Clinical research organisation Chiltern International has identified shortages in the number of CRAs, project managers and more recently data management roles in the UK
The UK is an important centre for clinical trials, but its ability to hold onto a leading position in this field will depend on the availability of experienced clinical personnel within the country.
Clinical research organisation Chiltern International has identified shortages in the number of CRAs, project managers and more recently data management roles in the UK.
It believes that new methods may be needed to help improve the situation.
Official figures show that 15 out of the world's top 75 medicines were discovered and developed in the UK - more than any other country outside the USA - and that the UK's biotech companies account for 43% of all biotechnology drugs in advanced clinical trials in Europe.
"Managing a clinical trial is a complex task and requires interaction between people in different disciplines," explained Linda Christmas, associate director of Chiltern Integrated Resourcing Solutions (Cirs).
"There are around 4500 clinical trial applications in the UK each year, but if we want to maintain this high level of research activity then the industry needs experienced staff.
"The presence of individuals who have a good blend of technical and communication skills are what makes the difference between project failure and project success".
Around 1300 graduates and postgraduates enter the UK's pharmaceutical industry annually, but many clinical research job categories are highly industry-specific skill areas, with no clear higher education background discipline as a source of recruits.
It is in these scenarios where industry experience is considered most valuable.
"The pharmaceutical industry has been reluctant to take on inexperienced staff and thus the burden of training rookies has fallen on CROs such as ourselves," added Christmas.
"Yet if clients do not want to take inexperienced staff onto their projects, how will people get the training they need?".
At present the market is characterised by numerous excellent candidates wishing to enter the industry, but there are relatively few places are available to them, she said.
The situation is made more difficult by the fact that once these highly qualified people have gained experience they are keen to progress with their careers and need guidance on where they can go.
This can also lead to a very competitive market place with candidates quickly leaving the organisation that invested so heavily in their training, if they are not well supported.
"The current staff shortage means that recruitment in the industry is under extreme pressure," admits Linda Christmas.
"Large numbers of organisations are recruiting, but there are more positions available than there are candidates to fill them.
"In some cases this has led to a rise in the number of freelancers.
"Whereas this has long existed for clinical, statistics and programming roles it is becoming more in vogue for data managers.
"Furthermore the age-old shortage of experienced regulatory and QA staff persists".
Some companies have employed in-house recruitment teams alongside human resources (HR) which can be supported by agencies.
The weight of a pharma name often helps recruitment, such that the CRO market often suffers, coupled with increasing demands from clients regarding the experience of the staff on projects.
Increasingly, companies such as Chiltern say they are are having to come up with more and more innovative ideas to attract candidates, such as recruitment bonus incentives for recommending a friend, prize draws at conferences, and increased networking through out the company.
"There are some solutions available," suggests Christmas.
"Bringing trainees through either within the CRO or immediately seconded to clients on special deals is one answer - though it requires long term investment with no guarantee of full return unless contracts are cleverly constructed with incentives for long term service.
"Alternatively, there can be a focus on recruiting experienced staff, which is a highly competitive area".
It seems that for the UK to have an adequate number of experienced, competent clinical research professionals available to perform the many clinical trials needed this country, CROs and the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors will need to work hand in hand to invest in and develop the right people for the job, says Chiltern.
