Minister of Public Health Dr. Jamil Jabak launched in conjunction with the World Health Organization the Lebanon Clinical Trials Registry (LCTR), which is considered as the first in its kind in the Arab World and a national and regional accomplishment to enhance transparency and credibility of the studies conducted in Lebanon. The national registry will enable the ministry to make sure the studies comply with the international medical and ethical standards and boost the number of clinical projects carried out in Lebanon, which may put Lebanon on the map of scientific and medical development.

The register will be under the supervision of Dr. Rasha Hamra, where the Ministry of Public health will put its expertise in the service of the Arab Health ministries as to the registration of clinical studies.

During the launching ceremony, a cooperation project has been signed by and between the Ministry of Public and the WHO for strong cooperation that resulted into the electronic program for LCTR.

In a statement, Minister Jabak noted that the reasons behind the unprecedented collaboration with the WHO are the confidence in the ability of the Ministry to manage the registry and in the universities, university hospitals and other health institutions to conduct studies on humans according to international scientific and ethical standards.

Dr. Walid Ammar, the Ministry’s director general stated that the developed register will help Lebanon play a leading role in the field of studies and will enhance transparency and ability to benefit from clinical trials.