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Steps To Establishing a Quality Culture in Clinical Research

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A quality culture pertains to the shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that incorporates a quality mindset which also influences the actions taken by individuals within an organization. It is essential to establish a quality culture in the workplace in clinical trials to ensure high-quality data is collected and patient safety is maintained.  Establishing a quality culture in clinical research is not just about having policies and procedures in place, it is also about ensuring that everyone follows them. This requires implementing several important steps.

Step One: Define quality expectations

The first step in establishing a quality culture is to identify the quality standards, processes, procedures, and timelines that must be followed to ensure high-quality research. It is required to develop clear expectations for data collection, monitoring, and reporting, as well as define requirements for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. Make sure that everyone involved in the research understands what is expected of them in terms of quality and patient safety.

Step Two:  Develop quality metrics

The next step is to create a set of measurable indicators that can be used to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the quality management system. These metrics should be clearly defined and aligned with the organization’s quality expectations. Examples of quality metrics in clinical trials may include the number of protocol deviations, the percentage of completed monitoring visits, and the number of audit findings.

Step Three: Establish a quality management system

Establishing and implementing a clinical quality management system involves creating a set of policies, procedures, and practices that ensure that all processes are in place to achieve quality expectations. It is crucial to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data collection, analysis, and reporting, as well as implement a training program to ensure that all staff members understand their roles and responsibilities and create a system for documentation and record-keeping.

Step Four:  Provide training and education

All staff members involved in clinical trials must be appropriately trained and educated on the importance of quality and patient safety. This includes providing training on the quality management system, relevant regulations, and the importance of patient safety. Training is essential for ensuring that everyone has the knowledge and skills needed to carry out their roles effectively. Provide regular training sessions to ensure that everyone is up to date on the latest procedures and regulations.

Step Five:  Promote effective communication

Effective communication is essential to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and can communicate openly. The training sessions, regular meetings, and feedback mechanisms are required to encourage everyone involved in the research to provide feedback on the quality culture and any issues or opportunities for improvement. This will help to identify areas that need to be addressed and provide opportunities to enhance the quality of the culture in the workplace.

Step Six:  Encourage continuous improvement

Monitor and evaluate the quality management system to identify areas for improvement. It involves conducting internal audits, analyzing quality metrics, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to address any deficiencies and continuously improve the quality management system. Recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate a commitment to quality culture. This could be in the form of bonuses, promotions, or other incentives.

Step Seven:  Demonstrate leadership commitment

Leaders within the organization should model the desired behavior by following the established policies and procedures. This will help to reinforce the importance of quality culture and inspire others to do the same. Ensure that leaders are committed to establishing and maintaining a quality culture in the workplace. Demonstrate leadership commitment by promoting and supporting a culture of quality and patient safety, providing the necessary resources and support to implement and maintain the quality management system.

Conclusion

 Incorporating a quality culture in the workplace not only increases compliance but also increases public trust in research while also advancing the field of clinical research with positive patient outcomes. If your department is looking for ways to establish or  strengthen the quality culture in the workplace, Contact us! We’d love to hear from you to discuss strategies!

The Benefits of Establishing a Quality Culture In Clinical Operations

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Imagine this…you are recently hired as a Quality Associate to assist in improving inspection-readiness in the clinical operations department.  You immediately realize the following based on your observations:

  1. You are not formally introduced to the organization’s quality vision and values at your orientation session.
  2. Your mandatory training and development courses do not include or emphasize the importance of quality.
  3. The implementation of quality is rarely mentioned in the discussion of department metrics and goals.

These are warning signs of a weak quality culture within the department and minimal involvement of the quality assurance department in organization overall. 

Consequences of a weak quality culture

Quality culture in clinical research refers to an organizational mindset and set of practices that prioritize the quality and integrity of research data and the safety and well-being of study participants. Failure to establish a strong and robust quality culture in clinical research results in the following:

    • A greater risk of errors leading to serious adverse events or even death in extreme cases which can damage the reputation of the organization.

    • A trend of noncompliance with regulations which can produce poor quality data that hinders reliable conclusions from the research.

    • Poor quality control which may also result in delays and additional costs associated with correcting errors and addressing issues that arise during the research.

The benefits of establishing a quality culture

Establishing a quality culture in the workplace produces the desired clinical outcomes of clinical trials and also provides additional benefits such as:

    1. Assurance of patient safety – as clinical research involves human subjects who may be vulnerable and require protection from harm. A strong quality culture promotes adherence to strict ethical and regulatory standards, ensuring that the highest level of care and safety is provided to patients.

