As the global clinical trial supply and logistics market continues to grow to support increasing pharma R&D, there is a resulting demand to drive down cost in the supply chain.

The VAT and customs implications of clinical trials are commonly overlooked, as the focus is largely on product sourcing requirements, temperature control, local regulatory requirements and decentralized trial setup. Taking a tactical approach can significantly reduce VAT and customs challenges, making the budget stretch further.

This article addresses key considerations for VAT across Europe in the supply chain, in addition to five key cost optimisation takeaways.