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.
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.