Privacy Policy

CSS Informatics is a PPD, Inc. company.

PPD is committed to respecting the privacy of individuals. We recognize that when you choose to provide us with information about yourself, you trust PPD to act in a responsible manner. PPD has enacted internal procedures to repeatedly review and monitor the use of this information to ensure it is used responsibly and complies with internationally recognized standards of privacy protection. Such international standards include but are not limited to the European Union Data Protection Directive [EC/95/46] and the U.S. Department of Commerce Safe Harbor Agreement. Internationally recognized standards require that the processing of personal data, both automated and manual, meet the following data protection principles:

Data has fair and lawful processing
Data is obtained only for specified and lawful purposes and is not processed in any incompatible manner
Data use is adequate and relevant but not excessive
Data is kept current (where necessary) and accurate
Data is not kept longer than necessary
Data processing is in accordance with the rights of Data Subjects
Data is protected by appropriate security measures
Data is not transferred to third parties unless adequate level of data protection exists

Purposes of Data Processing
Data Collection
Data Processing
Data Security
Release, Sharing or Transference of Data
Links to Third Party Web Sites
Cookies
Children's Online Privacy Policy
Training
Inquiries, Complaints and Subject Access Requests
Privacy Policy Changes

Purposes of Data Processing

PPD processes personal data for specific and limited purposes, about which we inform you when we request information.

Data Collection

Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date and all communications with individuals provide easy means of validating, correcting errors and updating information.

• Processing investigator data to identify and contact individuals that may be interested in clinical trial participation in accordance with their experience and specialty. Investigators selected to conduct clinical trials may also be required to provide additional information so they can receive appropriate reimbursement for their participation.

• Processing individual subject data for participation in certain clinical trials (studies conducted in PPD Phase I clinics), and in some instances, in order to assist in patient recruitment.

• Processing employee data to enable accurate record maintenance on all employees in regards to performance documentation, payroll and other items.

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Data Processing

All processing of personal data is, by consent, for the purposes listed above and under the control of the Data Controller. Individuals have the right to obtain copies of their data, correct their data, prevent processing for direct marketing, withdraw consent to processing with its consequential effects, prevent non-core purpose disclosures, prevent trans-border disclosures to third parties where there are inadequate data protection arrangements.

To access personal information held and request corrections, amendments and/or delete that information where it is inaccurate, please refer to the "Inquiries, Complaints and Subject Access Requests" section of this policy.

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Data Security

PPD maintains a high level of security, particularly in relation to data. Computer equipment, networks, programs, data and documentation is maintained to a high standard, and access to data and equipment is at all times restricted to appropriate staff.

The handling of medical information obtained in clinical research is governed by national and international data protection regulations and medical confidentiality. Any medical information collected will be maintained under these regulations.

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Release, Sharing or Transference of Data

The information you provide to us will be available to PPD, Inc., its subsidiaries and companies working as agents of PPD. Access to data and equipment is at all times restricted to appropriate staff. PPD will not trade, sell, release, share or transfer your personal information for use by any business outside the PPD organization without your consent, or in a form other than what was disclosed to you at the time the information is collected, unless permitted or required by law.

Companies working as agents of PPD or clinical trial sponsors (such as pharmaceutical companies) are required to sign confidentiality agreements agreeing to handle all confidential information containing personal data in accordance with applicable law, including but not limited to, the European Data Protection Directive [EC/95/46].

PPD is a global company and has information databases in different offices throughout the world. PPD may transfer your data to one of its databases outside your country of domicile. If the level of privacy protection in a country does not comply with recognized international standards, PPD will ensure that data transfers to PPD databases in that country are adequately protected.

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Links to Third Party Web Sites

Some of our Web pages may contain links to Web sites outside of the PPD, Inc. organization. Linked Web sites are not under the control of or endorsed by PPD. This policy does not apply to linked Web sites outside the PPD organization. It is recommended that you review the privacy policy of each individually linked Web site that you choose to visit.

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Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the hard drive of your computer. PPD may enable temporary cookies to allow site visitors to easily move from one interactive feature to another, offering visitors a better experience while navigating the PPD Corporate Internet site. However, if an individual is not using any part of the PPD Web site that requires "signing in," there will be no cookies activated during that individual's visit. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site, unless you explicitly provide that information to us.

Cookies can also enable us to track and target your interests to enhance the experience on our site. They are used to create a profile and can be used for such purposes as notifying you of relevant trade shows or symposia, but only if you opt-in to this feature. Visitors will always be given the choice and the information will not be sold to other organizations.

We receive IP addresses in the normal course of the operation of our Web site. An IP address is a number assigned to you by your Internet service provider so you can access the Internet. We do not use them to personally identify you or disclose them to others.

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Children's Online Privacy Protection

PPD does not collect or maintain information from our Web site from individuals we actually know are under the age of 13, and no part of our Web site is structured to attract anyone under 13 years.

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Training

PPD has provided its employees with appropriate training to ensure that all those who process personal data are fully aware of their individual responsibilities and of management's objectives with respect to data protection.  

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Inquiries, Complaints and Subject Access Requests

All communications, queries and Subject Access Requests related to Data Protection issues, should be addressed to

Attention: Data Privacy Officer
PPD, Inc.
929 North Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401-3331 USA

You may also submit an electronic request for action or response on behalf of PPD. Using reasonable efforts, PPD will promptly respond to any communications regarding our use of personal information. For unresolved disputes between PPD and complainants, PPD has agreed to co-operate with the European Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) dispute resolution procedures.

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Privacy Policy Changes

PPD reserves the right to modify or amend this privacy policy. For instance, this privacy policy may need to change as new legislation is introduced or as it is amended .Changes to PPD's privacy policy will be posted on this Web site. We recommend that you review this policy from time to time.