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.