New Online System for Investigational Drug Service Pharmacy
Researchers at BWH are involved with hundreds of clinical trials, affording patients the benefit of access to the most innovative treatments. The Pharmacy has long relied on a paper documentation system to manage the protocols, but now, thanks to a new application developed by BWH’s Investigational Drug Service Pharmacy, all data is stored and maintained online.
“The Investigational Drug Services-Information System, or IDS-IS, supports investigational drug services at every step of the process, from enrollment to reporting,” said Pharmacy Supervisor Jon Silverman, who helped develop and launch the new system.
In addition to maintaining overall protocol information and standardizing dispense procedures, the new program manages setup and preparation, creating procedures for increased accuracy of future dispensing, repackaging, compounding and IV preparations. IDS-IS also manages randomization and enrollment and helps ensure that Investigational Drug Services receives new and amended protocols.
“The system is connected to Insight, which is an electronic IRB that provides us with up-to-date information on investigational protocols as they are approved.” said Tom Cooley, RPh, MBA, director, BWH Pharmacy Informatics and Support Services. “This allows us to receive protocol amendments in a timely manner. Right now, we’re reliant on e-mails and one-on-one communication with pharmacists.”
All protocols approved after Sept. 7 are managed in the new system, and protocols currently being dispensed will be moved over to IDS-IS over the next six months.
“A priority of the BWH Investigational Drug Service is to ensure the safe and accurate administration of investigational drugs to patients,” said Barbara Bierer, MD, senior vice president of Research. “The features of IDS-IS enable patients enrolled in investigational drug protocols to receive the same level of care as other patients at BWH.”