EPM speaks to Alex Guite, vice president of Services and Alliances at World Courier about the impact Covid-19 has had on the clinical trials sector and how a direct-to-patient approach can help trials continue.
Covid-19
EPM: What’s the impact been for clinical trials due to Covid-19?
Guite: Clinical trials have been disrupted worldwide with significant impact to the patients who rely on them, as a result of Covid-19. Manufacturers face patient safety risks, regulatory restrictions, funding issues, and logistical challenges associated with getting treatment to patients in this new context. In fact, a recent Association of Clinical Research Professionals study found that nearly 80% of clinical research study sites indicated at least one of their current trials had been put on hold or cancelled in recent weeks, which was something we are observing first-hand. These delays are a concern for trial participants, and the impact will be felt across entire rare or orphan disease populations. As a result, World Courier has been working to transition applicable clinical trials to a Direct-to-Patient model that allows the studies to continue while still protecting product integrity, minimising disruption to the treatment regime and, most importantly, assuring patient safety.