Three Clinical Supply Trends in 2026 Sites Can’t Afford to Ignore

1. Packaging Delays Create Downstream Risks

Clinical trial sites often bear the brunt when packaging and distribution are deprioritized against sponsor timelines. Delays in packaging create a domino effect, forcing staff to scramble, reschedule visits, and manage patient frustrations.

A recent Vizient survey found that , underscoring how supply chain interruptions ripple through patient care (“New Vizient Survey Finds Drug Shortages Cost Hospitals Nearly $900M Annually in Labor Expenses,” Vizient, 2025, vizientinc.com). In clinical research, supply disruptions are still more than twice as frequent as pre-pandemic, with 11.5% of organizations reporting at least 10 disruptions annually (“Supply Chains in Clinical Research: Disruptions Are Easing, But New Problems Emerge,” Imperial Clinical Research Services, 2024, imperialcrs.com).

Projection: Sites will no longer select large packaging partners who cannot ensure their critical milestones are met due to shifting focus and timelines. Mid-size packaging partners with flexibility and reliability in their packaging queues will become the trusted partners in clinical trial packaging runs.

2. Simplifying Vendor Coordination for Overstretched Site Teams

Managing multiple vendors across sourcing, packaging, and delivery adds layers of complexity and risk. Each handoff increases the likelihood of shipment delays, incorrect kit content, or errors that site staff must absorb.

The clinical trial supply and logistics industry is steadily moving toward integrated, end-to-end service models that consolidate manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and distribution under a single provider (“Clinical Trial Supply and Logistics Market Strategic Outlook 2025–35,” Newstrail, 2025, newstrail.com; “Clinical Trial Supply and Logistics Market Report,” Grand View Research, 2024, grandviewresearch.com).

Projection: Sites will no longer tolerate fragmented clinical supply networks. Integrated partnerships that simplify operations and remove unnecessary handoffs will become the industry standard.

3. Predictable Supply as a Patient Retention Strategy

For clinical trial sites, supply predictability directly impacts patient trust and retention. When treatments are delayed, rescheduled, or unavailable, patients lose confidence and are more likely to discontinue participation.

Clinical trial dropout rates range from 15% to 40%, with a commonly cited average of 30% (“Understanding Clinical Trial Patient Attrition,” Scout Clinical, 2024; “Understanding Clinical Trial Patient Attrition,” Clinical Leader, 2023, scoutclinical.com; “The Challenge of Patient Dropout and How to Prevent It,” Medix, 2024, medixteam.com). The financial burden is significant: the average cost to recruit one participant is $6,533, and replacing a dropped-out participant can cost as much as $19,500 (“The True Cost of Patient Drop-Outs in Clinical Trials,” mdgroup, 2023, mdgroup.com; “Understanding Clinical Trial Patient Attrition,” Scout Clinical, 2024, scoutclinical.com; “Unique Considerations for Patient Retention in Decentralized Clinical Trials,” ACRP, 2023, acrpnet.org).