RTSM technology has evolved
to let the science lead
EVOLUTION OF RTSM TECHNOLOGY AND TERMINOLOGY
1980s
In the 1980s, patient-numbered kit labels were shipped to all sites in (generally) fully blocks corresponding to the full course of treatments for a study. The sheer quantity of supply wasted in this method by non-enrolling sites, sites that didn’t fill up randomization blocks, and patient dropouts, was staggering.
1990s
In the 1990s, the first clinical IVR systems (Interactive Voice Response Systems) were developed in order to randomize patients over the phone, and later, to dispense drug and resupply sites as well. For the first time, all patient kits could be interchangeable for any other equivalent kit.
2000s
In the early 2000s, with the advent of the internet,
the first parameter-driven, web-based (Interactive Web Response Systems) were born. Now there were two widely used terms, IVRS and IWRS, to describe these systems depending on their modality (phone vs. web).
To add to the complication, if an organization used both IVRS and IWRS, the term IxRS was coined to imply either/or. Having said that, the most widely used term today for these systems is IRT (Interactive Response Technologies). IRT is considered more of an umbrella term that encompasses all modalities (voice, web and even mobile).
Historically, IRT was used primarily for randomization and getting drug to the site. Over the years, it became apparent that supply management was just as critical as randomization and the combined action of them together elevates the function of this system. They are synergistic and need to co-exist. It also helps to bridge the siloes between clinical and supply organizations.
There is a treasure-trove of data housed in RTSM systems that can be used to streamline and accelerate clinical trials – both operationally and to enable supply chain optimization. As trials become more complex, it is more important than ever for clinical and supply to be connected.
Along with the terminology evolution, technology has also evolved in tandem. 4G’s use of modern technologies in clinical trials delivers a fully cloud-based, 100% configurable RTSM using natural language processing.
Revolutionized Study Build
