SCRS Launches Site Payment Initiative
March 9, 2023 – The Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) has announced the launch of a new Site Payment Initiative. The initiative will be comprised of clinical research site leaders, sponsors and CROs committed to addressing financial burdens at the site level.
Some of the initial goals of the program will aim to mitigate various financial challenges of sites such as holdback payments, patient stipend taxes, and delayed payment frequencies, among other objectives.
Karen McIntyre, Senior Director, Patient Innovation Centre, Parexel, commented, “Investigative sites’ financial security and sustainability is in the interest of every sponsor and CRO. For the past decade, nearly 60% of sites have reported 6 months or less operating cash. Today 76% of clinical trial agreements continue to apply a withholding payment embedded since the early 1990s when data was transported by people rather than technology. The purpose of the SCRS Payments Initiative is to create a fair state where sites are paid 100% of earned revenue, payment terms are monthly rather than quarterly, and clinical trial volunteers are not penalized through tax.”
Casey Orvin, Chief Commercial Officer, CenExel added, “Running a successful site or site network is complicated, especially with the current state of site financials. Addressing these crucial financial challenges of sites, such as delayed payment frequencies and holdback payments, is key to enabling site success. I’m excited and look forward to co-leading this initiative within SCRS and the working group of sites, sponsors, and CROs to advocate for better payment practices in our industry.”
“Many of these payment and financial challenges have unfortunately burdened sites for decades,” said Allyson Small, Chief Operating Officer, SCRS. “A unified voice to advocate for the financial needs of sites and patients is still very much needed, and we are confident that now is the time to enact change. By working with this group of motivated sites and industry partners, we hope to enhance sustainable practices that benefit clinical research as a whole.”
SCRS has previously developed several white papers surrounding site payments which are available on the SCRS website, and will plan to release more resources as part of this program. If interested in participating in this Site Payment Initiative, please reach out to info@myscrs.org.
About SCRS
Founded in 2012, SCRS is a global organization that unifies the voice of the clinical research site community to create greater site sustainability. Representing over 9,500 sites in 47 countries, SCRS membership provides sites with a community dedicated to advocacy, education, mentorship and connectivity. SCRS is an influential voice for sites and an active partner in industry-wide initiatives and dialogues focused on improving the clinical research enterprise. Our Voice. Our Community. Your Success. Join the community. Visit MySCRS.org.
