MediciGlobal Hosts Successful Recruitment and Retention Conference

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA, Nov 24, 2008—MediciGlobal, a specialty patient recruitment and retention firm for adult and pediatric clinical trials, with a track record of success for over two decades, hosted a highly successful Patient Recruitment and Retention conference in Philadelphia, October 28-29, 2008 for the Jacob Fleming Group. The conference focused on new and innovative ways to reach patients, understanding key issues regarding patient recruitment in a global market, and the need to improve public perception of clinical trials.

About 75% of attendees were from biopharmaceutical companies, and while many had worked with CROs to conduct patient recruitment campaigns, only a handful had worked with specialty recruitment-retention companies. It was recognized that specialty firms with innovative technologies and strong planning and feasibility skills were the way of the future.

Several themes emerged from the conference.

  1. Feasibility and planning for recruitment is a key part of recruitment success.
  2. Site selection is critical since so many sites over promise yet under deliver.
  3. Performance metrics give sponsors control over the recruitment process.
  4. Specialty recruitment firms have technologies and expertise not found at most CROs.
  5. The economic downturn means that companies have to reduce their operational burn rate and ensure that costly clinical trial delays are avoided.

“The conference allowed participants to share and discuss the challenges they deal with in the patient recruitment industry. Not only did we get possible solutions out there for people to implement in the office, but we also got people thinking ahead of the curve. That is when I know I did my job successfully; getting people to think about the future of the pharmaceutical industry,” said Tara Hines, Conference Producer, Jacob Fleming Group.

Liz Moench, President and CEO of MediciGlobal, pointed out that while the industry is undergoing a downsizing, for the patient recruitment sector however it means growth, as more companies are seeking not-to-chance the risk of watchful-waiting when the stats show that 80% of studies fail to meet their timelines. Strategies to address these issues and others raised during the meeting were addressed in a final interactive session chaired by executives from Merck.

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About MediciGlobal
MediciGlobal is in the business of making a meaningful difference to patient health—by identifying and engaging patients for clinical trials, and by building deep and lasting connections with our many stakeholders. Our clinical trial recruitment practices are guided by global standards and by our concern for the lives of the patients who put their trust in us. We’re also making certain that those who participate in these trials fully understand what clinical trial participation means, and that their participation is guarded by strict privacy policies. MediciGlobal meets BBB OnLine® and WBENC accreditation standards and is certified as a Safe Harbor company. Visit www.mediciglobal.com and follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MediciGlobal. www.mediciglobal.com

For further information contact:
Alicia Carango
+1 484-674-6855
acarango@MediciGlobal.com