Table 3.

Recommendations on how to ensure and expedite high-quality clinical research in pandemic situations.

Clinical trial units/researchinstitutions	Protection of staff and study volunteers by implementing preventive measures (i.e., hygiene measures, remote working, and restriction of visitors).
	Preselection of studies by establishing regional or institutional scientific review boards that allow for centralised and non-competitive study coordination to ensure high-quality research.
	Flexible redeployment and adequate training of staff to expedite efficient and high-quality set-up of COVID-19-related studies while sustaining important non-COVID-19 studies.
	Development of strategies that are not disadvantageous to non-COVID-19 research areas. A thorough risk–benefit assessment is recommended in all cases.
Regulatory bodies	Implementation of fast-track authorisation procedures for COVID-19 research while maintaining an adequate balance between the speed and quality of project assessment.
	Development of nationally, regionally, and/or internationally standardised guidelines to avoid inconsistency and confusion among research institutions and other stakeholders in clinical research.