Conduct↦Ethics and Laws↦Study Conduct↦Data Protection
What is it? Why is it important?
The Swiss law regulates the processing of sensitive data, which includes health related data. Study data is health related data and must comply with regulatory protection requirements.
Requirements include that:
- Study participants give prior consent to the:
- Processing of their personal data
- Collection of their biological material
- Further use of their data for research purposes (e.g. includes both biological material and health-related data)
- Data is protected against unauthorised processing (e.g. through the installation and use off required IT and infrastructures)
- Participants have the right to information regarding the processing of their data
- The privacy and confidentiality of participant data is protected at all times
- The transmission of data and biological material to foreign authorities and international organisations is regulated
What do I need to do?
As a SP-INV or Site-INV ensure:
- To comply with data protection laws
- Study staff is trained on the correct handling and processing of participant data, including the handling of their biological material (e.g. confidentiality, data entry, storage, and export requirements)
- Processes (e.g. SOP, WI) are in place in the event of data protection breach, including the implementation of corrective measures (e.g. CAPAs)
- CAPAs are implemented in order to prevent data breach in the future (e.g. example of a data breach would be the accidental disclosure of participant personal data to outsiders not involved in the study)
In the event of data / sample sharing, ensure appropriate agreements are in place between the SP-INV (e.g. responsible for the study and its data) and other researcher(s) (e.g. DTUA / MTA).
Where can I get help?
Your local CTU↧ can support you with experienced staff regarding this topic
Basel, Departement Klinische Forschung, CTU, dkf.unibas.ch
Lugano, Clinical Trials Unit, CTU-EOC, www.ctueoc.ch
Bern, Clinical Trials Unit, CTU, www.ctu.unibe.ch
Geneva, Clinical Research Center, CRC, crc.hug.ch
Lausanne, Clinical Research Center, CRC, www.chuv.ch
St. Gallen, Clinical Trials Unit, CTU, www.kssg.ch
Zürich, Clinical Trials Center, CTC, www.usz.ch
References
ICH GCP E6(R2) – see in particular guideline
- 5.15 Record access
ISO 14155:2020 Medical device (access liable to costs) – see in particular section
- 7.7 Subject privacy and confidentiality of data
Swiss Law
FEDLEX – laws are available online under numbers
- 810.308 HRA
- 810.305 ClinO
- 810.306 ClinO-MD
- 235.1 FADP
HRA – see in particular articles
- Art. 41-43 Transfer, export, storage
- Art. 57 Duty of confidentiality
- Art. 60 Transmission to foreign authorities / organisations
ClinO – see in particular article
- Art. 18 Storage of health related personal data
ClinO-MD – see in particular article
- Art. 8 Data processing in electronic systems and information sharing
FADP – see in particular articles
- Art. 4 Principles
- Art. 6 Cross-border disclosure
- Art. 7 Data security
- Art. 8 Right to information
- Art. 10 Processing by third parties