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Partnering to Drive Quality in Clinical Research

Clinical Quality Experience Questions to Ask eCOA and IRT Technology Providers  

  1. Do you deeply understand evolving requirements from global regulatory authorities? 
    Staying abreast of evolving regulatory requirements like the E6(R3) Guideline is crucial for successful clinical research. The right technology partner will have a deep understanding of regulatory landscapes, including the evolving requirements set forth by bodies like the FDA and other global health authorities. With this expertise, clinical trial sponsors can be confident that the study adheres to applicable regulations—mitigating risks associated with non-compliance. 
  2. How do you mitigate delays once the trial starts?  
    Study delays and timeline pressures—pervasive in clinical trial management—are the number one concern for 62% of clinical trial executives, as indicated in a YPrime eCOA survey.1 Unexpected issues like regulatory hurdles or data queries can arise. Evaluate how the vendor handles challenges to ensure your study stays on track. 
  3. Are you confident you can meet my timelines? 
    Time is of the essence in clinical trials. Does your eCOA or IRT vendor clearly understand your specific timelines and commit to working collaboratively to achieve them? Ensuring alignment with your project’s timeline requirements is key to success. Your partner should demonstrate a proactive approach to meeting deadlines, including clear communication channels and contingency plans for potential delays. 
  4. How do you minimize resource drain? 
    With the average cost for a new drug over $1-2 billion and the average time to bring a new drug to market over 10-15 years2, efficient workflows are crucial to minimizing resource drain and delays in clinical trials. This involves streamlining processes with features such as automated data capture—to reduce manual entry errors—and built-in validation checks that drive data accuracy in real-time. A user-friendly interface enhances efficiency, reducing human error and driving smoother operations throughout the trial lifecycle. 
  5. Do you offer comprehensive training programs for your project study staff? 
    A commitment to quality involves seamless communication between all stakeholders. Do you offer comprehensive training programs to equip project staff with the knowledge and skills necessary for success? Training programs should cover all aspects of technology and best practices for clinical research data collection and CAPA resolution. Investing in staff education ensures that your team is proficient in utilizing the technology effectively—identifying problems from the onset and contributing to the trial’s success. 
  6. Do you have a proven track record of ensuring study compliance? 
    High-quality innovation must leverage history. Look for a provider with a history of successfully guiding studies through the regulatory process and navigating the complexities of global regulatory bodies. Their compliance expertise should reduce delays and mitigate potential roadblocks associated with non-compliance, enabling your research to stay on track from inception to completion. A provider with a demonstrated history of study compliance will also proactively forecast strategies to address regulatory challenges, enhancing efficiency.  

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