In 2006, the Enabling Project identified insurance as a significant concern for the Cancer Cooperative Trial Groups to initiating investigator-initiated clinical trials. The COSA Umbrella Insurance Scheme arose from the need to develop a cost effective means for the management of clinical trials insurance with certainty of cover for the Cancer Cooperative Trial Groups (CCTGs). This initiative has been achieved through the development of a single comprehensive insurance policy to cover the clinical trials activities of the CCTGs. Nine Cancer Cooperative Trial Groups agreed to participate in the Scheme. The participating Groups are AGITG, ALTG, ANZBCTG, ANZCHOG, ANZGOG, ANZMTG, ANZUP, ASSG & TROG.
Inception of the COSA Umbrella Insurance Scheme for the participating Cancer Cooperative Trial Groups took place on 1 June 2009. A governance process has been developed and a strategy will be put in place to minimise and manage risk. The initiation of the Umbrella Clinical trials Insurance Scheme represents an important step towards providing a cost effective, simplified and more streamlined approach to the management of insurance for clinical trials within Australia.