Below, our Veeva experts provide their perspective on insights from the 2025 Veeva MedTech Postmarket Quality Benchmark Report. 

The medtech industry continuously faces pressure to enhance postmarket quality and expectations. A recent survey by Veeva MedTech surveyed over 100 quality leaders across the industry, shedding light on how organizations are tackling postmarket quality changes, where gaps remain, and which strategies are delivering measurable improvements. This information can be leveraged by clients to optimize the efficiency, quality, and performance of postmarket quality strategies. Below, we dive into the key takeaways from this year’s postmarket quality benchmark report. 

Executive Summary 

The study revealed that a lack of systems and tools remained a major barrier to proactive quality management in medtech organizations. Half the respondents still rely on manual processes, limiting efficiency and real-time visibility. Outdated systems are ranked 1.5 times higher than process or metric gaps, making it the number one barrier, highlighting the need for modernization across post-market operations 

Quality Transformations Gaining Momentum 

Quality transformations are becoming a top priority in the industry, with 35% of companies currently undergoing transformation efforts and another 53% planning to start soon. Technology plays a central role in these efforts, with automation (75%), connectivity (62%), and advanced reporting (61%) ranking as the highest priorities in postmarket quality management.  

The primary drivers behind transformation include proactive and risk-based quality (38%), scaling processes to support business growth (26%), and technology modernization (14%). Interestingly, regulatory changes (10%) and cost-related initiatives (6%) were reported to be far less influential motivators. It was also reported that among organizations already transforming, 60% reported reliable cloud technology usage, with an additional 17% adopting it selectively.  

Clarkston Takeaway: While it’s encouraging to see that quality transformations are gaining momentum across industry, it’s important that companies have a clear, structured roadmap to be successful. They will need to prioritize quick wins, ensure alignment with corporate strategy, and secure executive sponsorship across QA, supply chain, R&D and IT. Early adopters of cloud-based QMS are already seeing measurable gains in responsiveness, compliance, and product performance. 

Quality Organizations and Governance 

The survey found that most medtech organizations recognize complaint handling (90%), adverse event reporting (85%), and CAPA/continuous improvement (64%) as the top postmarket quality components. A centralized governance model is most common, used by 55% of organizations, allowing for standardization and resource optimization; however, despite centralized structures, outdated technology is still prevalent. With only 32% of centralized organizations using modern cloud systems, many teams are still reliant on manual or mixed electronic processes that slow response times.  

Organizational structures vary, with 55% centralized under a corporate entity, 20% mostly centralized with regional or outsourced entities, 20% decentralized, 3% mostly outsourced, and 2% completely outsourced. Additionally, technology adoption across centralized organizations remains inconsistent, with 12% relying on manual processes, 37% using a mix of electronic and paper-based systems, and 19% still dependent on on-premises systems.  

Clarkston Takeaway: Companies that are still heavily reliant on manual workflows, paper, and aging on-premise systems are dealing with compliance risks, costly delays, and siloed data. Cloud-based systems are now the new industry standard, and companies must act aggressively toward adoption so they’re not left behind. 

Knowledge Management 

Training and knowledge management are heavily focused on reading policies and procedures (78%), leaving less emphasis on risk management (49%) and critical thinking (45%). Only 19% of respondents felt that their training is future-ready, with 70% of organizations reporting training gaps concerning the lack of cloud tools. This highlights the opportunity to adopt digital learning platforms to modernize training methods and ensure employees have access to real-time guidance.  

Clarkston Takeaway: The best technology, without well-trained empowered users, leads to an underutilized system. Industry-leading companies are investing in role-based, digital learning programs that enable employees to think critically, apply risk driven quality principles, and make the most of advanced systems. 

Shift Toward Proactive Quality 

57% of organizations are using postmarket quality insights to make process improvements, from innovations to compliance enhancements. Still, 48% report a lack of data systems as the biggest barrier, limiting their ability to make proactive adjustments to processes. Similarly, many organizations have fragmented or manual systems that hinder responsiveness and compliance. Addressing these issues with data systems can help organizations develop useful insights to continue improving processes and addressing risks.  

Despite recognition of the need for modernization, 51% of respondents still rely on manual or mixed processes to manage postmarket quality. Cloud technology adoption tends to be higher in smaller companies (32%) than in larger ones (21%), where transitioning from previous technologies can be complex. While emerging technologies like AI and automation have a low current adoption rate, respondents see high potential value in them. Automation for efficiency (75%), QMS integration (62%), advanced reporting (61%), error checking (43%), and business logic to streamline workflows (27%) are all technology opportunities for organizations to integrate within their processes.  

Clarkston Takeaway: It’s imperative that companies move quickly toward adopting cloud-based QMS technology that supports scalability and data connectedness to enable real-time visibility and faster decision-making.  

Final Thoughts  

The 2025 Postmarket Quality Benchmark Report highlights a medtech industry aligned on the importance of postmarket quality goals but lagging in the tools and infrastructure needed to fully support it. To ensure progress, organizations must shift away from outdated systems, align technology adoption with strategic goals, strengthen training programs, and move from reactive issue management to proactive risk prevention. Modern cloud-based solutions present an opportunity to ensure long-term operational success in an increasingly competitive industry.  

Investing in modern cloud-based solutions will not only reduce regulatory risk, but accelerate innovation, enhance patient safety, and protect brand trust in a rapidly changing market. 

Approaching the challenges highlighted in the medtech industry survey can be complex, but the right approach makes all the difference. Contact our team at Clarkston today to explore tailored strategies and discover how we can help your organization turn obstacles into opportunities.