Risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) vary from simple to complex. Particularly for the complex Elements to Assure Safe Use (ETASU) REMS, data in the form of a REMS assessment report may greatly challenge team members as many may be new to the process. Creation of a REMS assessment report requires a high-functioning, coordinated and cooperative team (whether done all in-house or including vendors).

During this short course, participants will hear about relevant FDA regulations and guidances, recent status of REMS, and experiences in leading teams to successfully create REMS assessment reports. During hands-on activities, participants will receive case studies, discuss and role play as key functional areas — data management, project writing, medical writing, pharmacovigilance, drug safety, epidemiology, and regulatory affairs, with an emphasis on providing a timely, high-quality deliverable. Time will be spent on refinement of the project plan, development of the table of contents, and how to coordinate disparate sections such as knowledge survey reports and adherence metrics.

Discussion will also focus on topics such as the content of the REMS assessment as dictated by the REMS and REMS approval letter, determination of data cut-off dates, working with vendors, what to include in the report regarding survey design issues such as comprehension testing, special concerns for shared REMS, and FDA input and timing.