    1. Provision of high-quality data that is reliable and trustworthy -A quality culture ensures that data is collected, managed, and analyzed with accuracy and consistency, which enhances the credibility of the research and increases its value for future research and healthcare decision-making.

    1. Promotion of compliance to regulatory GCP requirements and standards – Compliance with these standards is necessary to gain approval for the research and to ensure that the results are acceptable for regulatory purposes.

    1. Protection of the organization’s reputation – Poor quality research can damage the reputation of the organization and undermine public trust in the research and healthcare industries.

    1. Cost reduction – Costs associated with correcting errors and addressing issues that arise during the research can be substantial. A quality culture ensures that issues are identified and addressed early on, minimizing the risk of costly mistakes and delays.

Conclusion

Establishing a quality culture promotes adherence to strict ethical and regulatory standards, ensures the collection and management of accurate and consistent data, and enhances the credibility of the research.. In addition, a quality culture helps to reduce the risk of costly mistakes and delays while protecting the organization’s reputation.  If your department is looking for ways to strengthen the quality culture in the workplace,  Contact us! We’d love to hear from you to discuss strategies!

How to have an Inspection-Ready Delegation of Authority Log

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The Delegation of Authority (DOA) log is a document that records the delegation of authority for various tasks and decisions related to the conduct of a clinical trial and constitutes a critical facet of clinical trial management of participating clinical sites.  The DOA log should include the names and titles of all the members of the clinical trial team with delegated authority, as well as their respective areas of responsibility. This includes the principal investigator, sub-investigators, clinical research coordinators, and other staff involved in the conduct of the trial.

Best Practices for DOA Maintenance

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date DOA logs is critical to ensure that the trial is conducted in compliance with applicable regulations, guidelines, and standard operating procedures. Best practices for maintaining DOA logs in clinical research are as follows:

Establish clear procedures for DOA log maintenance:

Having a clear set of procedures for maintaining DOA logs is essential for ensuring consistency and accuracy. These procedures should outline who is responsible for maintaining the logs, how often they should be updated, and what information should be included.

Ensure accuracy and completeness of the information:

It is important to ensure that all information recorded in the DOA log is accurate and complete. This includes ensuring that all individuals involved in the trial are listed and that their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.

Regularly review and update the DOA logs:

DOA logs should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that they remain accurate and up-to-date. This is particularly important when there are changes in personnel or when new responsibilities are assigned.

Train personnel on DOA log maintenance:

All personnel involved in the trial should be trained on the importance of maintaining accurate DOA logs and how to properly update them. This can help ensure that everyone involved in the trial understands their roles and responsibilities.

Monitor and audit DOA log maintenance:

Regular monitoring and auditing of DOA log maintenance can help ensure that procedures are being followed, information is accurate and complete, and personnel is properly trained. This can help identify and address any issues before they become more serious problems.

Conclusion

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date DOA logs is essential for effective clinical trial management at a clinical site. By following these best practices, you can help ensure that your DOA logs are accurate, complete, and secure, which can help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and effective trial administration.

The delegation of authority (DOA) log plays a pivotal role in ensuring the efficacious and efficient conduct of clinical trials, particularly in the context of complex medical interventions. By leveraging the DOA log, clinical trial stakeholders can achieve enhanced coordination, seamless communication, and optimal resource allocation, thereby increasing your site’s audit/inspection readiness and the likelihood of successful trial outcomes.

Need further guidance or training on DOA logs/regulatory documents and how to make them audit and

inspection-ready? Contact us! We’d love to hear from you to discuss strategies!

 

6 Steps to Creating SOPs for Quality and Compliance

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SOPs are crucial for ensuring compliance and conducting clinical trials. SOPs provide a standardized approach to clinical research processes, which is essential for maintaining consistency and quality across all study sites and participants. The lack of SOPs may result in several issues, such as inconsistent practices that result in disparities in data collection, analysis, and reporting, which may weaken the accuracy and dependability of the study outcomes.

Adhering to ethical and regulatory requirements in a research study can be challenging. Failure to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) in clinical research can result in reduced efficiency and waste of time and resources in trying to determine the optimal way to perform tasks.

Why SOPs are Important for Clinical Research?

SOPs are important to clinical research as they provide:

  1. Detailed guidelines for the implementation of GCP principles which ensure that clinical trials are conducted in conformity with the ethical considerations and scientific quality standards.
  2. A standardized and streamlined approach to study procedures reducing variability of study tasks while also increasing inspection readiness strategies.
  3. Increased assurance of the safety and well-being of study participants as alignment of procedures and ethical practices and are in place.

