Are you involved in a civil lawsuit in the pharmaceutical field and don't know how to defend yourself? (CTU)

In this article we will explain who the CTU is and what it does , a fundamental professional in a civil case in the pharmaceutical field.

The Office Technical Consultant , or CTU, is a professional figure that can be covered by different categories of professionals. This is a court consultant , who carries out tasks as an auxiliary to the judge, offering his collaboration in the activities of ascertaining the facts relevant to the trial.

The acronym CTU can be used interchangeably both to indicate the consultant and for the appraisals and office technical consultancy provided.

The CTU is appointed by the judge, at the request of the parties or ex officio, to provide technical answers and expert reports, as concise and exhaustive as possible, with the ultimate aim of facilitating the judge's formulation of the final decision.

The expert witness is chosen through a special register kept at the court , which collects the names of those individuals with such professional skills as to be able to carry out the activity of consultants.

To become a CTU you need:

be in possession of specific skills in a specific technical area;
be registered in good standing with the Chamber of Commerce or with the relevant Professional Association ;
possess skills and qualifications capable of attesting to the abilities relating to the consultancy activity;
have excellent moral conduct;
know the dynamics and regulations regarding civil proceedings.

In the pharmaceutical field , CTUs can be called upon to carry out different types of consultancy, including:

Safety evaluation of a new drug
Analysis of the causes of an accident caused by a drug
Evaluation of the liability of a pharmaceutical company
Defense consultancy in a civil case

CTUs must be qualified professionals with experience in the pharmaceutical sector.

They must have a deep understanding of pharmacology, toxicity and pharmacovigilance.

Additionally, they must be able to clearly and concisely communicate their findings to the judge.

In this regard, it is important to underline that the CTUs also carry out the same activities under the acronym CTP or Party Technical Consultant who supports a CTU and represents one of the two parties in a legal dispute in a civil case or in an arbitration at a Chamber of Commerce.