Pharmaceutical R&D initiatives are now designed with a global market in mind. Conducting clinical trials in the European Union offers important advantages over emerging new regions. It is a region with an advanced level of healthcare and considerable experience in clinical research. These 27 countries all work under similar guidelines and offer a safe research environment, advanced healthcare systems, and considerable experience in clinical research.

This guide hopes to act as a primer on the laws and regulations that oversee clinical research, patient privacy, and confidentiality in the European Union.