Steps to Creating Effective SOPs

Creating effective SOPs can be challenging, but a well-designed and executed SOP can save time and resources, improve the quality of research, and reduce the risk of errors.

1.     Establish the SOP development team

The first step in creating effective SOPs for clinical research is to establish an SOP development team. The team should consist of individuals with relevant expertise and experience, including clinical research professionals, study coordinators, regulatory experts, and other stakeholders. The team should be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the SOPs.

2.     Identify the process

The next step is to identify the process for which the SOP is being developed. It is important to clearly define the process and the scope of the SOP. The process should be well understood by the team, and it should be clearly defined in the SOP to avoid any confusion or misinterpretation.

3.     Conduct a process mapping exercise

A process mapping exercise is a useful tool for developing SOPs for clinical research. It involves visually mapping out the process and identifying the key steps, inputs, and outputs. This exercise helps to identify areas where the process can be streamlined or improved, and it ensures that all steps are accounted for in the SOP.

4.     Develop the SOP

The next step is to develop the SOP. The SOP should be written in a clear and concise manner, using simple language. The SOP should include the purpose of the process, the step-by-step instructions for executing the process, the roles and responsibilities of team members, and any relevant references or supporting documents. The SOP should also include a section for deviations and corrective actions.

5.     Review and approve

Once the SOP has been developed, it should be reviewed and approved by the appropriate stakeholders. This includes the SOP development team, the study sponsor, the regulatory authority, and any other relevant parties. Feedback should be incorporated into the SOP, and revisions should be made as necessary.

6.     Train and implement

Training and implementation of the SOP should be conducted by the SOP development team. The team should ensure that all relevant personnel are trained on the SOP, and that the SOP is implemented consistently and effectively. The team should also monitor the implementation of the SOP and make any necessary updates or revisions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating effective SOPs for clinical research is critical for ensuring regulatory compliance, data integrity, and risk management. By following these six steps, the development team can create an effective and efficient SOP that will benefit the research team and the quality of the research.

 

Preparing For Pharmacovigilance FDA Inspections

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The concept of pharmacovigilance—derived from the Greek and Latin ‘Pharmakon’ (medicinal substance) and Vigilia (to keep watch)—emerged in earnest among physicians and other health experts almost 200 years ago. Initially, the practice amounted primarily to letters and reports written by physicians on the safety and effectiveness of various drugs given to their patients.

Pharmacovigilance inspections (Good Pharmacovigilance Practices, GVP) are designed to assess compliance with the legally prescribed mandatory reporting of adverse drug reactions in clinical trials as well as spontaneous reports. 

The three (3) most common findings noted from FDA’s Post-marketing Adverse Drug Experience (PADE) inspections according to the Bioresearch Monitoring (BIMO) Fiscal Year 2021 Metrics  are:

  • Failure to develop written procedures for the surveillance, receipt, evaluation, and reporting of post-marketing adverse drug experiences
  • Late submission of 15-day Alert reports
  • Late submission of the annual safety report

This article will list ten (10) key areas or documentation to have ready for FDA in an upcoming GVP inspection.

What To Have Ready for an Inspection

  1. Written Procedures
    You must develop, maintain, and follow written procedures for the surveillance, receipt, evaluation, and reporting of post-marketing safety information. This includes procedures for managing safety information with contractors and business partners, as applicable.
  2. Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs)
    ICSRs describe one or more adverse experiences related to an individual patient or subject. A valid ICSR contains a suspect drug, an adverse experience, an identifiable patient, and an identifiable reporter.
  3. Scientific Literature Reports
    Regarding scientific literature reports, ensure that there is documented evidence of:
     Scientific literature reviews and the frequency of each review.
     Submission of expedited ICSRs for adverse experiences obtained from the published scientific and medical literature that are both serious and unexpected
    • Foreign Post-marketing Adverse Experience Reporting
      For participating affiliates, subsidiaries, contractors, and business partners outside the United States, ensure the following:
       There are written procedures that address the surveillance, receipt, evaluation, and reporting of adverse experiences.
       There is documented submission of serious and unlabeled (i.e., unexpected) adverse experiences to the FDA within 15 calendar days.
    • Solicited Safety Data
      Solicited safety data arises from organized data collection systems, which may include patient assistance programs, patient support programs, physician engagement programs, or any active solicitation of information from patients or providers, when contact between the sponsor company and the patient or provider is predictable in the context of a specific program.
    • Aggregate Safety Reports
      For each approved application or biologics license, FDA requires the submission of Periodic Reports, which describe safety information obtained during the reporting interval. The reporting interval is quarterly for the first three years following the approval of the application or license, and annually thereafter, unless FDA instructs the sponsor otherwise.
    • Contractor Oversight
      Oversight of outsourced services may include a broad range of activities to ensure that all outsourced services and activities associated with post-marketing safety are performed according to applicable FDA regulations.
    • Electronic Submissions
      Determine if safety report submissions are in an electronic format that FDA can process, review, and archive, as required.
    • Waivers
      Any post-marketing safety waivers from the regulatory requirements must follow applicable procedures and terms of the waiver.
    • Recordkeeping
      For approved drugs or biologics, ensure that all records containing information relating post-marketing safety reports (whether submitted to FDA) have been maintained for a period of 10 years, or for combination products, the longest retention period applicable.

