Institute of Pharmacovigilance
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TechnicalT.RA.DM.DE.DES

Data Entry Specialist

Technical · Regulatory Authority · Data Entry

Responsible for case receipt and book-in within a regulatory authority.

Also known as: Medical Data Entry Specialist, Data Control Specialist

Draft

This competency standard is a working draft prepared for reviewand is not yet an official GPPC standard. Content is derived from the role’s job description and established pharmacovigilance practice, and is subject to change.

Job description

  • Responsible for case receipt/book-in processes. This includes monitoring email boxes for new cases, performing duplicate checks, booking cases into the safety database, attaching electronic source documents, as well as creating/retrieving case file folders.
  • Perform standard database searches/output in support of clinical-safety database reconciliation, as well for routine recurring monthly requests safety data.
  • May assist with monthly maintenance and reconciliation of various trackers.
  • Contribute to transparency and communication initiatives through the provision of scientifically rigorous and consistent information to promote the safe and effective use of medicines.
  • Liaise with and provide technical information, advice, and guidance on PV matters to other regulatory colleagues, pharmaceutical companies, relevant national and international bodies, healthcare professionals and members of the public.
  • Support external compliance monitoring with PV obligations.
  • Participate at all levels (internally and externally) in the formulation and preparation of regulatory policies, guidelines, legislation, and opinions.
  • Contribute, participate, and support team meetings, including materials preparation, meeting minutes writing, and action item tracking.

Overall required level: Intermediate.Draft competency standard for the Data Entry Specialist role. As a technical role, expert-level command of the specific systems, tools and processes is expected, with working knowledge of the surrounding regulations. Levels are an initial proposal derived from the role's job description and typical pharmacovigilance practice, pending expert review.

Prerequisites

Mandatory prerequisites

  • Relevant qualification or demonstrable experience in the role's domain
  • Relevant pharmacovigilance experience appropriate to the role

Recommendations

  • Working proficiency in English
  • Familiarity with the applicable GVP modules

Concept of levels

Knowledge for each topic is assessed on a four-level scale.

LevelExpected knowledge
N/ANo knowledge required.
BasicElementary knowledge of the specific regulation; fundamental understanding of the terms and definitions used, a basic understanding of the concept of the regulation, a general overview of what it covers and where it can be found; passive/delegated usage of the regulation.
IntermediateVery good knowledge of the specific regulation; comprehensive understanding of the terms and definitions and of the concept and context of who/when/where/why/how it applies; active usage of the regulation when required.
ExpertExcellent knowledge of the specific regulation; in-depth understanding of the concept and of how and why its sections should be implemented and followed, including outcomes and responsibilities for all relevant stakeholders; active usage of the regulation on a daily basis.

Knowledge

General Knowledge

TopicLevel
Pharmacovigilance principles and Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP) overviewRef: EMA GVP Module I — Pharmacovigilance systems and their quality systems; EU Reg (EC) 726/2004 & Dir 2001/83/ECBasic
The pharmacovigilance system and Pharmacovigilance System Master File (PSMF)Ref: EMA GVP Module II — Pharmacovigilance system master file (Rev 2)Intermediate
Individual case safety report (ICSR) management and regulatory reporting timelinesRef: EMA GVP Module VI (Rev 2); ICH E2D(R1); ICH E2B(R3)Intermediate

Role-Specific Knowledge

Includes topics derived from this role's job description.

TopicLevel
Case receipt, book-in and duplicate detectionRef: EMA GVP Module VI (Rev 2), incl. Addendum I — Duplicate managementExpert
MedDRA and WHODrug coding of terms and productsRef: MedDRA (MedDRA MSSO); WHODrug (Uppsala Monitoring Centre)Intermediate
Regulatory and internal case-processing timelinesRef: EMA GVP Module VI (Rev 2); ICH E2D(R1)Intermediate
Data integrity principles (ALCOA+)Basic
Safety database administration and configurationRef: ICH E2B(R3); EMA EudraVigilanceIntermediate
ICSR lifecycle: receipt, triage, data entry, quality controlRef: EMA GVP Module VI — Collection, management and submission of reports (Rev 2)Intermediate
PV policy, legislation and guideline developmentRef: Regulation (EC) No 726/2004; Directive 2001/83/ECIntermediate

Knowledge · Skills · Attitude

A summary of the competency elements expected for this role.

ElementKnowledgeSkillsAttitude
Case book-in
  • Receipt and duplicate-check procedures
  • Accurate, timely data entry
  • Diligence
Coding
  • Controlled terminologies
  • Correct coding of terms/products
  • Consistency
Compliance
  • Processing timelines
  • Meeting SLAs
  • Reliability under pressure

Get certified for this role

Certification validates prerequisites via CV screening and assesses knowledge through an online, AI-proctored examination based on the competency standard. The latest terms and requirements for every role and region are maintained by the Institute of Pharmacovigilance.

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