Clinical research: Business opportunities for pharmacy-based investigational drug services

The application by an academic health center of business principles to the conduct of clinical research is described. Re-engineering of the infrastructure for clinical research at the Universit y of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics began in 19 90 with the creation of the Center for Clinical Trials (CCT) and the restru cturing of the investigational drug services (IDS). Strategies to further i mprove the institution's clinical research activities have been continually assessed and most recently have centered on the adaptation of a business p hilosophy within the institution's multidisciplinary research infrastructur e. Toward that end, the CCT and IDS have introduced basic business principl es into operational activities. Four basic business concepts have been impl emented: viewing the research protocol as a commodity, seeking payment for services rendered, tracking investments, and assessing performance. It is p roposed that incorporation of these basic business concepts is not only com patible with the infrastructure for clinical research but beneficial to tha t infrastructure. The adaptation of a business mindset is likely to enable an academic health center to reach its clinical research goals.