FAQs - Task Academy

Q: Must first-time SA GCP be conducted face to face?

No. Not anymore. Although section 4.3.3.10 of the SA GCP 2020 V3 guidelines states: “Basic GCP training must be done by means of attendance at a face-to-face course and must include specific SA GCP 2020 training”, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) acknowledged in an updated regulation released 22 April 2024 that the methods of GCP training should also be adapted to align with local and global practices and trends and accepted virtual trainings as a method to teach first time GCP training. SA GCP V3 will be updated soon.

Q: How is this change affecting GCP training outside South Africa?

For any company or student that does not reside or plan to work in clinical trial in South Africa, there is no change in how you enrol and complete our course online in your own time and at your own pace. You need to enrol in Foundation and Beyond the clinical research journey course and select your country and you will only complete the fully online course and obtain your ICH GCP certification.

Q: How does TASK Research Academy GCP training work in South Africa?

As of 1 June 2024: Organizations and students that reside or plan to work in clinical trials in South Africa and who also needs SA GCP training for the FIRST TIME must attend a virtual workshop on SA GCP . TASK Research Academy will host one or more virtual workshops every month. Refer to our calendar on the website for dates and times or contact academy@task.org.za If you need REFRESHER GCP training, you can enrol at any time and do our course online, no workshop is needed

Q: What are the requirements to attend the SA GCP virtual workshop of TASK Research Academy ?

As of 1 June 2024, our SA GCP training has two parts. Part 1 – register, pay and enrol into Foundations and Beyond the clinical research journey at any time. Complete the online pre-workshop course at your own time and pace. Be mindful of when the next virtual workshop is, to ensure you have completed the course in time for part 2. Part 2 – any and all students that completed the pre-course previously can join the next available workshop at no extra cost. Be sure you show up on time – dates and times of workshops is up on the website or contact academy@task.org.za for the next available workshop date. NOTE: You must compete the course and attend the full workshop to be able to obtain your ICH and SA GCP certification

Q: What happens if I miss the workshop of Task Research Academy?

No problem. You can attend the next available workshop, but you will not be able to get your certificate until after the workshop. You do not register for a workshop. You just click on the ZOOM link provided. We will update the date and time to indicate the next workshop, You use the same link for every workshop.

Q: Do I need to do the workshop if I obtained my first time ICH and SA GCP certification before 1 June?

No. The SAHPRA regulations are effective from 1 June 2024 only. If you enrol for first time, SA GCP training from 1 June 2024 onwards you have to attend the virtual workshops in order to obtain GCP certification.

Q: How much do I need to pay for the workshop?

The workshop is for FREE! You enrol and pay online for Foundations and Beyond the clinical research journey. This price includes the workshop and there is no additional charges

Q: How do I register for the workshop?

You do not register for the SA GCP workshop. Go to our website (courses) Select your country: South Africa Enrol and pay for Foundations and Beyond the clinical research journey Diarise the date and time of our first available workshop in that month Complete the course online in your own time, but BEFORE the start of the workshop On the date and time of the workshop, click on the provided ZOOM link Arrive in time and attend the full workshop Attempt the test during the workshop Obtain ICH and SA GCP certification If you missed the workshop, diarise the next date and time of the next workshop and attend by using the same link.

Q: Is this just box-ticking compliance training?

No. TASK Academy courses are NOT your typical “death by Powerpoint” compliance training. While our courses encompass all the ICH GCP and SA GCP principles required to work in clinical research, they offer so much more! They are engaging and interactive, and contextualise lessons within the full life cycle of a mock Phase III trial. You will see the bigger picture, and learn how a trial is developed, set up, conducted, and closed and everything in between.

Q: Are there any prerequisites for the courses?

You must be able to read and understand standard business English. You do not have to have any experience in clinical research. You do not have to have a Good Clinical Practice certificate.