Peer review of a clinical trial protocol: Practical tips for regulatory medical writers, clinicians, and clinical scientists

Abstract

Protocol development is a critical milestone in the clinical drug development process for all pharmaceutical companies conducting clinical trials. A regulatory medical writer (RMW) plays a crucial role in the protocol development and peer review processes along with different stakeholders. Poor peer review leads to protocol amendments, which delay regulatory submission and increase project costs. Thus, there is a strong need for RMWs and stakeholders to work together during the peer review process to highlight the specific issues that should be addressed before finalisation, which helps in creating effective, efficient, and high-quality protocols. The suggested protocol peer review steps described in this article will help an RMW to plan, coordinate, and deliver this highly important document for global and local clinical trials.