The Importance of Pharmaceutical Digitalization | advanco

Digitalization and the pharmaceutical industry are so entwined that it is impossible to think of one without the other. Digitalization is powering virtually every aspect of the sector today, which is a trend set to get even greater – if that is even possible – in the years ahead.

Advanco is proud of its track record in encouraging the pharmaceutical sector to invest in its digital capabilities. We have long realized that the smart factory will soon become a common reality, thanks to the already smart machines that keep getting even smarter as they access more data.

Advanco’s systems are pioneering the way forward for companies across the globe due largely to the wealth of experience that can be found within our team, which closely monitors current and future trends. Therefore, let’s take this opportunity to share their knowledge and remind ourselves of the importance of digitalization in the pharmaceutical industry.

A current digital snapshot

Digitalization already connects everything to do with the pharmaceutical sector. Not only has it already created new levels of transparency that have never been seen before, but it is also completely changing the way that operations on the warehouse floor are being carried out.

Let’s not forget that we are sitting on the cusp of Industry 4.0. – and some would say we are already sitting within it – which has digital systems at its very core. While Industry 4.0 has been called a new industrial revolution, its implementation will more likely resemble an evolution in which digitalization and automation meet very complex product portfolios and life cycles.

A combination of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and the Internet of Systems will power Industry 4.0 and allow the smart factory to become a reality. As a result of the support of smart machines that keep getting smarter as they get access to more data, the global pharmaceutical sector will become more efficient and productive and less wasteful.

We at advanco therefore repeat once again our view that all companies, of all sizes, within pharma need to ensure their digital capabilities are in the best shape possible.

Crucially, that does not necessarily mean every company needs to rush out and get the very latest systems installed now. What is far more important is that they retain a strong awareness of what the future of the industry will look like and are ready to embrace these changes when the time comes to do so.

Industry 4.0.

It is impossible to talk about pharmaceutical digitalization without addressing Industry 4.0. in a little more detail.

While Industry 4.0 has been called the fourth industrial revolution, its implementation will more likely resemble an evolution in which digitalization and automation meet very complex product portfolios and life cycles. What is certain, however, is that Industry 4.0. will revolutionize the way the pharmaceutical sector works. Once only possible for international blue-chip corporations, robotics will become much more affordable and available to organizations of every size. From picking products at a warehouse to getting them ready to ship, autonomous robots can quickly and safely support manufacturers.

Likewise, we will see distribution centers that will use autonomous cranes and trucks to streamline operations as they accept shipping containers from the ships.

New-edge computing

One of the core developments that Industry 4.0. will bring is the much more wholesale adoption of edge computing – a distributed IT architecture in which client data is processed at the periphery of the network, as close to the originating source as possible. It shifts the focus from the central data center to the logical edge of the infrastructure — taking storage and computing resources from the data center and moving those resources to the point where the data is generated.

The impact of this new-edge technology on the pharmaceutical pharmaceutical track-and-trace sector will be huge, especially where overall supply-chain operations are concerned.

We have already seen a move towards a much more agile, local supply chain. The rapid uptake of digital barcode scanning systems combined with the very latest, cutting-edge technology, has made supply chains much more secure. New-edge computing will tighten this up even further. It will power automatic, time-sensitive supply chain processes in warehouses, factories, and manufacturing facilities. These processes will lessen the need for human management and create optimal outcomes while eliminating the risk of error due to manual processes.

How the future of healthcare and digitalization are intrinsically linked

It is becoming clear that digitalization will affect the pharmaceutical sector for the companies that work within it. However, what about individual people and those who rely on medicines for a better quality of life?

The fact is that digitalization will touch everyone on an individual basis, right across the entire national health system and even the entire network of local pharmacies. If you think this is already the case – you haven’t seen anything yet.

The very concept of health itself is becoming increasingly digital. Think of all the opportunities in healthcare, from tele-health solutions, including advances such as smartphone applications to wearable devices, up to sensors that may be ingested or implanted under the skin.

There is also a whole raft of personal medicine applications, including advanced analytics and digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things and Blockchain to manage patient treatment lifecycle at an individual level.

The digital supply chain

Advanco was one of the first companies in the pharmaceutical sector to highlight the importance of how digital systems will sit behind a revolution in how supply chains are structured.

We are already seeing a move towards local production and sourcing through the repatriation of supply chains into Europe and the USA, resulting in a much more agile supply chain overall – with digital systems powering this right from its very core.

The rapid uptake of digital barcode scanning systems combined with the very latest, cutting-edge technology, has made supply chains much more secure – and ongoing technical advancements mean it will continue to get even more watertight and secure in the future, powering automatic, time-sensitive supply chain processes in warehouses, factories, and manufacturing facilities.

These processes will lessen the need for human management and create optimal outcomes while eliminating the risk of error due to manual processes.

Challenges to pharmaceutical digitalization

While the advancement of digital technologies in the pharmaceutical sector presents promising opportunities, it also comes with its fair share of challenges and barriers to adoption. 

The stringent regulatory landscape governing the pharmaceutical industry adds complexity to digitization efforts. Compliance with regulations such as FDA requirements in the United States and EMA standards in Europe is essential but can be intricate and time-consuming. Navigating these regulatory frameworks while ensuring that digital initiatives meet legal standards and uphold patient safety is a significant challenge for pharmaceutical companies.

With the digitization of sensitive patient data, ensuring robust data security and privacy measures is paramount. Pharmaceutical companies must invest in state-of-the-art encryption, access controls, and secure data storage to protect against cyber threats and unauthorized access. Adherence to data privacy regulations such as GDPR in the EU adds an additional layer of complexity, requiring meticulous attention to compliance to maintain patient trust and legal compliance.

Many pharmaceutical companies grapple with legacy systems and infrastructure that are not conducive to integrating new digital technologies. Upgrading or replacing outdated systems requires significant investments in both financial resources and time. Additionally, the integration of digital solutions may necessitate extensive training and organizational restructuring, further complicating the adoption process.

Resistance to change within organizations and entrenched cultural norms can impede digital transformation efforts. Employees may be hesitant to embrace new technologies due to fear of job displacement or unfamiliarity with digital tools. Overcoming resistance to change requires effective change management strategies, clear communication, and proactive engagement with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that encompasses regulatory compliance, robust cybersecurity measures, strategic investment in technology infrastructure, effective change management strategies, and resource allocation. By recognizing and proactively mitigating these challenges, pharmaceutical companies can navigate the complexities of digitalization and position themselves for success in an increasingly digital future.

Conclusion

Digitalization and the future pharma sector are already intrinsically linked together. This will continue in the future to the point that it will be impossible to pull them apart.

Digital processes and technology will drive a much more automated process, which is already emerging due to Industry 4.0. and will result in the warehouse environment needing a much-reduced human workforce. Indeed, this combination of technology and Industry 4.0. will give the pharmaceutical sector an opportunity to revolutionize the way it works.

The ability for individual companies to cooperate and complement each other in real-time will enable giant strides to be made for the overall efficiency of the sector. All individual components, be it medicine producers, track-and-trace specialists, or logistics providers, need to look now at what they need to do to prepare for the changes ahead. Failure to do this could well mean they will experience failure across the board in the future – so it is worth taking stock now about what can be done to prepare for the digital road ahead.

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