COVID-19 and readjusting clinical trials

In addition to researchers who formulate the protocol for the trial and work to secure funding (either from governments, foundations, pharmaceutical or device manufacturers, or a combination of the above), clinical trials include clinical caregivers and nurses who work with patients at clinical trial sites, postgraduate researchers, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, and others who work on the analysis of data generated by the trial, some of whom may or may not interact with patients, but all of whom are essential to the final result. Fergus Sweeney, head of clinical studies and manufacturing at the European Medicines Agency, told The Lancet that one of the key parts of their guidance has been physical distancing to protect patients and clinic staff, but ensuring the safety of patients in testing and treatment is also important. “The rapidity with which new information, new data becomes available, new studies become published…is quite impressive. Since the emergence of COVID-19 in December, 2019, 2995 clinical trials related to COVID-19 have been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov.