The Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR) has been redeveloped with the aim of providing a more user-friendly, easy-to-navigate website for researchers, policymakers, funders and the public. PACTR is a regional clinical trials registry which aims to serve the needs of African clinical trials, clinicians and trial participants.

The revised database is available at www.pactr.org.

Some of the improved features include:

• Easy navigation
• An easy-to-search GIS map showing clinical trial locations by subject
• Optimised search functions with easy-to-download formats

PACTR is the only African WHO-endorsed primary registry of clinical trials conducted in Africa. It is open-access and trials are registered free of charge. PACTR was originally developed in 2006 with a focus on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.  In 2009 it was expanded to include all conditions and renamed PACTR. PACTR is based at the South African Medical Research Council and is managed by Cochrane South Africa with initial funding from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP).

“The overall aim is to increase transparency by promoting clinical trial registration and also to provide a consolidated platform to search for information on clinical trials,” said Tamara Kredo, Deputy Director of Cochrane SA. “PACTR aims to assist in the regulation, registration and ethical oversight of clinical trials in Africa.”

“PACTR is increasingly becoming the registry of choice for African trials and recently registered the 1500th trial,” said Elizabeth Pienaar, PACTR Project Manager.

“PACTR is unique in recognising that African trialists often face additional challenges in trial registration and seeks to provide ways of overcoming these. For example, a common problem in sub-Saharan Africa is limited, unreliable and costly internet access. With this in mind, the registry provides manual registration for those without reliable internet access,” said Pienaar. “These features are included and updated in the new version.”

Feedback on the website and its new features is welcomed at pactradmin@mrc.ac.za or elizabeth.pienaar@mrc.ac.za

Michelle Galloway
Cochrane SA