How Choosing The Right Partner Can Keep Your Trial On Track And You Out Of Jail

The success of a clinical trial relies on the integrity of the sponsors, vendors and other key decision-makers. While it would be nice to assume that all players uphold moral standards- particularly in an industry where the wellbeing of human subjects and cures for life-threatening ailments are at stake – unfortunately, that isn’t always realistic.  

Case in point, the Department of Justice’s recent sentencing of two Florida-based CRO study coordinators to more than two years of prison each. According to EndPointsNews, the accused:

“entered false information in the case histories of subjects to make it appear as if the subjects were eligible for a trial, or they recruited patients into trials who were not eligible, and obtained personally identifiable information from third parties to enroll patients without their knowledge or consent…Three others affiliated with Tellus have previously pled guilty and are currently in prison after the scheme was uncovered.”

Unfortunately, this anecdote isn’t an isolated event. Over the last few years, there have been similar stories globally.