Day: 2 May 2025

As the demand for new treatments accelerates, so does the number of clinical trials around the world. But behind the scenes, managing clinical trials is becoming increasingly complicated. 

One of the biggest sticking points? Getting participants to stick around. 

A Big Problem That’s Getting Bigger

In early 2025, over 460,000 trials have been registered globally – a number that’s only expected to rise. 

From rare diseases to chronic conditions, pharmaceutical companies are in a high-stakes race to bring therapies to market faster than ever. 

The Stubborn Challenge of Keeping Participants Engaged 

Clinical trials don’t work without people. Volunteers are the foundation of every study, and ensuring they remain engaged throughout the trial is essential for collecting meaningful data. 

But retention is an ongoing struggle, especially when the trial process adds financial and logistical pressures to participants’ daily lives. 

For many, the hidden costs of participation are a real barrier. Transportation, missed work, childcare, even something as simple as grabbing a meal deal on the way to the clinic – all of it adds up. 

And while participants are often reimbursed, the process is rarely fast or simple. Cash-in-hand or slow bank transfers are still surprisingly common, creating friction that deters participation and drags down trial efficiency. 

The payment process is stuck in the past, and both researchers and participants are feeling the strain. 

Enter B4B Payments 

B4B Payments has carved out a space in the pharmaceutical world by offering a modern, tech-enabled solution to an old problem: how to pay trial participants quickly, securely, and transparently.

Our approach is simple. B4B provides prepaid cards that can be instantly loaded with funds after a trial visit. No waiting around, no chasing reimbursements. Just fast, trackable payments that fit into people’s lives. 

And unlike many others in the space, we don’t rely on third-party systems to deliver. As a direct issuer of prepaid cards, B4B Payments cuts out the middleman, offering tighter integration, faster turnaround, and better compliance controls. 

It’s a small change with a big impact: less administrative burden for research teams and a smoother experience for participants. 

A Real-World Win

In the world of clinical trials, timely and compliant participant reimbursement can be a major hurdle. 

One provider, focused on making the process smoother for attendees, moving away from manual payment methods in favour of automated, digital transactions. 

The result? Participants received their funds quickly and with minimal fuss. No waiting around. No paper trails. 

On the back end, the clinical research team gained greater visibility and control over spending, with simplified reporting and easier compliance management. 

All of this added up to happier participants, stronger retention, and more efficient trial operations overall. 

Innovation on the Ground 

Another headache for pharmaceutical companies is managing the expenses of field sales teams. B4B Payments can help here too, making it easier to track and reimburse travel, lodging, and other field expenses. 

This dual-pronged approach reflects our broader mission: to simplify financial operations in its entirety for one of the most complex and tightly regulated industries in the world. 

Staying Ahead 

We understand that regulations change frequently, and innovation moves fast in the pharmaceutical industry. B4B Payments makes a point of staying connected to what’s happening on the ground so it can better serve the industry. 

That means attending key industry events, tuning in to healthcare and life sciences conferences, and staying active on platforms like LinkedIn, where conversations around compliance, patient engagement, and digital transformation are constantly evolving. 

This ongoing engagement allows our teams to stay in sync with the needs of clinical coordinators, finance officers, and patient advocates alike, shaping our product roadmap in real-time and keeping our offerings relevant. 

Looking Forward: Trials, Tech, and Transformation 

As clinical research continues to globalise and expand, the need for frictionless, participant-friendly systems will only grow. Financial tools that are smart, secure, and simple to use aren’t just a ‘nice to have’ – they’re a vital part of running successful trials. 

B4B Payments delivers just that. With a laser-sharp focus on incentivisation, we’re helping to fix one of the most persistent bottlenecks in clinical research: patient adherence.

It’s an important niche that’s overdue for change. B4B Payments is right at the centre. Helping pharma companies become more efficient – and taking better care of trial participants.

Agencies are under constant pressure to do more than just produce great creative. It’s a metrics-driven world where measurable impact rules. And that often hinges on one thing – effective and irresistible incentives. 

From customer acquisition to internal team motivation, rewards have become a vital tool in the agency toolkit. But traditional methods – such as vouchers and gift baskets – are being outdone by a new kind of reward that’s fast, flexible, and digital-first. 

Rewards That Work Harder

For agencies juggling tight deadlines, demanding clients, and complex campaigns, reward fulfilment can be a logistical nightmare. 

B4B Payments offers a streamlined way to manage it all, powered by prepaid card technology that’s as versatile as the modern agency model. 

Whether it’s recognising top performers, driving customer referrals, or fuelling a nationwide product launch, our platform gives agencies the tools to create tailored reward experiences that actually resonate.

Cards can be physical or virtual, single-use or reloadable, tied to specific retailers or open to spend anywhere. They can also be integrated with Apple Pay and Google Pay or built with sustainability in mind, using up to 95% recycled PVC. 

The beauty is in the flexibility. And for agencies, that means more creative control and less operational drag. 

Incentives That Deliver 

The rewards industry is going through quite a revolution. What used to be a niche bolt-on has become a strategic pillar and key differentiator in marketing performance. 

As client demands shift and digital expectations grow, agencies need reward systems that scale, adapt, and deliver instantly. 

Our solutions are specifically designed to do just that. B4B Payments doesn’t just hand over cards – we work closely with agencies to build programmes that reflect their brand values and business goals. Real-time loading, full tracking, and robust compliance controls come as standard.

And it’s not just about logistics. With in-app receipt collection, branded digital wallets, and customer service support, the user experience feels less like an afterthought and more like a feature. 

Real-world Agency Case Studies

Agencies across the UK are already putting this model to work. 

Teams have rolled out real-time prepaid cards to give recipients full control over their rewards, paying out millions through tailored programmes that drive engagement and reflect a customer-first mindset. 

For prize-led campaigns, some agencies have streamlined reward distribution, dramatically cutting down fulfilment times and keeping operations smooth behind the scenes. 

Sustainability-focused marketers have embraced digital card solutions to reduce waste, align incentives with eco-conscious values, and take meaningful steps towards greener operations, without compromising on user experience. 

At scale, others have relied on our platform to manage consistent reward programmes across multiple departments, divisions, and regions – bringing cohesion to complex structures while keeping the process effortless. 

The Bigger Picture 

While gift cards and branded collaterals aren’t going away anytime soon, the future of rewards is clearly digital – and increasingly green. As eco-conscious practices move up the priority list for businesses and their audiences alike, sustainable reward options are becoming a must-have. 

At the same time, the shift towards instant, mobile-first payments is reshaping expectations. Physical cards still hold appeal, particularly for brand visibility and campaign impact, but the trend is moving toward digital wallet compatibility and seamless user journeys. 

Incentives are no longer a cherry on top – they’re baked into the strategy. And agencies that treat them as such are reaping the benefits. 

A Need for Change 

Marketing agencies aren’t just selling ideas – they’re delivering experiences. That means small things matter. 

A well-executed incentive programme can be the difference between a customer that converts or one that scrolls past; between a team that’s highly motivated or one that burns out. 

We understand it’s not just about cards – it’s about giving agencies the tools they need to build campaigns that connect, inspire, and deliver great results. 

Need a better way to reward? Whether you’re launching a high-stakes campaign or just want to keep your team firing on all cylinders, we offer simple, scalable solutions that work. Get in touch to learn more or request a demo.