Modernising Subject Payments in Clinical Trials

Currently, the majority of clinical trial sites in the United States use paper cheques as their primary method of payment, although it is proven that this process requires far higher administrative costs and yields lower subject retention rates than electronic payments. This payment preference persists despite recent data that approximately 25% of the American adult population does not have a bank account, causing many patients to incur a handling charge of up to 20% of the cheque’s face value. Without a simple and cost-effective payment method, recruitment and retention of clinical trial patients is greatly impaired, even while studies indicate that the success of a clinical trial hinges upon subject retention. It is estimated that between 20 and 30% of patients drop out of Phase II/III trials, meaning that 90% of studies miss their target completion dates. Fortunately, recent technological developments have led to the introduction of electronic payment solutions, designed to track and monitor trial-related payment activities. This article overviews the conventional subject payment process, identifies its shortcomings, and discusses how new electronic payment solutions are set to revolutionise subject payment in clinical trials.