Contract work for clinical trials on the upswing

The Pharma Times reported yesterday that 84% of respondents claimed that they'd be interested in contract work when it comes to clinical trials.

While the perceived benefits of contracting – better remuneration, independence and flexible working – were offset in the survey by inhibitions about job security and loss of company benefits, 55% of the respondents recognised there was an increasing shift towards contract-based employment in the sector, with more than 20% seeing it as the prevailing dynamic.

For the complete article, read here.

Microdosing could be a win/win for pharma, CROs

According to Peter Mansell of Pharma Times, a new study by Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of Opportunities in the CRO Market – Phase 0, notes the increasing acceptance of microdosing and suggests it may be the antidote to industry’s much-discussed problems with drug productivity. Consolidation among CROs has raised concerns about quality of service and attention to detail in the sector, Frost & Sullivan points out. Mansell points out that companies need to ensure these elements are in place if they are to maintain their bargaining power with the pharmaceutical industry. For more information on the study or Peter Mansell's thoughts, check out the original article, here.

ethica Clinical Research expands to South America

According to Pharma Times, The Canadian Clinical Research outsourcer, ethica, will be expanding operations to Buenos Aires, Argentina. They'll be partnering with Blanchard y Asociados, who is headquartered in Buenos Aires. They'll be expanding their human research protection program in to this section of the world.

Dr. Janice Parente, the founder and president of ethica has this to say about their expansion:

"While clinical research has globalised and nearly half of the world’s clinical trials are now being conducted outside of North America and Western Europe, there is a need to develop a global approach to the oversight of research on humans. We are proud to be playing a pivotal role toward achieving this goal.”