    Conclusion

    Post-marketing safety data collection and adverse event reporting is a critical element of the Food and Drug Administration’s post-marketing safety surveillance program for FDA-regulated drug and therapeutic biologic products.  Incorporating the FDA requirements and guidance into your inspection readiness program contributes to the success of your GVP inspection.

    The Importance of Documenting and Reporting Adverse Events

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    One of the primary goals of every clinical trial is to evaluate an intervention’s safety and effectiveness to that of a control or other care. As a result, all studies expose participants to risk, and these are risks that may be similar to those they encounter in ordinary clinical practice in many circumstances. It is critical to document instances of injury or poor outcomes that occur during the study to ensure that both expected and unforeseen hazards are identified.

    Several phrases are frequently misconstrued as synonyms, including adverse events, adverse drug reactions, adverse effects, serious adverse events, serious adverse effects, side-effects, complications, and damages. When it comes to drug safety, though, both terms are often used interchangeably.

    The following are examples of adverse events (AEs):

    • A physiological occurrence, such as a rash.
    • A psychological occurrence, such as altered cognition.
    • An abnormality in the laboratory, such as a high creatinine level.
    • Increased severity of a pre-existing ailment, such as uncontrolled blood glucose levels

    Documenting and reporting adverse events; especially those events related to the study intervention helps in:

    1. Informing health authorities, clinical investigators, and others of new and important information about events that occur on a clinical trial
    2. Contributing to the summary of adverse experiences related to the development the drug, device or regimen toxicity profile

    Documenting Adverse Events

    All adverse occurrences must be recorded in the medical record of the patient. The study team must first grasp how AEs should be collected before documenting them. To avoid bias in AE collection, patients should not be questioned about specific occurrences that may be expected while on the trial.

    AEs should be reported or elicited from a person at each study visit in the following situations:

    • during open-ended inquiries
    • during examinations
    • during evaluations

    The collection of AE data begins when the study intervention (drug/procedure) is started. The AE data should be collected from the commencement of a placebo lead-in period or other observational period intended to establish the patient’s baseline status. The AEs should be observed until they resolve or stabilize. All AEs that necessitate interruption or termination of the study drug, or those that are present at the end of study treatment, must be followed up on.

    Reporting Adverse Events

    Clinical trials can be conducted in a single or multi-center setting. Multicenter studies include a larger number and a wider range of research participants, making it more difficult to track adverse events, and certain incomplete safety reports from these multi centers may reduce the overall understanding of the adverse event.

    The regulatory authorities must be able to analyze the safety information based on accurate documentation. The severity, study intervention relationship, action taken about the study intervention, adverse event outcomes, and if it was serious should all be documented.

    All observed adverse events, as well as all adverse events reported by study participants, must be documented by the investigator. Regardless of the seriousness of the information presented, it should be recorded and reported. This data is saved in the safety database for the medicine or device under evaluation.

    Conclusion

    Each adverse event must be understood, as well as its relevance and significance to the drug or device being tested. Patient safety is increased as a result of the recording and reporting of these incidents.

    Need inspection readiness assistance in your safety department or specialized training in the area of adverse events? Contact us! We’d love to hear from you to discuss strategies!

     

    References

    ClinicalTrails.gov. ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2022, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/help/adverse_events_desc#:~:text=Adverse%20Events%20are%20unfavorable%20changes,specified%20period%20following%20the%20trial.

