The study, set for an immediate start, will include assessments of study-drug forecasting, design and cost reduction opportunities with experts from both large and small drug companies canvassed for their opinions.
BioClinica's Jim Dorsey told Outsourcing-Pharma: “Most companies lack the information to compare their practices and results. Specifically, there are few if any published standards to measure against and without such metrics it is difficult or impossible to build a case for change.”
Optimisation
According to Dorsey, the study aims to document the tools and practices that produce the most effective results, allowing trial sponsors and managers to see where cost savings can be made by streamlining their clinical trial processes.
“Today, many companies manage the challenge of forecasting supplies for clinical trials using home-grown tools and or spreadsheets,” he said, “Often this function may not be carried out in a centralised or consistent fashion.
“Additionally the forecasting process can be disconnected from trial planning, product manufacturing and the actual trial execution. This results in waste, stockouts and may even jeopardise a trial in extreme cases.”
Collaboration
Over the course of their collaboration, Paragon will conduct all study-related tasks, including interviews, surveys and data analysis, with BioClinica acting as both sponsor and promoter by ensuring a sufficient sampling of sponsor companies.
Once completed, the company will use data from what it has provisionally titled the“2011 Clinical Supply Management Benchmark Study” to create an industry white paper detailing its recommendations.
Peter Benton, VP of eclinical solutions for BioClinica, said:“Our industry currently lacks meaningful benchmarks for clinical supply chain management. BioClinica anticipates that these study findings will help to set new standards and approaches for trial sponsors and managers looking to find cost savings and create further efficiencies.”