Pharma companies turning to remote patient monitoring for clinical trials amid COVID-19, finds survey

The COVID-19 outbreak and resulting restrictions have created several challenges for clinical trial programmes by pharmaceutical companies.

GlobalData has conducted a survey to identify how companies are addressing the disruptions amid the pandemic.

Findings of the survey reveal that a majority 17% of the companies have turned to remote monitoring of the patients and are using portals, phones and email for oversight.

Addressing clinical trial disruptions due to COVID-19 outbreak

Decentralised/virtual clinical trials are being planned for future programmes by approximately 15% of the respondents, while 14% are adopting remote site initiation visits for critical trials.

Furthermore, 13% of the surveyed companies mandated their research staff to work remotely, while 11% have resorted to direct-to-patient (DTP) drug delivery.

The survey also found that 9% of the respondents suspended screening and/or enrolment for all clinical trials, while 7% prioritised enrolment for certain trial programmes and another 7% implemented remote safety lab collections.

Additionally, 7% of the total companies surveyed have stopped opening any new clinical trial programmes due to the pandemic situation.

The analysis is based on responses received from the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Clinical Trials survey conducted by GlobalData between 04 June and 22 June 2020.