DIA Conference: Switzerland, 2011

Presentation by Dr. Teri Stokes on October 11th

Auditing Case for IVR Systems –Randomization & Supplies, Phase IV, ePRO, eCRF

Conference Impressions

This was an enthusiastic conference. Presentations were kept to 20 minutes each and lively question and answer discussions of presented topics filled the last 20 minutes. Some sessions included workshops with two presentations followed by group activities. One such was “Internal Audits – Driving Quality Standards and Compliance?” Five working groups addressed different phases in the life cycle of an internal audit.

Attendees especially responded to two plenary sessions.

• Tuesday afternoon’s debate that “This House Believes that Clinical Research has Lost Customer Confidence.” Audience voting at the start agreed with the premise. After the debate, attendees still agreed with it. The Age of the e-Patient has arrived. Reaching and recruiting that e-Patient will require skillful use of social media by clinical research.


• Wednesday’s closing Session “Impact of Social Media on the Pharmaceutical Sector” had a panel of pharmaceutical media experts discuss practical issues around the use and abuse of medical information and drug products in social media. Harnessing the social media’s capacity for promoting action in support of company products, correct medical information, and pharmaceutical industry image is an important imperative for the next 3-5 years.