Challenges and opportunities for sponsors in conducting clinical trials during a pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic may impact the conduct of clinical trials of medical products. Challenges have arisen, from country/ state lockdowns, site closures due to hospitals being taken over / sites being taken over for COVID-19 related care, travel limitations to sites for patients, interruptions to the supply chain for the investigational product, or other considerations if site personnel or trial subjects become infected with COVID-19. These challenges may lead to difficulties in meeting protocol-specified procedures, including administering or using the investigational product or adhering to protocol-scheduled visits and laboratory/diagnostic testing. This position paper from the perspective of Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) aims to provide guidance to both frontline Clinical Research Professionals and sponsors on measures that can be taken while continuing ongoing clinical trial activities at site as well as resuming site level activities in the post COVID setting. Broad guidance is also given to sites and sponsors on use of Direct to Patient drug shipments, supplies and cold chain management and use of technologies to support enhanced remote functioning during and post COVID.