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Pharma Roundtable: Transformation Through Digital Innovation

August 6, 2019

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9th Jul 2019, Courtyard by Marriot, Mumbai

Report

Context

India’s pharmaceutical Industry is at an inflection point today.  The opportunities for growth are quite evident based on the increasing burden of diseases across the population, in dire need of effective medical intervention. Yet, sluggish growth in the last two years, regulatory pressures on pricing, increased R&D costs, competition from bio-similars and geo-political situations such as Brexit are posing a challenge to growth. Increasing push for personalized medication and combination drugs is not making the situation easy either.  Technology can play a significant role in helping the industry steer clear of these challenges. Pharma CIOs are sensing these opportunities to embark upon digital transformation initiatives earnestly. This journey is far from easy, requiring strategy and suitable ecosystem partners.

NASSCOM Center of Excellence for IoT and AI, through its LHIF-driven initiatives is playing a catalysing role in the digital transformation of Lifesciences and Healthcare Industry.

The Key Challenges for the Industry

  • Lower R&D Efficiency: Longer time to market / lower rate of success
  • Increasing & Uncertain Regulations: Greater Costs & Needs for Compliance
  • IPR Protection: Expiring Patents – Emergence of Counterfeits
  • Distribution Challenges: Drug Returns, Expiring Drugs, Theft and Pilferage

 

But, there are new trends, opening up further opportunities

  • Emergence of new Business Models – Strategic Co-innovation
  • Convergence of Technology into Core Functions
  • Entry of Unconventional Players
  • Continuous Manufacturing

 

Following Trends are making news, but yet to pick up in large scale for wider adoption

  • 3D printed Drugs
  • Combination Drugs
  • Personalized Medicines
  • Smart Pill

 

Summary of Discussions

  • Leadership Teams in the Industry should equally prioritize investments in R&D and Technology. As both are coupled, it is imperative the financial outlay should be planned together. This leaves the opportunities for IT teams to explore digital adoption. Currently, the CIO/CDO/CTO community and the Management are at two different levels of though process, when it comes to digital adoption.
  • There are capacity challenges and inequalities in the distribution channels, leading to delays in drugs reaching the general public. There are deficits at some places and excess inventory in others.
  • Accessibility to useful drugs is, at times, restricted to urban and semi-urban areas, as healthcare professionals in remote areas are not fully aware of these drugs, their positive impact and side effects. Use of Telemedicine, Tele-Consultations & Tele-prescriptions may improve the situation and help the public in remote areas get access to the best drugs in the market.
  • There is a need for comprehensive policy on usage of Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs in India.
  • Some of the large organizations (in existence for the last few decades) are still struggling with traditional mindsets and show resistance to use of Technology. This places them in a disadvantageous position in the highly competitive market.
  • Organizations are often having the fear of failure from regulatory compliance perspective. It is recommended that the Government should constitute a single Regulatory Cell, which can provide a single window for the Lifesciences and Healthcare Industry on various regulatory guidelines.
  • Technology Industry should also focus more on automation of data capture into EHR systems, using IoT, AI, NLP and other technologies. This reduces the burden on healthcare professionals and improves adoption levels.
  • There is a need for standardized EHR Systems across the country. This will help in leveraging anonymized healthcare data from multiple sources for superior R&D and improved healthcare.
  • Implementation of Technology is often seen as a slow process. The adoption levels are slow due to lack of understanding of the emerging technologies. Quick POCs and Validations (along with proper documented evidence and research publications) need to be presented by the Solution Providers to gain confidence of the Industry Adopters.
  • Industry Associations such as IPA, OPPI, IDMA and BDMA can play a vital role in bringing the Industry together on digital transformation agenda. These bodies should deliberate on the challenges and opportunities in general and technology adoption in particular.

 

Conclusion

The Round Table unanimously concluded that NASSCOM should regularly bring the Industry eco-system together through LHIF – Lifesciences & Healthcare Innovation Forum, as these forums create an opportunities to continuously learn about newer technologies entering into the market, to enhance tech adoption and work on a sustained engagement with technology innovators. There are several opportunities for discussions on policy making, between the industry and government through these forums.

NASSCOM CoE can act as catalyst for the industry in realizing the benefits of digital transformation through collaborating partnerships.

 

Participants

  1. Vinodkrishna Poyyale, Director – Value, Roche Products India Ltd.
  2. Amitabh P Mishra, President & Chief Technology Officer, Emcure Pharmaceuticals
  3. Ajay Bharwani, Head – IT & Technical Applications, Lupin Pharmaceuticals
  4. Kumaresan, Head IT, Unichem Laboratories Ltd.
  5. Tarun Garg, Regional Director – India, Strategy, Projects and Digital, Abbott
  6. Parv Pal Singh, Associate Director – Digital Strategy, Abbott
  7. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)
  8. Archana Jatkar, Associate Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)
  9. Nikita Garg, Digital Transformation Lead, Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI)
  10. Umesh Sanghvi, Head – Innovation and Technology, AIRA Matrix
  11. Kishor Jadhav, General Manager, AOT Solutions
  12. Raghuram Janapareddy, Director – Lifesciences & Healthcare, NASSCOM Centre of Excellence
  13. Sanjeev Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer, NASSCOM Centre of Excellence
  14. Ambuj Saksaria, NASSCOM Regional Office West

 

For more details please write to:  LHIF@nasscom.in                         Visit our Website: www.coe-iot.com

                              


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