# Tribute to the Life and Work of Dr. María Amparo Pascual López

**Date:** 09/16/2023

At the National Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials (Cencec), tribute was paid to the life and work of Dr. María Amparo Pascual López, who passed away last July and was a prominent Cuban researcher and public health specialist, founding director of that institution.

Her vision, professionalism, and commitment to life made it possible to promote the creation of that important center in our country in 1991, which constituted invaluable support for the national pharmaceutical and medical industry.

Under her leadership, among other significant contributions to that field, the extensive national network of clinical trials came to life; leading products such as Recombinant Streptokinase, Leukocim, and Heberprot-P were evaluated and registered; multiple collaboration projects were carried out with countries in America and Europe; as well as the Cuban Public Registry of Clinical Trials was created, the first primary registry of the World Health Organization in the Americas.

Cuba, and especially the National Health System, have much to be grateful for regarding the dedication, sensitivity, and commitment of Dr. María Amparo. It is the duty of new generations to keep her example alive and take advantage of her legacy for the benefit of their preparation and the life of our people.