Clinical research: business opportunities for pharmacy-based investigational drug services.
The application by an academic health center of business principles to the conduct of clinical research is described. Re-engineering of the infrastructure for clinical research at the University of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics began in 1990 with the creation of the Center for Clinical Trials (CCT) and the restructuring of the investigational drug services (IDS). Strategies to further improve the institution's clinical research activities have been continually assessed and most recently have centered on the adaptation of a business philosophy within the institution's multidisciplinary research infrastructure. Toward that end, the CCT and IDS have introduced basic business principles into operational activities. Four basic business concepts have been implemented: viewing the research protocol as a commodity, seeking payment for services rendered, tracking investments, and assessing performance. It is proposed that incorporation of these basic business concepts is not only compatible with the infrastructure for clinical research but beneficial to that infrastructure. The adaptation of a business mindset is likely to enable an academic health center to reach its clinical research goals.
Investigational Drug Service, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison 53792, USA.
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Marnocha
D003132:Commerce / Q000379:methods; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012107:Research Design; D014922:Wisconsin
D015507:Drugs, Investigational