Streamlining Clinical Trial Supply Management and Reporting with Drug Pooling in the IRT World

By:

Paul Kearney

Clinical Technologies Client Design Solutions Lead

Dan Ward

Clinical Technologies PA Product Manager

What is Drug Pooling?

Effective supply management and accurate reporting are vital components of successful clinical trials. In the Interactive Response Technology (IRT) domain, drug pooling has emerged as a valuable technique for optimising logistics and enhancing data visibility. By consolidating drug supplies and providing comprehensive reporting capabilities, drug pooling streamlines supply management and facilitates monitoring of shipment and depot activities. In this blog post, we will explore the practical benefits of drug pooling in the IRT world, focusing on supply management and reporting from the perspective of supply managers.

How does Drug Pooling Help Supply Management be More Efficient?

In the context of IRT, drug pooling offers supply managers several advantages in managing clinical trial supplies. Here’s how it works:

1. Centralised Inventory Management: Drug pooling establishes a centralised inventory where all study drugs are stored. This eliminates the need for separate inventories for each study in a programme, simplifying supply management.
2. Comprehensive Supply Visibility: The IRT system provides supply managers with a holistic view of drug allocation and utilisation across multiple studies within the programme. This visibility allows for optimised planning and distribution of pooled supplies.
3. Real-time Shipment Monitoring: Supply managers can monitor the movement of drug supplies in real-time, tracking shipments from the central pool of depots to individual studies and their sites. This helps ensure timely delivery and enables proactive management of any shipment issues or delays.
4. Depot Activity Tracking: The IRT system captures and records depot activities, providing supply managers with detailed information on inventory levels, drug movements, and storage conditions. This data enables effective inventory management and ensures adherence to regulatory and quality standards.

 What are the Benefits of Drug Pooling in Supply Management?

Drug pooling in the IRT world offers notable advantages for supply managers:

1. Streamlined Logistics: Centralising drug supplies simplifies logistics by eliminating the need for multiple inventories. Supply managers can efficiently allocate and distribute pooled supplies based on study requirements, reducing administrative burdens, and optimising the supply chain.
2. Enhanced Resource Utilisation: By pooling drugs, supply managers can optimise procurement and inventory management, reducing costs associated with excess or underutilised supplies. This improves resource allocation and maximises the efficiency of clinical trial operations.
3. Improved Shipment Visibility: Real-time monitoring of shipments allows supply managers to proactively address any issues that may arise during transportation. This ensures the timely delivery of study drugs to the intended sites, minimising disruptions and maintaining the continuity of trials.
4. Accurate Depot Activity Monitoring: Tracking depot activities provides supply managers with insights into inventory levels, drug movements, and storage conditions. This enables proactive management of stock levels, identification of potential bottlenecks, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

 How Does an IRT Impact Data Reporting and Insights?

In addition to supply management, the IRT system supports comprehensive data reporting for supply managers:

1. Study-specific Allocation: Supply managers can access detailed reports that indicate which study within the programme each drug shipment is allocated to. This enables accurate tracking of drug distribution and ensures that supplies are appropriately allocated to meet the needs of individual studies.
2. Shipment and Delivery Reports: The IRT system generates reports on shipment activities, providing information on delivery timelines, transit times, and any deviations from the expected schedule. This helps supply managers monitor and evaluate the efficiency of transportation logistics.
3. Depot Activity Reports: Detailed reports on depot activities offer supply managers insights into inventory movements, storage conditions, and any incidents or discrepancies. This information facilitates proactive management, enabling prompt corrective actions and ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Conclusion

Drug pooling within the IRT world empowers supply managers with streamlined supply management, real-time shipment monitoring, and comprehensive reporting capabilities. By centralising drug inventory and providing detailed visibility into drug allocation, shipment activities, and depot operations, drug pooling optimises logistics and enhances data-driven decision-making. Supply managers can effectively allocate resources, monitor shipments, and ensure the smooth functioning of clinical trials within a programme of studies. Leveraging the power of drug pooling in the IRT domain accelerates research efficiency, reduces costs, and contributes to the successful execution of clinical trials.