Michelle Devine

Managing clinical trial supplies is one of the most complex aspects of running global trials. From forecasting and packaging to logistics and regulatory compliance, effective inventory management requires strategic oversight and cross-functional collaboration.

When trials span multiple regions, the complexity grows exponentially. Recent industry studies suggest that up to 30% of clinical trial delays are linked to supply chain and inventory challenges, and wastage of investigational products can cost pharmaceutical companies millions annually. Key challenges include accurate demand forecasting across sites with variable enrolment rates, tracking stock across multiple depots / clinical sites, and expiry and lot rotation management to minimise waste.

In this session, we will explore strategies to address these challenges, including:

• Centralised visibility through integrated inventory management systems
• Automated lot and expiry tracking to ensure regulatory compliance and minimise waste
• Strategic buffer stock and predictive replenishment models