Direct-to-Patient, or DtP, is a clinical trial logistics model in which investigational medicinal products, trial materials or other approved items are delivered directly to a trial participant rather than requiring every activity to take place at a traditional clinical site.
DHL Group is also investing €2 billion globally through 2030 to expand its life sciences and healthcare logistics capabilities, with 25% of the investment allocated to Asia Pacific. The programme covers infrastructure, technology, temperature-controlled logistics and specialised healthcare supply chain capabilities.
Recruiting participants is only the first step. Keeping them engaged throughout a study is equally important for timelines, statistical power and the reliability of research outcomes
Participant retention remains a major challenge in clinical research. Dropout rates of around 25–30% are commonly reported, although rates vary considerably between studies. Participants may leave for many reasons, including health, treatment burden, scheduling, personal commitments and logistical challenges such as travel.
DtP can help reduce some of this burden when the protocol and local regulations allow.
DHL Health Logistics provides the professional bridge between your laboratory and the participant. We understand that a courier is often the only face of the trial that a patient sees, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Regulators are continuously updating their rules to support decentralised models. While the global ICH E6(R3) guidelines mandate a Quality by Design (QbD) approach to safeguard clinical data, local implementation in Thailand relies strictly on national Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) decrees and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliance.
Our investment in digital tools ensures you have a full thermal audit trail. This level of transparency is a requirement for satisfying regulatory expectations in 2026.
Importing and distributing investigational products can involve different requirements in each market. For DtP trials operating across Thailand and other APAC countries, sponsors need to consider local regulatory requirements, customs procedures and product-specific conditions before shipments move.
From high-value goods and electronics to medical equipment, DHL Express brings industry expertise and tailored shipping solutions to meet your specific requirements.
Speak with a specialist
Moving an IMP outside a controlled clinical site increases the importance of cold-chain integrity, visibility and chain of custody.
For temperature-sensitive products, the required solution depends on the product and route. DHL's Thailand cold-chain guidance notes that passive packaging typically provides around 96–120 hours of hold time, while active systems can maintain temperature with continued power or re-icing.
A DtP logistics solution may include:
DHL's Direct-to- and From-Patient solutions include temperature-controlled transportation, smart sensors, 24/7 monitoring and blinded shipping options for clinical trial materials.
Security, privacy and correct handover are essential when investigational products are delivered to a participant's home. Delivery processes should help ensure that the shipment reaches the verified participant or another authorised recipient while maintaining confidentiality.
DtP logistics does not always end when a shipment reaches the participant.
Trials may also require biological samples, unused IMPs, devices or packaging to travel back to a laboratory, investigator site or another authorised location.
DHL's clinical trial solutions include direct delivery to participants, collection of samples and management of returns using pre-conditioned packaging where required.
Direct-to-Patient logistics is no longer just a future concept. It’s the best way to improve the patient experience and protect the integrity of your valuable data. DHL Health Logistics is ready to help you scale your research across Thailand and the wider APAC region.
Check your trial plan and reach your participants with confidence and care!
Direct-to-Patient is a logistics model in which medicines, products or approved trial materials are delivered directly to participants at home or another authorised location. This makes it much easier for patients, especially those in rural areas, to stay in the study while maintaining their daily routines.
These 2026 guidelines require sponsors to use a Quality by Design approach. For trials in Thailand, this means you must have verifiable, digital proof that your investigational products remained stable and secure throughout the entire journey to the patient.
We use real-time IoT sensors inside the shipment that transmit live location and thermal data to a central dashboard. This ensures you and our teams receive an immediate alert if the shipment ever deviates from its required temperature range.
Yes, but it requires a partner with deep expertise in handling the specific local medical licenses and import regulations in each country. Using a standardised digital platform ensures your data and processes remain consistent and comparable across diverse markets like Thailand and the Philippines.
Yes, absolutely. Our couriers perform a strict, verified delivery protocol. This includes checking the participant's official ID to ensure the sensitive medication is handed directly to the correct, authorised person.
Share
