Alma Bax 
Clinical trials are critical for medical research and the development of new medicines. A clinical trial’s success, on the other hand, is based on several things, including effective supply chain management.
The clinical trial supply chain has seen significant changes in recent years, with new technologies, patient-centric methods, and globalization influencing clinical trials.
This article will examine how technology can help globalize clinical trials and some anticipated future trends and projections for the clinical trial supply chain. Read on.
1. Patient Recruitment
Mobile communications can help with patient recruitment, a significant issue in clinical studies. Distance issues can be overcome, and clinical trials can reach underserved groups in remote places as long as there is a solid link.
Significantly, you can source for a developer who understands CRO services and can deliver clinical trial solutions that can help accelerate patient recruitment and patient engagement in clinical trials.
Furthermore, project developers can use social media’s pervasiveness to boost outreach and recruitment of trial participants from diverse groups, including historically underserved populations.
2. Advancements in Clinical Trial Supply Chain
Technology has significantly aided in the simplification of the clinical trial supply chain. For example, electronic data capture (EDC) technologies have replaced paper-based methods, reducing errors and increasing efficiency.
Other technologies, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) and barcoding, have improved inventory management and tracking.
Future technical developments include using blockchain to enhance supply chain security and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve supply chain management, among other things.
3. Patient-Centric Trials
A paradigm shift in how clinical trials are done has occurred recently due to increased patient-centric studies.
Breakthrough technologies have been critical in the transition to a patient-centric model. Patients are encouraged to participate in these trials, made possible by considerable investments in digital technology.
With this paradigm, smaller trials are possible, and disruptive technologies such as wearables and mHealth have contributed to the shift in trial design. Clinical researchers provide participants with phones or applications that manage enrollment, drug administration, and follow-up.
4. Clinical Trials Awareness
The Internet has been critical in providing people with access to scientific and medical information, allowing up to four out of every five Americans to be aware of clinical trials.
Entering clinical trials begins with raising patient awareness to increase the cultural and ethnic diversity of patients. Because the Internet is one of the fastest means of communication outreach, it could effectively generate knowledge of clinical trial developments in desirable research locations. These include emerging countries such as EMEA, South America, and Eastern Europe.
Sponsors could give information on clinical trials, supplementing the medical information already available through academic institutions and patient organizations. This would provide patients with enough information in those areas to become aware and, eventually, make more educated decisions about participation in clinical research.
Aside from the Internet, patient-facing technology such as smartphones and other mobile devices are already in use and effective in delivering clinical trial information to a broader population.
According to a 2019 study on the use of patient-facing technologies in clinical trials, respondents (pharma reps, CROs, sites, and independent consultants) felt that “the use of patient-facing technologies helped widen the pool of trial participants, increase retention, improve data quality, and improve the overall patient experience.”
5. Remote Monitoring
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity for social distancing to reduce disease spread, remote monitoring has become a specific focus of trials. Researchers are increasingly using remote site access and monitoring techniques.
Remote monitoring can lower clinical trial costs, make studies more efficient and less demanding for participants, and provide a more comprehensive understanding of patient behaviors and circumstances.
6. Decentralized Clinical Trials
Decentralized clinical trials necessitate considerable changes to traditional trial procedures. These next-generation trials are inextricably related to the advent of technology, such as telemedicine and mobile devices, which both sites and participants can access.
They are also known as virtual trials because some of the studies’ visits are conducted remotely at the convenience of the participant’s home.
However, there are risks with these decentralized trials, such as patient compliance and participant technological knowledge. Still, this clinical trial overcomes barriers such as logistics, transportation, and access to remote populations, which would otherwise impede trial global expansion.
7. Patient Data Capturing
Mobile devices, smartphone-based apps, and wearable medical technologies all have the potential to improve patient data capture significantly.
Patient data is essential in clinical trials because it influences research paths and therapeutic outcomes. Wearable gadgets aid in data monitoring automation, and the usage of central data centers collect a lot of data that would otherwise be difficult to capture.
Organizations may check data statistically, and relevant information can be accessed electronically from numerous locations.
Improving clinical data and increasing patient participation improves trial efficiency. The Internet of Things, virtual reality, machine learning, and smart sensors are among more technologies that can help improve clinical trials through data collecting.
Bottomline
Finally, the clinical trial supply chain is changing dramatically, with new technology, patient-centric methods, globalization, and sustainability impacting clinical trials.
To ensure the success of clinical trials and the creation of novel therapies, healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical corporations must adapt to these forthcoming developments. We can develop a more efficient, effective, and ethical clinical trial supply chain by embracing new technology, concentrating on patient requirements, working across borders, and supporting sustainable practices.
Consider attending Clinical Trial Supply Chain Conferences to learn more about the newest clinical trial supply chain management advancements. These conferences bring together industry executives, researchers, and regulators to discuss ideas and best practices for streamlining supply chains and furthering medical research.
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