Companies that add pharma Fx-a-Form multi-page labels to their products will be under greater scrutiny thanks to a new Europe-wide register.

The European Union (EU) is making information relating to clinical trials carried out in member states available to the public.

John Dallie, European commissioner for health and consumer policy, described this as "good news" for patients, as they should find it easier to get information relating to what tests are ongoing.

"It is also of great interest to healthcare professionals and carers, the research community and industry," he commented.

According to EU figures, about 10,000 clinical trials are underway across the continent "at any given time".

The international body hopes making information on the tests more widely available will prevent trials being duplicated unnecessarily.

This comes after the UK government confirmed that £775 million is to be invested in translational research over the next five years.

Prime minister David Cameron said the funding should help Britain maintains its position as a "centre of scientific excellence".

Denny Bros Ltd, 23 March 2011