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Editorial
. 2021 Jan 1;18(1-3):35-38.
eCollection 2021 Jan-Mar.

Drug Development for Mental Illness: How Psychiatry Clinical Trial Sites are Meeting the Challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Robert E Litman  1   2   3 , Peter Sorantin  1   2   3 , Elia E Acevedo-Diaz  1   2   3
Affiliations
Editorial

Drug Development for Mental Illness: How Psychiatry Clinical Trial Sites are Meeting the Challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Robert E Litman et al. Innov Clin Neurosci. .

Abstract

Objective: The goal was to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric drug development and clinical trials. Main Points of Discussion: Disruption of pharmaceutical industry- sponsored clinical trials for psychiatric disorders by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted by concerns regarding the safety of trial participants and the feasibility of trial conduct, has adversely impacted psychiatric drug development. In response, psychiatry trial sites have modified clinical trials and adapted trial conduct, through the use of social distancing, personal protective equipment, laboratory testing, and remote assessments, to reduce the risks of COVID-19. We review the implications of these modifications for participant safety, safe trial conduct, and data integrity. Conclusion: Given these implications, ongoing communication and consultation are needed between trials sites, sponsors, and all other stakeholders to ensure continued progress in psychiatric drug development during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical trials; psychiatry.

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Conflict of interest statement

FUNDING:No funding was provided for this study. DISCLOSURES:Dr. Litman is a member of the Speaker's Bureau for Janssen, AbbVie, and Allergan Pharmaceuticals. The other authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

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