Advancing Clinical Research in Bangladesh: Bridging Evidence to Practice

Abstract

Bangladesh has a proud legacy of clinical research, from pioneering oral rehydration therapy to advancing affordable vaccines. Yet, despite strong institutions such as the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC), and world-class centers like icddr,b, the translation of evidence into practice remains uneven. Fragmented ethics review processes, limited pragmatic trials, and unclear data governance continue to slow progress. With the global shift toward risk-based monitoring and equity-focused trial standards under ICH E6(R3) and E8(R1), Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to strengthen its research ecosystem. This editorial argues for a ten-point agenda, including professionalizing IRBs, embedding quality by design, modernizing data protection, and funding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) implementation research. By aligning governance, financing, and training with international best practices, Bangladesh can shorten the evidence-to-practice gap and position itself as a regional leader in producing research that directly improves patient care.