Shaping the Patient-Centric Dialogue: Clinical Research at IMPACT 2026

Dialogue heals. Every patient deserves to know their voice is heard—and their future matters.

On 24 April 2026, the vanguard of Romania’s medical community gathered to bridge the gap between clinical innovation and patient access at the country’s largest patient‑centred event. Dr Cristina Florescu Moraid, CEO of the Avantyo Institute of Clinical Research, opened the landmark discussion, ‘From Innovation to Patient: Where is Romania Now?’, setting the tone for a transformative day.

With a career devoted to advancing clinical research and shaping regulatory standards, Dr Florescu Moraid remains a pivotal figure in the evolution of Romania’s clinical trial landscape. Throughout the sessions, she underscored that genuine progress requires more than scientific achievement – it demands a patient‑centred ecosystem that supports access to innovative therapies and demystifies the clinical process.

The event, expertly moderated by Andreea Marin, brought together leading voices from across Romania’s healthcare leadership. Key institutional figures included Răzvan Prisada (President of the National Agency for Medicines), Prof. Dr Doina Drăgănescu (President of the National Bioethics Commission), and Prof. Dr Michael Schenker (President of the National Commission of Oncology). They were joined by clinical experts such as Prof. Dr Anca Streinu‑Cercel and Conf. Dr Laurenția‑Nicoleta Galeș, alongside industry leaders including Cristina Mărgărit and Elena Aldea of ARPIM.

A deeply moving highlight of the day was the session ‘The Courage to Say Yes’, which shifted the focus from policy to people. Patients such as Doina Persecan, Diana Budacă and Dumitru Mihai Monea took the stage to share their lived experiences within clinical trials. They were joined by their physicians – Dr Ioana Vescan, Dr Lavinia Luca and Dr Camelia Chioncel – offering a full, human perspective on the trust, challenges and hope that define the clinical research journey.

A Future Built on Accessibility and Transparency

To conclude the day, Dr Florescu‑Moraid and Dr Loredana Pătru – President of the Elion Association – presented a strategic vision for the year ahead. A major milestone announced was the development of a dedicated Romanian‑language platform for patient enrolment. This tool aims to make essential information widely accessible and is expected to be ready for use by the end of the year.

‘This roundtable was directed at journalists and media professionals – the key communicators responsible for informing the general public,’ Dr Florescu Moraid noted. ‘It is our responsibility to interpret and convey scientific information using accessible language to help both patients and the public understand the significance of clinical research.’

As the event drew to a close, the message was unmistakable: by being better informed today, Romania’s healthcare system becomes stronger tomorrow.