A MIS System for Worldwide Acquisition of Remote Clinical Information

Abstract

The discovery and development of new drug entities (NDEs) and their timely introduction into the marketplace is the lifeblood of the pharmaceutical industry. Yet drug development, along with the health of patients being treated and those awaiting new treatments, hinges upon the timely acquisition of complex clinical information. Moreover, this information is collected from independent medical researchers widely distributed around the world. This article describes a strategic management information system that coordinates and expedites the worldwide collection of clinical research information for Schering-Plough Corporation. It discusses how the generic information gathering process is often crippled by misunderstandings between the information provider and reviewer, and how this system minimizes these difficulties at Schering-Plough. It discusses the benefits to senior management of more efficient manpower utilization, faster data acquisition, more accurate data, faster data analysis, and most importantly, earlier decision points and ultimately earlier product market introduction. The article concludes by discussing the experiences gathered and applying it to a generic information collection system.