The trend among pharmaceutical companies is to outsource activities which are not part of their "core business". This trend is essentially driven by a significant increase in regulatory requirements and the desire to make economies of scale in an increasingly competitive environment. The distribution of products used in clinical studies is no exception to this rule.

Requirements

However, the distribution of products used in clinical studies is subject to extremely strict controls and there is a lot at stake for laboratory representatives. The smallest error can have incalculable consequences for the future of a drug. This is why it is crucial that all factors relating to distribution processes, however closely, are subject to the strictest quality control. The US (FDA - 21 CFR) and European (EMEA - Eudralex Vol. 10) legislation cannot be more explicit on this subject.

Eumedica solution

Eumedica may be regarded as a pioneer in outsourced and centralised distribution of clinical trial packs. Since 2002 we have been the European distribution centre for a multinational in the world top 10 in the pharmaceutical industry. At that time, this company decided to rationalise the distribution of products used in its clinical trials and was looking for a reliable partner who could:

• guarantee a service which complies with all the legal requirements
• be capable of changing as its requirements changed
• offer a personalised service
• perform these services in the context of distribution throughout Europe and even further afield

Relying on this experience and after the most rigorous selection process, in 2007 we convinced another top 10 multinational in the pharmaceutical industry to let us manage the distribution of products used in their clinical trials throughout Europe. Our objective is to guarantee our customers high added value services, relying on:

• optimised, flexible processes
• continuous, rigorous checks by our Quality Assurance Department
• centralised management of distribution processes throughout Europe
• over seven years' expertise in the international distribution of clinical trial packs
• new, specially designed equipment for distribution of clinical trial packs

and in this way help to develop new drugs more rapidly.