By: Sherry Reuter
A January. 5, 2012 report from CenterWatch cautions that over the last 5 years, the number of study sites has decreased, with the loss of veteran PIs most sharply in decline. Specifically:
- The proportion of most active PIs (those who conduct at least 2 clinical trials / year) has decreased from 29% to 23% during the past 5 years
- Experienced sites, which have the most developed infrastructure for conducting clinical trials, but also high fixed costs, are finding it difficult to stay in business
- Contributing factors include the “global economic downturn and a 40% drop in clinical trials initiated since 2008” which have made it more difficult for sites to manage the business of conducting in clinical trials
- “Complex protocols, flat study budgets, an onerous regulatory compliance burden and more intense competition for studies also have led some of the most active PIs to rethink their level of participation in clinical research.”
http://www.centerwatch.com/press/pr-2012-01-05.htm
We see reasons that study sites are struggling, cannot stay out of the red and why a significant number of them are deciding to close their doors.
How will this trend affect sponsors, other stakeholders in the business of clinical research and the provision of new products to the public if it continues? And what could / should be done about it?
Comments from study sites, sponsors and other partners involved in the clinical research process are welcome.
About the Author:
Sherry Reuter is President of Sherry Reuter & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm that focuses on the conduct of clinical trials, Site Selection, Study Start Up, Training, and Patient Recruitment and Retention. Sherry may be contacted at sreuter@gwu.edu or 203.775.6031.
Feature image: Renjith Krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
