Centres, Units and Institutes 

Clinical Research Unit

The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) based at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, offers ethical clinical research and related services in world-class facilities. This allows local and global pharmaceutical companies and other clients to conduct a wide range of clinical trials while adhering to Good Clinical Practice.

A team of experienced study coordinators, dispensing physicians and investigators take care of all aspects of the clinical trials conducted at the CRU. The unit has experience in, among others, internal medicine, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurology, psychiatry, urology, trauma, infectious diseases, vaccines, bio-availability and bio-equivalence studies.

The CRU’s recruitment area includes a large tertiary referral hospital, various primary care clinics and eight district hospitals. Facilities include three consulting rooms, a 12-bed patient ward, a temperature-controlled pharmacy, an emergency trolley, a laboratory, storage facilities and computers.

The Clinical Research Unit, situated in the Pathology Building, is currently conducting clinical research studies in virtually all therapeutic areas. The unit is managed by Dr Sophie Mathijs. The unit has recently had an audit from the FDA in the USA with no critical findings, indicating the high quality of clinical research being conducted. The unit presents an opportunity to all clinicians in the School of Medicine to become involved in clinical research, who have the support of an experienced study coordinator team and a site 100% set-up for research. This is the ideal opportunity to gain the experience required by the SAHPRA to be involved in research as a principal investigator within the academic setting or as a private physician.