Bibliometric Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials in the Philippines

Ian Theodore G.  Cabaluna, RPh, MD, Gdip (Epid), MSc; Sarah F.  Sevilla, RPh; Arianna Maever L.  Amit; Timothy Hudson David C.  Carandang, MD; Adrian  Espiritu, MD; Carol Stephanie C.  Tan-Lim, MD, MSc

doi:10.47895/

Bibliometric Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials in the Philippines

Authors

Ian Theodore G. Cabaluna, RPh, MD, Gdip (Epid), MSc Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6271-7301
Sarah F. Sevilla, RPh College of Pharmacy, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Arianna Maever L. Amit National Clinical Trials and Translation Center, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Center for Research and Innovation, School of Medicine and Public Health, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4571-400X
Timothy Hudson David C. Carandang, MD Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Research Development Unit, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7232-7684
Adrian Espiritu, MD Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5621-1833
Carol Stephanie C. Tan-Lim, MD, MSc Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8815-4191

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47895/

Keywords:

bibliometric analysis, randomized controlled trials, Philippines

Abstract

Background and Objective. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential for advancing evidence-based healthcare by evaluating the effectiveness and safety of health interventions. Despite the increasing recognition of clinical research, the Philippines has had limited contributions to global RCT output. This bibliometric analysis aims to assess the trends, characteristics, and impact of RCTs conducted in the Philippines and published online.

Methods. A systematic search of Medline (PubMed), and EMBASE, along with Acta Medica Philippina, was conducted to identify published RCTs from January 1990 to October 2022. Eligible studies were screened and analyzed based on publication trends, funding sources, study designs, research settings, and institutional contributions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize key findings.

Results. A total of 391 RCTs were identified, with a notable increase in number of RCTs published over time. Most studies (91.8%) were published in international journals, and funding was primarily sourced from pharmaceutical companies (47.1%). The predominant RCT design was two-arm parallel (64.7%), with hospitals being the most common research setting (54.2%). Research areas were led by infectious diseases, particularly vaccine-preventable illnesses (23.8%). While the University of the Philippines Manila (21.1%) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (13.7%) were the leading institutions in terms of highest number of published RCTs, foreign authors accounted for nearly half (47.3%) of primary authorships. The most cited studies focused on cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and oncology.

Conclusion. The increasing number of published RCTs in the Philippines reflects growth in research capacity and institutional engagement. Strengthening national research dissemination platforms and fostering regional collaborations will be essential in advancing the Philippines’ contribution to global clinical research.

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11/11/2025

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Early Access 2025

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Bibliometric Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials in the Philippines. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 11 [cited 2025 Nov. 13];. Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/13390

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Bibliometric Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials in the Philippines

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