Albany Health Campus is one of two regional health centres at the forefront of a landmark clinical trial for chemotherapy patients in regional WA, hosting a laboratory to test a new anti-nausea drug.

The trial is the first commercially sponsored clinical trial ever undertaken in regional WA, and is being run by the WA Country Health Service in collaboration with cancer research company Eli Lilly and Co.

The new medicine being trialled aims to help alleviate nausea for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

Patients in the trial are randomly sorted into two groups.

One group receives the new drug and one receives a placebo before they undergo their regular chemotherapy treatments and take their usual anti-emetic medication.

Their reactions of both groups following chemotherapy are then monitored by researchers and local health professionals to test the efficiency of the new medication.

In-house laboratories dedicated to the clinical trial have been set up inside Albany Health Campus and Esperance Health Campus to collect and test samples.

Minister for Medical Research Stephen Dawson said the new research was cementing WA’s status in the health research industry.

“This trial marks a major milestone in building WA’s clinical trial reputation globally, by attracting world-class treatments, industry research collaborations, and long-term investment into country communities,” he said.

“Ensuring rural and remote communities have access to trials like this one is crucial to improving equity in health care.

“By investing in regional clinical trial capability, the Cook Labor Government is improving patient outcomes while positioning WA as a key player on the national and global research stage.”

Health Minister Meredith Hammat said hosting the trial in regional centres meant patients could participate in a cutting-edge trial without having to travel to Perth.

“We are building a strong and sustainable clinical trials network that is ensuring country patients can access world-class research and health care closer to home,” she said.

“No matter where Western Australians live, they should have the opportunity to benefit from the latest medical advances, and having country hospitals involved in clinical trials is helping make that a reality.”