    MB;, G. R. E. D. N. A. L. (2014). Registries for evaluating patient outcomes: A user’s guide [internet]. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved June 11, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24945055/

    What are ‘adverse events’ and why is it necessary to record and report them? students 4 best evidence tutorials and fundamentals. Students 4 Best Evidence. (2021, March 26). Retrieved June 11, 2022, from https://s4be.cochrane.org/blog/2021/03/26/what-are-adverse-events-and-why-is-it-necessary-to-record-and-report-them/

     

    3 Ways to Close the Diversity Gap in Clinical Trials

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    The selection of the appropriate research participants is critical to the success of any clinical trial. Regrettably, the majority of clinical trials done are severely lacking in diversity. All too frequently, cultural and genetic factors unique to Asians, African-Americans, Latino-Americans, and other ethnic communities can contribute to differences in treatment responses and risks of adverse events.

    Inadequate clinical trial representations of all populations can therefore leave underrepresented groups vulnerable due to the lack of subgroup-specific data. This disparity in diversity can lead to poor drug development and increase minority health inequities; however, there are ways to close this diversity gap.

    Three Ways to Close the Diversity Gap

    1. Educate Staff About Importance of Diversity in Trials

    The importance of diversity in clinical trials guarantees that they are being conducted properly and strategically. It’s important to learn more about the significant unmet needs of patients who could benefit from a therapy or medicine. If we know, for example, that a health problem would affect a diverse patient community in terms of “race” and ethnicity, we should plan ahead of time to ensure that those patients are equally included in the recruiting and selection process.

    2. Build Partnerships

    Engaging patients is a mission in which we are not only collaborating with various groups, advocacy organizations, and patients, but also building a method in which patients feel like they are a part of our scientific study from start to finish. A clinical researcher’s job entails analyzing real-world and secondary data  to better understand disease and treatment trends, track patients’ healthcare journeys, and find strategies to demonstrate its worth in improving health outcomes. The idea is to have a varied group of people at the table in order to come up with solid and relevant solutions.

    You learn to value patient, advocate, and expert collaboration. You will learn how to form relationships and engage in discourse from a variety of viewpoints. So that when it comes to performing research at various stages of the drug development process, you already have those partnerships in place and can use them to improve your knowledge and influence.

    3. Start at a Micro-Level

    Using more community-based routes that are congruent with how people may be familiar with acquiring information, such as barber shops, beauty parlors, or community centers, to contact and deliver information to possible study volunteers is an important tactic. Non-traditional outreach tactics not only help create valued relationships, it also provides essential information about the concerns of the community as it relates to participation in clinical trials.  Many in the community have difficulty participating in trials because of the historic and unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study so of course, building trust in these communities is an important factor as well.

    Conclusion

    Minority involvement in clinical trials should be a primary focus for the entire health-care system. Participating in the aforementioned measures will help us develop medications more effectively, reduce minority health disparities, and improve overall public health. However, in order to reduce the diversity gap, more businesses and government agencies must support programs like these and be more empathic to the concerns of the minority communities.

     

    References

    Barron, D. (2015). Bridging the diversity gap in clinical trials: Reuters events: Pharma. Bridging the Diversity Gap in Clinical Trials | Reuters Events | Pharma. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from https://www.reutersevents.com/pharma/clinical/bridging-diversity-gap-clinical-trials

    Bodicoat, D. H., Routen, A. C., Willis, A., Ekezie, W., Gillies, C., Lawson, C., Yates, T., Zaccardi, F., Davies, M. J., & Khunti, K. (2021). Promoting inclusion in clinical trials—a rapid review of the literature and Recommendations for action. Trials, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05849-7

    Buckman, P. (2022, May 11). Council post: Bridging the gap: Why clinical trials have a diversity problem and how to fix it. Forbes. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2022/05/10/bridging-the-gap-why-clinical-trials-have-a-diversity-problem-and-how-to-fix-it/?sh=2b074b4a5078

    Janssen Oncology. (2021, December 16). Working together to close the diversity gap in clinical trials: Industry and researcher perspectives. STAT. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from https://www.statnews.com/sponsor/2021/12/06/working-together-to-close-the-diversity-gap-in-clinical-trials-industry-and-researcher-perspectives/

    5 Reasons Why QA Is Essential in Clinical Trials

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    The coordinated and impartial review of all clinical trial-related activities and records is known as quality assurance. In the case of a clinical study, the quality assurance department has a wide range of responsibilities. Quality Assurance (QA) departments frequently aid in inspection readiness by establishing investigator site selection guidelines and identifying service providers to be audited, such as laboratories, packaging and supply chain vendors.

