Applied Clinical Trials-02-01-2005

Concerns over risky medicines are shutting down clinical studies and boosting demand for comparative drug analysis.

Writing computer code isn?t as difficult as you might think.

Because it can take time to obtain independent EC or review board approval, the temptation to start a study without it can become strong.

Readers respond to articles and commentaries.

In the biomedical research industry, and at Pfizer in particular, we are committed to what we call "The Three As"-making medicines available, accessible, and affordable.

Industry?s proposal for a shared database has merit, but is it ?too little too late??

If the activity is a significant risk device study, surgeons must first obtain FDA and IRB approval.

Perhaps a way forward is to refocus our efforts on a "culture of conscience," since our conscience often guides our actions.

Our training places heavy emphasis on site selection: The entire study may suffer if sites are chosen poorly.

A new database design is behind a way of generating reports when you want them--such as right now

Most pharmaceutical companies place a high priority on reducing their costs to offset pressure on profit margins. They also struggle to accelerate the development of profitable new drugs: Based on drug sale statistics, pharmaceutical companies lose substantial revenue each day a new drug is delayed from reaching the market.