
Pharmacy Assurance Pilot
ECMC Pharmacy Pilot - Launching June 2025
As part of the UK Clinical Research Delivery (UKCRD) programme, The ECMC Network and the Health Research Authority (HRA) are launching a targeted pilot to streamline and strengthen pharmacy technical assurance in early phase oncology trials.
What the pilot will do:
- Apply across all ECMC sites, for both commercial and non-commercial early phase oncology trials (excluding healthy volunteer studies).
- Reduce duplication and variation in pharmacy reviews, improving efficiency and consistency.
- Provide clearer guidance on information needed from sponsors and sites during selection and set-up.
- Support better coordination through early engagement of pharmacy and R&D teams, and enhancements to the current technical review form (including ATMPs, GMOs, and transport logistics).
- Improve management of amendments within the assurance process.
Resources:
- Guidance on setting up clinical trials
- Summary of the guidance
- Pilot information sheet
- Resources for sponsors and sites
Contact us:
- Neil Bhattacharjee, ECMC Project Manager - neil.bhattacharjee@cancer.org.uk
- HRA Pilot Support - pilot.testing@hra.nhs.uk
- Pharmacy Technical Assurance - Pharmacy.Assurance@HRA.nhs.uk