    The Ongoing Challenge

    The continuous monitoring of data collection processes and data management policies at every level of the study is an ongoing challenge in managing the quality of clinical data and maintaining compliance. This includes the following:

    • verifying that the data collected during the trial is consistent with the procedure (case report form [CRF] vs. protocol)
    • ensuring the validity of the data in the CRF and data acquired in source documents (CRF vs. source documents)
    • guaranteeing that the analyzed data correspond to the CRF data (database vs. CRF)

    This confirms the need for QA involvement in clinical trials specifically in terms of inspection readiness.

    Reasons Why Quality Assurance (QA) is essential

    1. Time Saver

    While continuous monitoring during a clinical trial is a taxing task, it can save you from wasting hundreds of hours rectifying shortcomings within the trials at a later stage. Errors recognized in their initial stages are easier to modify to achieve desired outcomes. Whereas, delays can worsen the problem in clinical trials and inevitably push back the desired result, which can hinder the inspection readiness process.

    1. Money Saver

    While many believe that investing in quality assurance from the get-go is not only time-consuming and costly, it is quite the opposite. Errors during the trial stage lead to millions of dollars lost during the production stage and major delays in inspection readiness, which can further add to the cost. Sometimes dropping the trial before entering the production stage due to a lack of quality assurance become inevitable.

    1. Boosts Client Confidence

    Businesses that are known to ensure quality assurance are more likely to retain trust and confidence from clients and customers alike. During clinical trials, clients are more likely to follow the lead and trust the process when their standards of expectations align with the trials working. When boosting clients’ confidence, it is essential to highlight both the “whats” and “hows” of the trial, and quality assurance helps deliver the “hows” of the trial to keep your clients’ mind at ease.

    1. The Backbone of Consistency

    When it comes to clinical trials, it is of utmost importance that each drug produced be of the same quality to prevent ill-desired outcomes. In clinical research, the quality assurance process ensures internal consistency by scheduling regular operational checks at each level of the trial process and data collection processing to validate trial procedure compliance and data validity.

    1. Leads to Accountability

    When quality assurance is the working foundation of a clinical trial, each individual involved plays a vital role in ensuring that they deliver top-notch results in making the trial a success. Hence, the need for excellence permeates every aspect of a company in which quality assurance is at play.

    Conclusion

    Maintaining integrity and precision during a clinical trial is an ongoing, dynamic process that is the key to inspection readiness. This continuing process necessitates modifying processes and effectively conveying these adjustments to all investigators and support staff. This is why quality assurance involvement is essential and a key component to the clinical Quality Management System (cQMS) overall.

    Need to strengthen or supplement your QA component? Contact us for a free consultation! We would love to hear from you to discuss strategies!

     

    References

    • BROWN, C., 2019. Price Check: How to Cut Costs in Clinical Trials. [online] Anjusoftware.com. Available at: <https://www.anjusoftware.com/about/all-news/insights/cut-costs-clinical-trials> [Accessed 8 April 2022].
    • JLI Blog | Global Training & Education Provider. 2018. Quality Control and Quality Assurance in Clinical Trial | James Lind Blog. [online] Available at: <https://www.jliedu.com/blog/clinical-trial-quality-control-assurance/#:~:text=In%20clinical%20research%2C%20quality%20control,and%20reliability%20of%20the%20data.> [Accessed 8 April 2022].
    • Manghani, K., 2011. Quality assurance: Importance of systems and standard operating procedures. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 2(1), p.34.
    • Parashar, P., 1995. Patient Satisfaction – A valid tool of quality assurance (C. Q. I). J Family Community Med, 2(2), pp.7-8.
    • The Important Site. 2022. 10 Reasons Why Quality Assurance Is Important – The Important Site. [online] Available at: <https://theimportantsite.com/10-reasons-why-quality-assurance-is-important/#:~:text=Quality%20assurance%20is%20a%20process%20all%20organizations%20should,who%20could%20be%20with%20the%20company%20or%20independent.> [Accessed 8 April 2022].
    • Valania, M., 2006. Quality Control and Assurance in Clinical Research. [online] Applied Clinical Trials Online. Available at: <https://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/view/quality-control-and-assurance-clinical-research> [Accessed 8 April 2022].
    • WCG Avoca. n.d. Inspection Readiness: What is it and how do we get there?. [online] Available at: <https://www.theavocagroup.com/inspection-readiness-what-is-it-and-how-do-we-get-there/> [Accessed 8 April 2022].

