Small changes can have a big impact on the overall success of a clinical trial, having a significant effect on the clinical supply chain and even putting it at risk. Here are 4 factors that can have a knock-on effect on your clinical supply chain.
Delays in Manufacture, Procurement and/or Packaging
It can be frustrating when hit with manufacturing, procurement and packaging problems potentially beyond your control. This may be down limited resources, stock shortages, low yields further up the line or planning delays leading to the supply chain being put at risk. Here, it’s important to prepare should any of these scenarios arise; a plan should be put together to address the problem.
Another solution to preparing for packaging delays should they arise, is to split packaging into multiple, smaller campaigns and twin your packaging strategy with any specific supply challenges; e.g. batch (lot) sizes for comparators.
At Client-Pharma, we provide solutions to ensure your clinical trials are managed as efficiently as possible, and take steps in planning and tackling changes to the supply chain should these issues arise.
Sites and Locations
Adding new locations to a clinical trial can lead to further problems with a trial down the line, however this, again, can be tackled to ensure risk is reduced. If a clinical trial has to adapt to include another country or location, this can stretch the supply, meaning quantities may be drained and budget may be overspent. Again, it’s a good idea to plan ahead in clinical trials to allow for such changes to happen, as well as recommending that the trial adds more sites in the first place.
Talking early with your partners about the possibilities and potential changes will allow them to make better suggestions; for example, should you store material centrally, add languages that may be needed to multi-language booklet labels and ship on demand (allowing you to use your stock at any site) rather than supplying locally.
Changes to Budget
Budget cuts can have a significant impact on clinical trials – to some extent, this can be combatted by planning ahead and taking risk into account as part of your strategy. Creative planning can help to stretch the budget further – working with a partner who focuses on long term value-for-money rather than spot purchasing will always reduce your overall costs by minimising waste and start up times.
What next?
At Client-Pharma, our extensive experience in providing a global approach to clinical trials services means we plan ahead for possible changes; our strategic sourcing and supply plans ensure fast, accurate and reliable pharmaceutical supply every time. For clinical trial support or to find out more information about clinical trial services, clinical trial solutions and comparator sourcing, see our website. You can also contact us via email (info@client-pharma.com) or telephone (0044 1283 260054).
