Transitioning from a Risk-Based Monitoring Approach to Risk-Based Quality Management

One of the most significant positive changes we have seen recently is the endorsement of ICH (E6 R2) which insists that sponsors and CROs adopt a risk-based approach to study execution. This paradigm shift in the industry ensures that sponsors undertake risk assessment during pre-study start-up, implement risk controls and take corrective action during study conduct, and keep a full, auditable log of everything that has been done, by who, when, and why. What started as an initiative called Risk-Based Monitoring several years ago is now evolving into Risk-Based Quality Management of clinical trials with a much wider impact to the pharma industry.

RBQM drivers

• Regulatory changes have impacted the industry forcing organizations to re-examine the mechanisms for maximizing clinical trial data quality.

• The way in which organizations are structuring themselves is changing.

• Pharma organizations are responsible for the quality of data collected through clinical trial execution even when outsourced to a CRO.

• Clinical data is now collected from increasing numbers of data sources.

What does Risk-Based Everything (RBX) offer?

As the industry moves to implement Risk-Based Everything (RBX)-a more holistic risk-based approach to quality management-targeted risk management offers the following benefits:

• Data surveillance exposes issues sooner, with associated communication mechanisms allowing all stakeholders to manage perceived and actual issues to a documented resolution

• Progress new drugs sooner through development and approval then onto the market with the minimum of operational delays (at least 25% of new drug submissions fail first cycle review due to data quality issues)

• Enables sponsors to comply with guidance including giving complete oversight of partners

Technology is making it simpler to collect pre- or post-marketing clinical data utilizing apps, sensors, wearables, and the ever burgeoning Internet of Things. Today it’s easy to generate data on an unprecedented scale that could be valuable in bringing a new drug to market or allow better targeting and utilization for an existing one. While experts predict a long road ahead and many challenges before pharma evolves from solely being drug providers to being part of the patient solution in collaboration with other stakeholders, a proactive attitude is the only way forward. Integrating RBX software into clinical trials will enable sponsors and CROs to achieve positive results in terms of significant cost and efficiency savings, as well as giving piece of mind that the data is accurate and conforms to industry regulations.

What can we do now?

A faster adoption of ICH E6 (R2) is needed to ensure compliance with the new regulations and drive much greater efficiency into the clinical trials process. We firmly believe that the comprehensive and independent interrogation of all data using a statistically-driven approach will be a component of every clinical trial in the next three years.

In today’s multifaceted healthcare arena, connectivity, collaboration, and cross-functional working has never been more important. This is especially true when it comes to stakeholders. The fundamental goal must always be putting the patient first and the responsibility lies with everyone involved in the industry, including physicians, payers, providers, policy makers, partners, regulators, and shareholders. How can this be achieved? Those responsible for the delivery of quality in clinical trial execution and the collection of the highest quality data to support development need unified technology solutions that can provide clarity to the management and minimization of risk.

Patrick Hughes is Chief Commercial Officer at CluePoints