The association, established with the vision of bringing together all stakeholders in the field of clinical research, was initially chaired by Prof. Dr. Meral Tuncer; this role was subsequently assumed by Prof. Dr. Murat Akova and Prof. Dr. Hamdi Akan. Currently, the presidency of the association is held by Dr. (Pharm.) Hilal İlbars. In 2021, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Ayhan was awarded the title of Honorary President.
After 2006, the structure of the association’s board of directors was expanded to include not only academicians and representatives from the Ministry of Health, but also members from the pharmaceutical industry and contract research organizations.
In order to contribute to knowledge generation and capacity building in the field of clinical research, the association organizes training programs, online courses, printed publications, symposia, and national congresses. In addition, it actively continues its activities on digital platforms through a web portal, a YouTube channel, and a LinkedIn page.
The Clinical Research Association was founded in 2006 through the collaboration of members of the Central Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health and employees of the Ministry. The founding executive board of the association was composed as follows:
President: Prof. Dr. Meral Tuncer
(Chair of the Central Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University)
Vice President: Dr. (Pharm.) Hilal İlbars
(Clinical Research Unit, General Directorate of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacy, Ministry of Health)
Secretary General: Pharm. Rabia Gökdoğan
(Clinical Research Unit, General Directorate of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacy, Ministry of Health)
Treasurer: Dr. Sabahattin Özkaya
(Private Polyclinic)
Member: Prof. Dr. Murat Akova
(Member of the Central Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health; Vice Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Division of Infectious Diseases)
Member: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz Avşar
(Member of the Central Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health; Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital)
Member: Dr. Ekmel Olcay
(Pharmacologist)
This structure represents the first example of a multidisciplinary approach aimed at establishing strong collaboration among regulatory authorities, academia, and practitioner stakeholders in the field of clinical research.
