The Impact of Document Image Management on Clinical Data Processing

Abstract

Pharmaceutical companies seeking to reduce drug development times are hindered by large volumes of paper documents. Document image management, or imaging, presents possibilities for dealing with the paper problem. Imaging, the digitization of document images, is used when documents are not available electronically or contain unformatted data such as diagrams or handwriting. It offers immediate document access, parallel document use, and improved security. More benefits are achieved when imaging is coupled with other desktop applications such as work flow or electronic publishing. It can be applied in clinical trials to track and control analysis of case report forms (CRFs), and in regulatory affairs to aid dossier generation and regulatory authority communication. Tangible benefits of imaging in terms of time and cost savings are being realized today by many pharmaceutical firms.