Systematic review of Health Canada approved clinical therapeutic trials for the treatment or prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian clinical researchers pivoted their research programs to investigate repurposing drugs, accelerating the development of experimental therapies, and developing novel disease-specific treatments. This systematic review analyzes the trial design, participant characteristics, and reported outcomes of all Health Canada authorized clinical trials of therapeutics to prevent or treat COVID-19 with published results as of March 2023. We conclude that there is a need for adaptive clinical trial designs, broader pan-Canadian clinical trial networks, more targeted participant recruitment to facilitate increased diversity and inclusion, and standardization in reporting participant characteristics, outcome measurement, and follow-up. Finally, guided by our findings, we make recommendations for improved clinical trial designs when faced with an emerging disease.