Roles and Responsibilities of Specialized Clinical Supply Experts

When selecting a clinical supply provider, consideration often focuses upon the manufacturing, packaging, storage and distribution capabilities available that will, at face-value, be sufficient to meet the needs of the sponsor and their trial. However, there are human-based and knowledge-driven factors that are often overlooked that go beyond these basic physical capabilities and are integral to the development and delivery of high performing clinical supply chains. Having a team of individuals with specialized expertise in different areas of clinical supply—including protocol review and early operational planning, to managing the development and execution of a sound clinical supply strategy—can prove invaluable to the overall suitability and performance of the supply chain, and in turn, the successful execution of the study itself.