{"id":521,"date":"2020-02-26T19:56:53","date_gmt":"2020-02-26T19:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pharmity.com\/?p=521"},"modified":"2024-11-04T11:57:45","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T11:57:45","slug":"why-you-should-be-qualified-to-conduct-clinical-trials-as-per-ich-gcp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pharmity.com\/why-you-should-be-qualified-to-conduct-clinical-trials-as-per-ich-gcp\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Be Qualified to Conduct Clinical Trials as per ICH GCP"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
As GCP auditors we keep on facing the same GCP non-compliances when conducting investigator site audits and hosting regulatory inspections due to the sites staff, and also clinical operations personnel overseeing sites, lack of understanding of the seriousness of the procedures they must follow and the impact of their actions on the quality and integrity of the study data.<\/p>\r\n
We wonder so many times, \u201cwhy was this site selected when it is so obvious, they do not have the adequate resources?\u201d, especially when we have to deal with critical observations and\/or serious breaches.<\/p>\r\n
ICH GCP states crystal clear that all staff involved in clinical trials need to be qualified by education, training and experience:<\/p>\r\n
ICH GCP Section 4.1 \u201cInvestigator\u00b4s Qualifications and Agreements\u201d reinforces that before undertaking a clinical trial, it is key to ensure that appropriate qualified staff are available to conduct the trial.<\/p>\r\n
The Principal Investigators (PI) have the responsibility to first verify and confirm that their team members are qualified and trained to discharge their roles in the study, and that their qualifications are documented.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
ICH GCP Section 5.6.1 \u201cInvestigator Selection\u201d specifies that the sponsor is responsible for selecting the investigator(s)\/institution(s). Each investigator should be qualified by training and experience and should have adequate resources to properly conduct the trial for which the investigator is selected.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
This article clarifies what “to be qualified” means and what are the training expectations for investigators and research site personnel.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Being qualified requires a combination of education, training and experience.<\/p>\r\n
The education needed for staff working in clinical trials may vary significantly. For example, a laboratory technician may not require a degree if they are only processing samples but may require specific scientific education when performing complex study analyses.<\/p>\r\n
The experience of staff working in clinical trials will also vary noticeably, from a new starter to a very experienced staff member.<\/p>\r\n
The training received should be tailored to the roles and responsibilities being undertaken by an individual<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n It is also important to keep their training up to date since the regulations, SOPs, tools used, science, medicine, and multiple other factors can change over the course of a trial.<\/p>\r\n What level of GCP training is necessary?<\/p>\r\n GCP training supports clinical development of new medicinal drugs by ensuring that site staff:<\/p>\r\n Are educated in the basics of ethical research<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n Understand their roles and responsibilities<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n Conduct their trial related tasks in accordance with regulatory requirements<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n Safeguard the quality, accuracy, and credibility of the data<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n No person shall conduct a trial otherwise than in accordance with the principles of GCP. Therefore, each person in a clinical trial must receive some training in GCP commensurate with their roles and responsibilities within the trial.<\/p>\r\n What other type of regulatory training is expected?<\/p>\r\n The training must not be restricted to training in the local country clinical trial regulations but should also include, as appropriate, training in other available guidance relating to clinical trials (for example, EudraLex Volume 10 or GMP Annex 13 Good Manufacturing Practices for Investigational Medicinal Products training<\/em>).<\/p>\r\n Frequency of GCP\/ Regulatory Training?<\/p>\r\n The frequency of GCP and regulatory training is not specified in the regulations; however, it is recommended that training is given at intervals appropriate to ensure staff maintain awareness of GCP requirements, the current country regulations and other applicable regional guidelines. How often this training is repeated is a business decision for the organization\/institution concerned. Requirements for the frequency of GCP training should be documented.<\/p>\r\n Do not forget that training should also be provided in the event that there are significant regulatory updates between scheduled training events.<\/p>\r\n It is also important to provide a refresher training where, for example, staff have been on extended leave.<\/p>\r\nThe training should cover:<\/h2>\r\n
1. GCP Training<\/h3>\r\n
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