Decentralised clinical trials make clinical trials easier for patients by reducing the need to travel to clinical sites. They are also known as “Direct-to-participant trials” or “virtual” studies.
DCTs are highly technology driven that often require the use of the following:


Depending upon the clinical trial design and practicality, DCTs may be:


Challenges posed by multiple data systems and processing teams





















Challenges in consolidation of data at the time of document preparation.





















Reconciliation of data can potentially take longer.





















Submission delays.





















Inspections & Audits become more complex.





















Vendor management is complex and more expensive.





















Partner Notifications/Exchange of Information, additional tracked activities.
Requirements of the Centralized Safety System





















Technical Agreement





















Safety Management Plans





















Central SOPs with Work Instructions





















Site Communication Protocol





















Safety Database + Processes





















Compliance and Governance





















Validated Safety Database System





















EDC <> Safety Data Exchange





















Secure Notifications to Sites





















Follow Ups and Site Queries Tracking Tools





















Literature Management Tools





















Signal and Trending Tools, Volume Dependent





















AI Based Tools to process large volumes of data





















Data Migration Tools to support product transfers, etc.
References
- European Medicines Agency: Guideline on good pharmacovigilance practices (GVP) Module VI – Collection,
management and submission of reports of suspected adverse reactions to medicinal products (Rev 2);
Dated 28 July 2017. - European Medicines Agency: Detailed guide regarding the monitoring of medical literature and the entry of
relevant information into the EudraVigilance database by the European Medicines Agency; Dated 12 May 2015 - European Medicines Agency: Monitoring of medical literature and the entry of relevant information into the
EudraVigilance database by the European Medicines Agency; Description of the Journal/Reference databases
used; Dated 21 December 2016
Author


Dr. Parul Singla - Sr. Director, PV Operations
Parul is an M.D. in Pharmacology with over 15 years of experience in pharmacovigilance and clinical research. He has managed
the expectations of multiple clients on quality and compliance for complex analytical work in medical safety such as signal
management, risk management, aggregate report preparation, and on the immediate impact case management functions.
He has participated in over 10 regulatory inspections with successful outcomes. Parul has experience across pre and postmarketing
pharmacovigilance including signal management, aggregate report, ICSR case processing, SAE/ SUSAR processing and
reporting, analysis of similar events, safety management plans, SAE reconciliation plan, etc. In his previous role, he headed the
pharmacovigilance department of a global pharmaceutical company where he successfully accomplished global harmonization
of the pharmacovigilance function to create a Centre of Excellence.