Clinical supplies & logistics


The world of supply chain management involves a myriad of sourcing strategies, but clinical trials have very specific needs, which can differ depending on the structure and design of each trial. Jim Banks speaks to Joab Williamson, clinical supply chain manager at Faron Pharmaceuticals, to find out what must be considered to ensure an effective sourcing strategy for a clinical trial.


Optimal supply T


he nature of clinical trials is changing fast. Not only are there more trials underway than ever before, but they are increasingly complex and are more frequently performed in a decentralised way, with participants now less likely to attend a single site. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the trend toward decentralisation, and that, along with the fast-tracked vaccine trials for the disease, had the benefit of proving that shorter timelines were achievable. But it also added pressure to the supply chain, with active ingredients for pharmaceuticals needing to be sourced more efficiently than ever.


Whether a trial is inherently complex because of its methodology, or because of decentralisation, Joab Williamson, clinical supply chain manager at Faron Pharmaceuticals, a developer of drugs for ARDS and cancer, says it’s the design of the study that will ultimately determine the supply chain strategy. “The clinical supply chain for the study should be descended from the specific demands of a clinical trial protocol and product requirements,” he says. “Clinical trials are intended to further research, collect clinical data, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. As such, the needs of the clinical trial should be set up to focus on those objectives.” If we


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Clinical Trials Insight / www.worldpharmaceuticals.net


ZinetroN/Shutterstock.com


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