H Clinical News

Clinical trial management is a hot topic in the wake of COVID-19. As many study sponsors and CROs pivot to decentralized clinical trial (DCT) modalities, the industry gets smarter. This is because meeting trial participants at home addresses many previous study challenges. This is amplified in Latin America. The obvious benefits are boosting trial enrollment and retention. But enabling participants to stay home removes travel and financial burdens from patients who are battling illnesses and view trials as a care option. This is made possible with planning logistics for decentralized trials.

Marken president Ariette van Strien provides insight in a recent Outsourcing-Pharma. She explains why decentralized trial logistics require a smart planning strategy to be successful. Here are some reasons why planning logistics for decentralized trials is integral and what you should look for in a logistics partner such as H Clinical.

Why Logistics Planning for Decentralized Trials Is Important

“A sound logistics strategy is absolutely necessary. And we are glad to be a part of more than 80 successful DCTs in Latin America,” says Mitchell Parrish, president of H Clinical. “The article mentions direct-to-patient trials in Latin America that illustrate two important aspects of a logistics strategy. Up to 40,000 coordinated drug deliveries and visits by GCP-trained nurses for drug administration and vitals can’t be underestimated in your strategy.”

One of the reasons why enrollment is more successful with DCTs is because you can attract more participants over wider geographical areas. But a sound logistics strategy is necessary to cover vast distances and rural areas in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Precise coordination needs to be fully aligned to manage drug deliveries, nurse visits, drug administration, and communications between patients, investigators, and care providers.

What to Look for in a Logistics Partner

Partnering with a regional provider enhances every aspect of the trial management logistics strategy. Study sponsors can achieve more efficient and clear communication and reduce costs by as much as 60-90%. Plus, a diversity and inclusion policy should go beyond patient populations. Your logistics partner should provide opportunities to a diverse local workforce population. A local regional logistics partner better understands what is culturally appropriate, which enhances patient-centric experiences.

The H Clinical View

The ability to provide mobile nursing, supply procurement, and local logistics solutions such as depots and project management is key to the success of your DCT logistics strategy in Latin America. With H Clinical, you can achieve these types of logistics and infrastructure benefits from a centralized logistics partner.