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"We've plans to open Thailand and Malaysia
chapters"
-Thomas Adams, President & CEO, Association of Clinical Research
Professionals (ACRP)
Thomas Adams was named CEO of the Association of Clinical
Research Professionals (ACRP) in 2002. In 2005, he was given additional title of
the President of ACRP. Active in a number of associations Adams has served as an
officer and director of the American Association of Medical Society Executives
and has held a number of appointed positions including US Department of Health
and Human Services Secretary's Advisory Committee on Human Research
Protections, the Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee,
Chairman of the Governor's (WI) Advisory Committee on Health Insurance for
Uninsured (SACHRP).
During the launch of ACRP Singapore Chapter, in an
interview with BioSpectrum, he shares the objectives and benefits of the
Association. Some excerpts:
Why is ACRP keen on opening a chapter in South East Asia in
general and Singapore in particular?
According to market analysts, by 2008, up to 30 percent of
global clinical trials will take place outside of US and Europe. India and South
East Asia are the favored places for those trials to take place. Even the pharma
companies have increasingly been outsourcing their clinical trials to other
parts of the world and no other region gets as much of it as Asia.
Even in a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers that
surveyed pharma executives in nine Asian countries 58 percent of the respondents
expect Asia to lead the global pharmaceutical market shift. At the same time
professionals joining ACRP, from countries other than US represent the fastest
growing segment of our membership, and has already crossed over 3,000. Keeping
in view the demand, we began to look for a partner to open chapter for Asia
Pacific region back in 2004.
Singapore has been emerging as a hub for early stage clinical
trials. The implications for employment in the region are significant especially
as the country has established itself as a center for clinical trial oversight
in Asia. The job market looks promising in this space. Through the development
of a chapter we wish to participate in Singapore achieving its share of this
goal. At the same time, in near future, we have plans to open chapters in
Thailand and Malaysia as well.
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What is ACRP?
The Association of Clinical Research
Professionals (ACRP), a voluntary organization, is a primary resource
for clinical research professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology
and medical device industries, as those in hospital, academic medical
centers and physician office settings. ACRP was founded in 1976 to
address the educational and networking needs of research nurses and
others who supported the work of clinical investigations. Now, it is a
global association of 21,000 individuals who are engaged in the
performance of clinical trials on human beings.
The ACRP is responsible for
interaction and management of over 50 of its global chapters and forums
to provide assistance and service to the chairs and their members and
assist with the development of new chapters and forums. It organizes and
host chapter officers' workshop and forum educational and networking
programs at the annual global conference and exhibition. It is
responsible for managing all ACRP business relationships with current
and potential global business partners and collaborators. It recently
started its Singapore chapter in association with Bilcare Research. |
What kind of activities ACRP undertakes for the benefit of its
members?
The association conducts examination for certification for
the clinical researchers. Besides certification, the association monitors the
evolving field of clinical research, identifies knowledge requirements of the
clinical professionals worldwide and develops educational programs to support
the field. The programs include opportunities for learning in the classroom
through seminars, workshop, conferences, and good clinical practices (GCP)
courses, learning through online clinical and leadership courses, participating
in webinars with expert instructors and so on.
What are the benefits of doing ACRP certification program?
A certification is the formal recognition of clinical
research professionals who have met professional eligibility requirements and
demonstrated a baseline level of job-related knowledge and skills. We believe
certification can benefit the public through ensuring the development and
preservation of the highest quality and standards in clinical research.
The other intangible benefits of taking up the certification
by a professional is that there will be fewer errors, lower costs, rapid
turnaround and greater safety while conducting the trials. Even the feedback
from the pharmaceutical companies has been the same on the certification. We
believe it is through ACRP certification that global standards of knowledge of
clinical trials can be demonstrated.
As of now how many professionals hold ACRP certification?
Since 1992, ACRP has been a leading certifier of clinical
research professionals. More than 18,000 professionals hold a designation such
as: ACRP certified clinical research coordinator, clinical research associate,
physician investigator, or non-physician
investigator.
To help the candidates prepare for the FDA, ICH and European
certification exam, ACRP offers classroom-based Certification Exam Review
courses, as well as online practice exams and prep packages.
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