Clinical Staffing Solutions During COVID-19 in China

This case study details the collaboration between a large global pharmaceutical company and Fortrea Functional Service Provider (FSP) to address staffing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The document outlines the need for rapid hiring of clinical research associates (CRAs) to support drug development efforts. Initially, the sponsor required 60 CRAs but faced a lengthy internal recruitment process. To expedite hiring, the sponsor outsourced the task to Fortrea FSP and another global CRO, with both teams presenting competitive bids. Fortrea's proposal was well-received, leading to an adjustment in the contract to hire 45 CRAs. The recruitment strategy involved leveraging multiple channels, including media advertisements and employee referrals, resulting in a candidate pool of over 3,500 resumes. After rigorous screening and interviews, Fortrea successfully hired 53 CRAs, completing the process 13 weeks ahead of schedule despite the operational challenges posed by the pandemic. This partnership exemplifies effective staffing solutions in a crisis.