THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

We had the opportunity to present our paper, “Optimizing SAS Programming Pipelines Using the %Unpack and %SearchReplace Macros for Version Control and Customization”, written by Ning Ning, Statistical Programmer I, and Assir Abushouk, Manager, Statistical Programming, at PharmaSUG 2025 in San Diago. The presentation focused on a practical SAS macro program we developed to address common challenges in clinical programming, particularly around version control, customization, and study startup efficiency in CROs.

PROMETRIKA’s Biostatics and Statistical Programming teams continually seek new and innovative ways to address the many functions of data analysis in clinical research. Our statistical programmers have had numerous successes in researching and developing new programs and methods that reduce time and steps in analyses.

In a CRO environment, managing Data Management programming requests presents significant challenges, including prioritization, resource planning, and timely delivery of results. There are a set of recurring tasks, coming from multiple sponsors, with varying frequencies and updates needed. Programmers need a way to keep these tasks organized and to optimize the work flow.

Recently, while performing CDISC SDTM mapping for one of our clients, a unique situation arose that involved the DA (Drug Accountability) domain.  This domain tabulates the amount of treatment units dispensed to a subject and the amount returned to gauge dosing compliance for each treated subject and is often collected in a log format.  On the surface, it seems like a fairly straight forward domain, but for this particular example, there were a number of factors that contributed to creating a complex scenario.