Clinical Logistics – Meeting The 21st Century Cures Challenge

By Wes Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer and Ariette van Strien, Chief Commercial Officer

Numerous changes in the pharmaceutical industry have affected the nature of clinical trials, which in turn have led to the evolution of systems used for the supply of clinical trial materials.

Today, both large biopharmaceutical companies and emerging pharma/biotech firms rely on clinical logistics organizations (CLOs) to ensure the seamless flow of shipments and information, and reduce waste and inefficiencies in the global supply chain. With the rise of evidence-based medicine and a patient-centric industry focus, however, improving efficiencies is no longer sufficient. Successful CLOs must employ state-of-the-art information, inventory, temperature control and other technological systems to provide patient-focused delivery of clinical trial materials to any location in the world, on time and within specifications.