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An overview of the Sponsor Pharmacy's responsibilities during setup of a clinical trial in a delivery organisation or location.

Pharmacy considerations

Host pharmacies

For multicentre trials the Sponsor Pharmacist should review the feasibility form and associated guidance sent to the host pharmacies.

Contact

Contact with participating locations may be by the Sponsor pharmacy team or may be by the Sponsor project management team, depending on arrangements or division of responsibilities.

Document review

During initiation of a location, the Sponsor may request the following documents from a participating pharmacy location. The Sponsor Pharmacist (or other Sponsor delegated team) must review the following SOPs from the local pharmacies where applicable:

  • temperature monitoring system, out of hours procedures for temperature deviations, annual calibration certificates
  • blinding and unblinding procedures, out of hours procedures when applicable
  • recall Standard Operational Procedure (SOP)
  • destruction SOP or waste management policy for the site

When required, depending on risk assessment:

  • dispensing / checking procedures, including prescriptions, accountability logs, etc.

Errors or omissions

When there are inadequacies at a participating location identified by the Sponsor that might put the safety of the participants or the validity of the research at risk, an action plan must be put in place. This must be completed by the host site prior to giving Sponsor green light to the site. Sponsor pharmacist should advise on the mitigations required in these instances where appropriate.

Supporting document

Update history

  1. Article and attachment updated in line with amendments to clinical trials regulations. Title amended.
  1. Published