Pakistan produces a great deal of health research, but very little of it reaches the people who make decisions. At the 16th Annual International Public Health Conference, the Cochrane Pakistan HSA Chapter organized a panel discussion on knowledge synthesis and translation to ask why, and what we can do about it. The discussion fell into two parts: producing trustworthy evidence and translating it into policy and practice.

Producing evidence we can trust

It began with an uncomfortable truth. Not all research in Pakistan is of high quality, and this includes research by clinicians. Malpractice exists in many forms, from data fabrication and fraud to paying for an article simply to secure a degree or a promotion. Evidence of this kind does not help patients or policymakers, and it damages the credibility of honest researchers.

The panel agreed that the answer begins with purpose. Original research should be aligned with national problems and priorities, so that it........

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