DIA concerned about data quality safeguards in clinical research

The Drug Information Association (DIA) believes swift action is needed to maintain standards of data quality in clinical research.

According to the DIA, there has been a "swift uptake" in the use of computerized systems and electronic data management systems in the sector.

However, the DIA is concerned that failure to incorporate proper validation procedures could lead to the data quality being adversely affected.

It warns that researchers routinely underestimate the impact electronic applications have on "the quality and integrity of data and subject safety".

In response, the association has now released a new report, Computerized Systems in Clinical Research: Current Data Quality and Data Integrity Concepts, which it claims sets a "benchmark" for data management in clinical research.

This follows news that a five-hospital network in New Jersey has just completed a project to move away from paper-based processes and centralize all its clinical research into one seamless data management system.

Posted by Rachel Wheeler