    How Changes in ICH E6 (R3) Guidelines are Changing the Future of Clinical Trials

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    ICH E6 (R3) Guidelines for Good Clinical Practices (GCP) have been a work in progress to put forward changes to the previous R2 version.  The overall purpose is to revise principles that account for ethical trial conduct, participant safety, and clinical trial outcomes that may be reliable. The ICH E6 R2 Guidelines for GCP consists of three key components:

    1. The overarching principle that will apply across the board
    2. Annex 1
    3. Annex 2

    Annex 1 currently reflects the principles in E6 (R2), with necessary updates and modifications. While Annex 2 contains additional information that should be considered in the case of non-traditional interventional clinical studies that are not included in Annex 1.

    Besides Annexes 1 and 2, the modifications in R3 consist of 12 major principles.  These 12 principles heavily focus on conducting clinical trials based on ethical principles, designing and conducting research that ensures patient rights, safety, and well-being.

    Moreover, the principles highlight the need to acquire informed consent where participants are aware of all the trials. Subjecting the clinical trial to an objective review is another critical principle, along with ensuring that all trials adhere to the requirements based on the latest scientific knowledge.

    Additionally, the principles highlight the importance of conducting the trial by an expert within the field and the necessity to include it in the scientific and operational design and execution of clinical trials. There is also an emphasis on designing the trial so that it’s comparative to patient risk and trial results while also ensuring that it’s clear and concise.

    R2 vs. R3 What is The Difference?

    R2

    R3

    Risk-based approach – The focus of E6 (R2) was on a balanced, risk-based approach to clinical trial design and execution.

    Risk-based approach -ICH E6 R3 is intended to promote this notion while also encouraging interested parties to incorporate this approach.

    Technology – E6 (R2) isn’t entirely equipped to deal with new technology.

    Technology – The rising usage of electronic data sources and risk management procedures is addressed in E6 (R3).

    Principle/Annex – R2 consisted of the overarching principle and annex 1.

    Principle/Annex – R3 has revised the overarching principle and annex 1. Moreover, there is an addition of annex 2.

    Is Clinical Research Industry Going to Face New Challenges?

    Any change can bring about challenges; however, the gravity of the challenges depends on the quality design of the trial(s) currently in place. There is an evident need to ensure the reliability of clinical trial results. Without this, all the resources used to accomplish the findings would result in a loss of millions of dollars. This is precisely why the ICH E6 R3 has emphasized using Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) and Risk-Based Monitoring (RBM).

    Many of the methods and technologies that researchers are already using in clinical trials will be simplified by the new ICH advice, especially when it comes to risk-based monitoring (RBM). The industry may anticipate guidelines on remote evaluation and observation, as well as a technical design that is flexible enough to accommodate both existing platforms and future developments, assuring trial integrity while removing the effort of confirming non-critical evidence.

    Conclusion

    Although many clinical researchers have yet to get accustomed to the ICH E6 R3 or implement it, the clinical importance of applying these guidelines will streamline research and produce more accurate and reliable results. Moreover, ICH E6 R3 will ensure inspection readiness ensuring no hindrance to clinical trials, which is why immediate implementation of ICH E6R3 guidelines are truly beneficial.

    The process of building quality into the design of a trial can be arduous without the sound quality management system (QMS) in place.  Don’t have the time to ensure your system has the quality that exceeds compliance to the ICH E6 R3 standards?  Contact us and let us help you implement compliance strategies and a streamlined process for your QMS prior to the rollout! 

     

    References

    CITI Program. 2021. ICH Releases Draft Principles for GCP | CITI Program. [online] Available at: <https://about.citiprogram.org/blog/ich-releases-draft-principles-for-gcp/> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

    ICH, 2019. Final Business Plan ICH E6(R3): Guideline for Good Clinical Practice. [online] Available at: <https://database.ich.org/sites/default/files/E6-R3_FinalBusinessPlan_2019_1117.pdf> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

    ICH, 2021. ICH-E6 Good Clinical Practice (GCP). [online] Available at: <https://database.ich.org/sites/default/files/ICH_E6-R3_GCP-Principles_Draft_2021_0419.pdf> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

    Mauri, K., 2021. Rewriting the Rules: How to Prepare for ICH E6 (R3). Pharmaceutical Outsourcing, [online] Available at: <https://www.pharmoutsourcing.com/Featured-Articles/579132-Rewriting-the-Rules-How-to-Prepare-for-ICH-E6-R3/> [Accessed 15 March 2022].

