Market Research Suggests Internet Recruitment Is Reducing Clinical Trial Costs; 85 Percent of Patients Research Ailments Online

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 27, 2007) - The Internet is one of the last places pharmaceutical companies utilize when recruiting patients for clinical trials studies. But, according to Experian Research Services, the most competitive recruitment tool available today is the Internet.

Download a free whitepaper about online patient recruitment from Experian Research Services: www.smrb.com/clinicaltrials

Chris Wilson, president of Experian Research Services, explains that 85 percent of patients in the U.S. research their ailments online, providing online access to a motivated pool of clinical trial patients. "This unparalleled platform for screening large numbers of potential patients online in short periods of time is reducing the cost of clinical trials," said Wilson. Limiting patient recruitment to mass media channels such as radio, television and direct mail isn't reaching targeted patients in time.

Jody Vinci, director of sales for Experian Research Services, added that nearly 80 percent of all clinical trials fail to meet their patient enrollment deadlines. "As a result, delays continue to rise along with the demand to find patients for specialized testing," said Vinci. "The need to find a resolution quickly is costing some pharmaceutical companies a staggering $8 million each day a drug is delayed in trial. Instead, pharmaceutical companies should integrate the Internet into their patient recruitment plan during the beginning phases, not after it's too late."

Watch a video of Vinci explaining how to maximize online patient recruitment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogmWRA3haK8.

The biggest benefit for patient recruitment companies is that every dollar spent online is targeted at patients who are already participating in a permission-based survey system, receptive to e-mail communication, and who suffer from specific ailments.

Experian Research Services attracts more than 1 million visitors each month to their online platforms; of those, half of a million participate in more than 25 different surveys, and of these 200,000 are new consumers. "The individuals, who are suffering from diabetes or any health-related matters, want to be heard," said Vinci. "Emotional motivation kicks in and keeps consumers engaged. More than 85 percent of U.S. patients research their conditions on the Internet, creating an accessible and motivated pool of potential trial study patients."

Experian Research Services is the largest, permission-based consumer database which uses an online survey instrument to collect detailed, comprehensive data on consumers. www.venteinc.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Valerie Jennings 816.221.1040