Growth: from quantity to quality (A review of the clinical trials market)
The number of clinical trials in Russia has increased from just over 60 in 1998 to 260 today. Now that the clinical trials market is no longer in its infancy CROs increasingly need a new vision for their business that takes account of the longer term.
The legacy of the Soviet period remains a highly centralized medical system that is well suited to the CRO market and an ongoing search for the best management methods and skills. The arrival of western CROs helped to introduce western corporate standards but in the uncertainty of Russia in the 1990s quality came second to short term expediency.
Nevertheless a start was made in integrating Russia with the global CRO market. Good results were achieved due to the demands of sponsors and the skills of medical professionals keen to participate in trials that provided a stable income and a chance to keep up with cutting edge medical research. On the basis of this experience, we are now in a position to match the advantages accruing from conducting trials here with the best working practices. (In the 1990s there was a heavy handed approach, using the stick on the assumption that staff did not have their own motivation, therefore create an external one… for some years now though staff have had their own motivation and are tired of being treated as if they didn't, which in itself is potentially de-motivating.)
Following the subsequent stabilization that has taken place in Russia CROs find themselves working in a new environment. In cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg investigators are often involved in a number of trials on top of their everyday work, which raises question marks regarding their commitment to each individual study. Medical professionals are less homogeneous in their skills and attitudes than they used to be. In particular the number of new trials requires a new influx of monitors who need to be trained in GCP. The sustained period of recent economic growth also means that the cost of trials is not as low in comparison to western countries as it used to be.
These factors do not undermine Russia's position as an attractive location for clinical trials. Due to the high concentration of patients and physicians in medical institutes that facilitates high patient recruitment and other reasons, Russia will remain a country of choice for sponsors. Indeed these changes to the clinical trials market create added possibilities. The greater stability in Russia has meant that Russians of all professions, including in the CRO industry, are increasingly adopting a longer term approach to work. This is leading to a greater willingness to display initiative and respect other team players involved in trials. Such professional values are being embraced by the most dynamic companies, and by example stimulating still further the shift in outlook.
Outsourcing, no insurance etc - a lack of respect for staff… Different aims therefore can square the circle, not to be mutli-national global companies but to fit into a niche, more modest, and more effective in realizing each resource that we put into our work. Familiarity with the CRO by no means translates into familiarity with the conduct of the trial the CRO is committed to carrying out. same problems of employing staff with no experience etc - but you don't know this.
Люди наконец-то перестали быть у нас нулевым активом, по крайней мере из категории себестоимости вышли. С этой точки зрения мы вступили в XXI век. (управляющий партнер и председатель совета директоров компании Ward Howell International СЕРГЕЙ ВОРОБЬЕВ.)
Quote today's interview from Kommersant on human resources - firstly not enough trained professionals, secondly soaring costs, especially with the rouble rising, thirdly experience of western managers - not ideal, the solution is to develop Russian professionals. Asclepius - our aim - patient recruitment, clinical data, competitive both in time and money. General aim - organize human resources as efficiently as possible, which requires a new approach.
The high quality of the trials on a trial by trial basis contrasted with the undeveloped management methods employed by the CROs. The next step in the development of the clinical trials market in Russia therefore involves looking at each new trial in the context of the sector as a whole and the emergence within the company of an enthusiastic and level-headed working environment. The longer term future of the clinical trials market requires giving professionals their head and allowing them to take more responsibility, which is the best way to encourage their further professional development. The continuous development of every employee regardless of their level must not be sacrificed by a impatient management approach that mistakes long term growth for short term gain.