Combine data science, technology, and analytics driven by artificial intelligence to support new efficiencies and business insights -- without additional capital investment.
Interactive Response Technology (IRT) is a powerful tool for managing key aspects of the patient journey in clinical trials like randomization and drug dispensation. It is also equally as important when it comes to optimizing the clinical supply chain. Clinical studies have become increasingly complex. Driven by the increased use of technology over the years, they are generating more data than ever before. IRT must evolve to respond to this new clinical trial landscape. IRT innovations are needed for the useful application of data across multiple systems, the automation and streamlining of the patient journey, and the optimization of the clinical supply chain. Clinical technologies like IRT also need to easily adapt to evolving clinical trial protocols while enabling the efficient dispensation of the right drug to the right patient at the right time.
Using real time IRT data for the predictive analysis of both short-term drug needs at sites and long-term drug needs across country, regional and global supply networks allows for the optimization of clinical supply management at the site level while highlighting and mitigating risks to the supply network. The ability to apply predictive data analytic tools to data that indicates the daily supply needs at sites makes it possible to design an optimal supply strategy that reduces the waste of costly clinical supplies, reduces the need for excess shipments and the need for manual oversight. This not only reduces costs significantly but promotes a more efficient, environmentally friendly running of trials, helping sponsors achieve sustainability goals.
As you can see, the ability to optimize clinical supply is critical, but so is the ability to mitigate trial supply stock-outs. Not having the right drug available for a patient at the site will result in protocol deviations, potential issues with patient safety and risks of losing the patient. Even worse, if a stock out happens in the supply network, it could result in a trial pause and an expensive study extension.
In the past, mitigating stock out risks in the face of highly uncertainty clinical recruitment usually led to a high quantity of ‘safety stock’ kept at sites which forced frequent shipments that included small quantities of clinical supply. On average, two-thirds of that supply was wasted at the end of the trial with only one-third being dispensed to patients.
Why is it more important than ever to optimize clinical trial supply – reducing or even eliminating excessive waste and shipment costs? The sharp rise in gas prices and high inflation make optimizing shipping and energy costs an economic imperative. Additionally, trials are experiencing shortages in raw materials and labor – making the conservation of effort and supplies essential. These and many other recent increases in supply chain pressure must be offset.
Using technology to ensure the optimization of shipments & IP resources, consistently and without additional labor or oversight supports sustainability goals while reducing cost and effort.
The real-time nature of IRT data makes it ideal to leverage in the creation of predictive analytics and proactive measures that reduce the need for excess shipments and IP waste. By re-evaluating and assigning the most optimal supply strategy for every site, every day, our Supply Automation Value Engine (SAVE) automates resupply decision-making in IRT. To minimize risk, waste, cost and effort, SAVE uses real-time IRT data to drive simple, automated configurations of intelligent supply chain optimization. Through SAVE, we assist our partners in reducing clinical team effort and reducing transportation and IP costs.
Interested in learning more about IQVIA’s IRT capabilities or our drug supply optimization tools, check out our site or reach out to schedule a demo.
Stefan has worked in IRT for 16 years and has been with Cenduit IRT, an IQVIA business, since its inception in 2007. He has worked in various project management roles including leading the global project management team at Cenduit. Stefan currently is responsible for client delivery of key customer accounts and heads the Cenduit drug supply center of excellence. He is very passionate about finding innovative solutions for clinical supply challenges. Stefan holds a Master of Science in molecular biology and an international executive MBA of the University of St. Gallen.
Combine data science, technology, and analytics driven by artificial intelligence to support new efficiencies and business insights -- without additional capital investment.
Ease the burden on your sites and make it easier and more appealing for patients to enroll and remain engaged.
Technology informed by unparalleled Decentralized Trials (DCT) operational experience and delivered at global scale.
Power your decentralized trial with an agile randomization and trial supply management solution that supports supply flexibility and optimization as well as adaptable direct to patient options.