A new trade organisation launched at an annual conference in the US aims to provide clinical research sites worldwide with a voice of their own within the overall clinical research sector.
The Society for Clinical Research Sites, which was unveiled at the recent 7th Annual Site Solutions Summit in Florida, is the brainchild of its president Christine Pierre.
She is also founder of the Site Solutions Summit as well as founder, president and chief executive officer of RxTrials, a Maryland-based investigative site network.
While sites play a significant role in the clinical-trial process, “for too long, they have been the silent partner in the research enterprise”, Pierre argues, adding: “Now is the time for sites to become active partners in the dialogues and solutions through the voice of SCRS”.
The aim is establish a trade organisation whose member companies will “foster collegiality and appropriate sharing of information and insights”, the SCRS explains.
The Society will represent its members by:
• Serving as an advocate for clinical-research sites by voicing and disseminating their position on critical issues related to clinical research; educating other stakeholders on these stances; and maintaining dialogue with other groups and organisations to ensure the sites’ perspective is taken into account.
• Promoting opportunities for the investigative site community to connect with, and learn from, fellow sites and other critical stakeholders across the clinical research industry.
• Educating and mentoring sites to ensure success and a continued legacy of excellence in the field.
Any company involved in clinical research may join SCRS. Membership is open to individual clinical research sites, site networks, and companies that sponsor or support the work conducted at sites.
In keeping with this inclusive remit, SCRS’ inaugural Leadership Council includes representatives from the mainstream pharmaceutical industry, contract research organisations, site management networks and the academic research sector.