    MY EXPERIENCE AS AN FDA INVESTIGATOR

    by

    I have been asked so many questions about my FDA career and what it was like working with the FDA.  I thought it would be best to write about my experience in an interview-based article according to the most frequently asked questions.

     How were you introduced to the FDA?

    I was introduced to the FDA in my last year of college at Rutgers University.  As I was prepared for graduation and entering the workforce, I also attended as many job fairs as possible. I thought that submitting my resume to as many companies possible would increase my chances of getting hired after graduation.  Of all the numerous job fairs I attended, FDA was only present at one of them.   I met the FDA representative, who was also the District Director, had a great conversation with her and handed her my resume which was added to the stack of resumes from hundreds of other candidates.

    How did you get hired to work for the FDA?

    Getting hired to work for the FDA was not easy.  After graduation, I was determined to have a career relative to biology or similar scientific field and the FDA was one of top companies I wanted to work for.  I was very persistent in having my name and resume stand out from the others.  For months, I called the District Director every other day to check in and see if she reviewed my resume.   My persistence paid off.  A couple of months later, I finally received a call from the district office to come in for a face-to-face interview.

    What was the hiring process like?

    The hiring process was pretty rigorous.  The interview was a few hours long.  It included an overview of FDA and discussion about me and my experience (although very limited as a college grad). It also included a long list of case-based scenarios along with questions on how I would handle each case.  The purpose of these questions was to test my moral character, sound judgement and ability to protect confidential information. 

    After being considered a potential candidate, I moved on to the next phase where there was the typical drug test, credit check and a detailed background check.  The background check not only included a criminal history check but a thorough investigation on me as person.  Not only were my past and current employers contacted and visited, but all of my neighbors from my current and past addresses as well!  

    What was a typical day in the life of an FDA Investigator?

    A day in the life of an FDA Investigator primarily involves preparing for and conducting inspections according to your specialty (Pharmaceuticals, Devices, Foods, Biologics).

    Inspections can be as short as a few hours or as long as a few weeks depending on the size of the firm and complexity of the inspection.  Other tasks include handling and investigating customer complaints and recalls in addition to attending meetings and continuous training sessions. Overall, the job entails a lot of travel, but the majority of it is local. 

    What’s the difference between FDA investigator and Inspector?

    FDA Investigators (or Consumer Safety Officer -CSOs) differs from FDA Inspectors (or Consumer Safety Inspectors- CSI) in that Investigator positions requires a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree (usually in science or engineering) whereas the CSI position does not.

    In addition, the role and responsibilities of an Investigator and Inspector are different.  Investigators are responsible for conducting domestic & international inspections and investigations in the areas of food/imports, pharmaceutical, biologic, BIMO and medical device; whereas Inspectors are responsible for performing import work which includes physically inspecting imported products in the aforementioned areas.   GCP/BIMO inspections, will always be conducted by an FDA Investigator.

    Why did you leave the FDA?

    Leaving the FDA and my colleagues was bittersweet.  I enjoyed working at the FDA but compensation was low (GS-5 which is $25K a year) as is expected for a government position.  At the time, there were so many opportunities in the industry looking for someone with my experience paying 2-3x as much, I could not say no.  I was curious to see what the industry had to offer.

    Any regrets leaving the FDA?

    Initially, I had regrets and wanted to kick myself for leaving, but as I started working in the industry and gaining more experience with CROs, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, my regrets started to dissipate.  I realized how valuable it was to work on “the other side” as it only diversified and enhanced my knowledge and experience.  If anything, continuing to work with the FDA would have limited me from seeing and understanding both perspectives.  Having the experience of seeing both sides (industry vs FDA) is truly priceless.

    Have more questions? Feel free to contact me at info@2kclinicalconsulting.com

    Our Mission and Purpose

    The mission of 2K Clinical Consulting, Inc. is to ease the burden of GxP compliance and to transform the effectiveness of professionals and compliance systems worldwide.

    Our History

    2K Clinical Consulting, Inc. is the vision of former FDA Investigator, Kimberly Kiner, who empathized with facilities and sites that struggled with understanding and complying with regulations. After years in the field, Kimberly transitioned into the private sector and acquired international experience in compliance, monitoring and study management while she worked for pharmaceutical and invitro/medical device companies as well as CROs. This work experience is what sparked her desire to work as a consultant for organizations such as the Association for Clinical Research Professionals and the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Kimberly later went on to train providers such as Compliance Online and Fx Conferences. This exposure became the gateway to connecting with other experts and teaching professionals resulting in an engaging experience for clients that closes the gap in best practices within the realm of compliance.