Pharmaceutical companies are constantly seeking new opportunities to enhance their offerings and deliver superior products. In response to the rapidly evolving landscape, the industry is undergoing major digital transformation initiatives aimed at enhancing R&D processes and embracing modern methods. These changes are crucial as traditional methods of pharmaceutical R&D are no longer sufficient to meet current demands. . To remain competitive and relevant, enterprise pharma companies must modernize legacy applications by migrating to new cloud technologies, ensuring they can leverage the latest advancements in data analytics, machine learning, and other cutting-edge technologies. This modernization provides a competitive advantage, ensures better quality control, creates superior products, maintains compliance, and supports continuous growth. While digital transformation in pharma is a substantial investment, it is a challenge that all companies, regardless of industry, must confront.
Digital Transformation Initiatives in Pharma
Digital transformation in the pharma sector involves integrating digital technologies into all areas of business, fundamentally changing how companies operate and deliver value to customers. This transformation can lead to increased operational efficiency, drive innovation, provide better customer experiences, and improve the quality of products and services.
According to a Deloitte report, certain technologies are widely adopted and integrated into the operations of pharma companies, with cloud (49%), AI (38%), data lakes (33%), and wearables (33%) leading adoption in day-to-day operations. Here are a few examples of digital transformation in pharma and their benefits:
- Smart Quality with Quality Management Systems (QMS): Enhances product quality and compliance.
- Digitization of Regulatory Approval and Maintenance with Regulatory Information Management (RIM) Systems: Streamlines regulatory processes and ensures compliance.
- Clinical Trial Digitization with E-Clinical Platforms: Improves the efficiency and accuracy of clinical trials.
- DataOps to Scale Analytics and Data Projects: Facilitates better data management and analytics.
- Decisions Based on AI and ML: Enhances decision-making processes.
- On-Demand Patient Access and Support Programs: Improves patient engagement and support.
- Digital Pills: Provides real-time monitoring of medication adherence.
Digitization Challenges in Pharma
While digital transformation initiatives can significantly improve the pharma industry, they are major projects that require dedicated scoping, budgeting, resources, migration, implementation, deployment, and ongoing support. There are several hurdles pharma companies face during digitization. One of the most critical among these is ensuring patient data security and privacy, which requires robust cybersecurity measures and strict compliance with data protection regulations. Equally important is upskilling employees, equipping them with the digital skills necessary to leverage new technologies effectively through continuous learning programs and workshops. To overcome technology integration hurdles, organizations can adopt phased implementation approaches and seek expert consultation. Another major hurdle is navigating the complex landscape of FDA and drug regulations demands thorough understanding and ongoing compliance, facilitated by regular training and updates on regulatory changes. Throughout this transformation process, maintaining ethical standards is crucial; organizations should establish clear guidelines and ensure transparency in their digital initiatives. By proactively addressing these interconnected challenges, pharma companies can pave the way for a smoother and more effective digital transformation journey, ultimately enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
Drive Transformation With Digital Adoption Tools
Pharma organizations can accelerate digital transformation initiatives by enabling employees with digital adoption tools. These tools provide contextual in-app guidance and self-help support, helping employees seamlessly use technology.
Some examples include guidance and data validationwithin applications to reduce errors during complex processes across the value chain. This empowers pharma professionals to feel confident in their work and upskill to focus on other priorities, such as product quality. Cross-application flows can also improve adverse event (AE) and adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting efficiency. These workflows can be used to help pharma companies streamline complex processes in quality management to meet timelines and accuracy requirements during clinical trials. Additionally, soft nudges can help introduce a new feature or grab an end user’s attention to show updates. This helps pharma organizations assist with change management and adhere to compliance policies across the value chain.
Simulation training of applications can also educate employees on the necessary steps to be taken in case of a serious adverse event (SAE). Digital tools can mirror applications and create “fire drills” so users are well-equipped in case of an emergency. Once an application is already rolled out to employees, digital adoption tools can track the application’s usage and adoption rate by analyzing user behavior. Identifying friction points will provide organizations with important data to help make necessary changes. This enables end users to adopt new technologies and change workflows easily.
By leveraging these tools, organizations can stay up-to-date with quality policies, avoid non-conformance and compliance issues with ever-changing FDA regulations, increase the speed-to-market of drugs, and improve patient and worker safety.
Khadim Batti
Khadim Batti is CEO & Cofounder of Whatfix.
