A1. The role of the Clinical Trials Governance Framework – update on the pilot program and the implementation of the culture of GCP
First session of the ARCS Summit and we’re hearing about: “The role of the Clinical Trials Governance Framework”.
KEY POINTS:
The National Clinical Trials Governance Framework
was developed, in conjunction with a range of stakeholders, by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
The objective is to have a nationally consistent approach
to the accreditation of health services for the conduct of clinical trials.
On 1st September 2020
a pilot of the Governance Framework started and will go to to March 2021 in 14 sites with 30 health service organisations.
The objective is to provide opportunities for strategic planning for clinical trial service provision
via systems and processes currently in place including organisational leadership, policies and procedures, risk management; incident management and open disclosure; workforce safety and quality training and infrastructure for clinical services.
This will deliver measurable operational efficiencies
reported via an operational metrics web-based tool, and assessed by quality standards.
CONNECT TO THE SPEAKERS
Fiona Loughlan
Dr Bernadette Aliprandi-Costa
Ben Laverty
A2. What is the Department of Health doing - an update and discussion on
recent changes and developments
COVID has been the catalyst for a range of innovative projects in Clinical Research. Day 2 of the ARCS Summit and Session A2 is an “Update on national projects to improve the local clinical trial landscape”.
KEY POINTS:
Allyson Essex
started by highlighting that “The National Cabinet sees Clinical Research as a high priority area, and will encourage a simpler and easier governance process”.
National consistency,
whilst maintaining local environmental requirements, is a key objective.
All Australian Governments
want to make it easier to start up and run clinical trials, with the aim of positioning Australia as a global leader.
The development of the Clinical Trials Governance Framework
is a step towards a nationally consistent accreditation system for trial sites.
COVID
has resulted in the increase in digitisation in Clinical Research (especially tele-trials).
MTPConnect
has played a key role in fast-tracking COVID research.
A Parliamentary Inquiry submission
has made recommendations for making Australia a more attractive place for clinical trials.
CONNECT TO THE SPEAKERS
Daniel Grant
Carrie Bloomfield
Christopher Brook
Allyson Essex
Shanny Dyer
A3. The ARCS signature course
Further key insights from industry leaders were presented at the beginning of Day 3 of the ARCS Summit in session A3.
THEIR ADVICE FOR EMERGING LEADERS INCLUDE:
Feel comfortable dealing with change
Undertake personal leadership development
Embrace the impact of technological advances
Seek out cross-sectional and cross-functional experiences
Develop curiosity
Looking after yourself (eg energy for performance); be conscious of how you ‘show up’ every day
The ability to lead in a crisis
Critical thinking
Problem solving skills
Understanding the science (STEM backgrounds)
Taking an ‘enterprise’ view and understanding the broader organisation and industry
Data evaluation skills
Empathy
Influence for positive outcome
Take risks to undertake opportunities
Build networks to challenge and assist you in your leadership journey
The ARCS signature course
has been developed to build customised leadership expertise for the sector; and to position people for senior roles.
CONNECT TO THE SPEAKERS:
Gavin Fox-Smith
Kylie Bromley
Ian Adams
Rosamund Christie
A4. COVID-19 – from pandemic to the new research normal through policy and standards (part1)
COVID has changed the Clinical Research landscape…for ever, and with many benefits. Thursday morning and Day 4 of the ARCS Summit and topic A4 is “COVID-19 – from pandemic to the new research normal through policy and standards”.
KEY POINTS:
COVID
has created the opportunity to do things differently, especially around policy and procedures.
Previously there was resistance
to initiatives and the pandemic has allowed us to push ahead.
All the States have been working collaboratively
and quickly to work on a national statement to provide guidance to sites and industry.
Tele-trials
have been discussed for some time, and the pandemic has fast-tracked its adoption, especially to support regional, rural and remote areas (with a government grant of $125 mil-lion over 5 years).
Other COVID related advances
include E-signatures; E-consents; Remote monitoring, National Tele-trials SOPs.
Predictions
are that Australia will be a highly sought after location for trials in the coming year as northern hemisphere countries contend with a high second wave of infections.
CONNECT TO THE SPEAKERS:
Antonio Penna
Melissa Hagan
Suzanne Hasthorpe
Daniela Caiazza
David Lloyd
A5. COVID-19 pandemic – building resilience and sustainability in Australia (part 2)
Day 5 What are the important Clinical Research issues being addressed during COVID? Hear from industry leaders discuss: “COVID-19 pandemic – building resilience and sustainability in Australia”
Industry has played a pivotal in responding to the COVID pandemic and has been involved in a range of initiatives including:
The Medicines Shortages Working Group
Collaborating with local and international regulators to discuss supply chain issues
Involvement with industry associations to prepare industry responses to the pandemic
Crisis management and business continuity initiatives
Industry has been active in local vaccine trials -
has ensured that local manufacturing continues to supply critical medicines; has managed risk in clinical trials; & has ensured continuity of care.
COVID has brought great change
that would otherwise have taken years to be implemented. Collaboration, and the building of trust, across industry has increased, and the challenge is how this can be harnessed in the future.
The innovations developed
will position Australia as a preferred place to undertake clinical research.