progress is not only scientific but profoundly human.

About Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) 

Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) is a Global Trusted Research Management Organisation established by the Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2012. The organisation is guided by the principles of Humanity, Stability and Sustainability in providing global clinical trial solutions and enabling a thriving clinical research ecosystem in the country. At its very core, CRM aims to bring clinical research that addresses the unmet needs of patients and transforms health outcomes in Malaysia. 

CRM delivers sponsored clinical trials with Speed, Reliability and Quality through operational excellence and working with stakeholders by providing end-to-end clinical research support services. Certified with both ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) and ISO 37001:2016 (Anti-Bribery Management System), and being aligned to international regulations, our core values and code of conduct are ingrained throughout CRM. The strength of this organisation lies in the people of CRM as we strive in our vision to make Malaysia the preferred clinical research hub in Asia. https://clinicalresearch.my   

SOURCE: Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM)

--BERNAMA