John Noble notes the difference in size between large drug companies and CROs. One obvious characteristic is the size of the operation. Most CROs are small. Clinical work includes implementing the sponsor's research design and monitoring clinical trials. Judith Dien says drug firms can save with clinical research.
Many pharmaceutical companies have CRAs on staff, as do some of the larger CROs.
But CRAs also may work as freelancers, contracting with pharmaceutical companies or CROs. A full-service CRO will be able to provide all of these benefits to a client. However, most CROs are not full-service. Some individual full-service providers are establishing 'centers of excellence,' focusing on several particular fields, such as neurology, cardiovascular studies, infectious diseases, and so on. Using a CRO offers certain advantages to a drug company.