One in four sites suspended clinical trials

One in four sites suspended clinical trials

Good news is that the vast majority of study sites are continuing their research despite the coronavirus epidemic. However, 22% of these have been quarantined.

CRO OST conducted a survey that revealed that the acute pathologies sites continued their work.

Moreover, 83% of the sites successfully apply innovative methods of clinical trials. This is due to the quick pandemic environment. Ministry of Health issued a letter that significantly helped the sites during the pandemic period.

How the study sites work?

Special standard operational procedures of National Medical Research Center may be a good example; they restrict stay time of visitors. Also, people are inquired for coronavirus.

Nearly 70% of sites are supported by Sponsors, e.g., direct-to-patient shipments, remote monitoring, etc.

Nearly half of the sites apply remote patient visits (home based). Half of the sites apply direct-to-patient drug delivery. 10% of the sites used vendors for home-based blood samples collection and delivery to study sites. Other 90% of the sites still apply on-site blood collections with no third party vendors.

3% of the sites were forced to shift their patients to other study sites. 40% of responders told of new R&D, including those in coronavirus

Conclusion

Number of patients is to some extent decreased. Site personnel prefer to treat patients remotely; only after final decision of the patient to participate, he is invited to the study site.

Survey revealed that sites actively implement electronic tools in their job; notably, that many of these did not use them before. Pandemic period revealed high effectiveness of modern solutions, e.g., electronic data capture or electronic patient diaries which to a great extent decrease the time of patient assessment and makes it more effective.