| Jonathan Blamey and Chris Tierney of DHL Healthcare outline the challenges and responses of global clinical trials logistical operations
The clinical trial logistics market is changing, and most notable developments include an increasing need for cost effective services and improved accuracy of logistical activity. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies are responding to this in a number of ways – many are looking at specialist logistics providers for both regional and global services. Using such providers can yield significant benefits such as reduced establishment timeframes, better medication availability, improved quality of supply through active contingency planning, reduced time spent by the sponsor in managing the supply chain and improved cost effectiveness.
MARKET REQUIREMENTS
Clinical trials are becoming more complex as studies globalise and larger patient numbers are required to satisfy regulatory standards. Successful co-ordinatation of patient screening, enrolment, randomisation, study-drug distribution and inventory management is more challenging than ever. As competition to speed up the drug development process intensifies, innovative ways to increase supply chain efficiencies are key.
Efficiency of the clinical trial process and the logistics of clinical trial supplies (as well as the return of diagnostic specimens to central laboratories) is being targeted in the search for a cost effective and improved service to better meet the objectives of the clinical trial. |
