The ISPE Singapore Affiliate Conference & Exhibition 2023 hosted a pivotal panel discussion titled “Digital Pharma Panel: Challenges to Digital ‘Emancipation’. This engaging session gathered renowned experts from the pharmaceutical industry to delve into the multifaceted challenges and opportunities posed by digital transformation.
Panelists:
Atul Tripathi
Associate Director, Emerson Automation Solutions, Singapore
Francesco Ferri
OT Security Deployment & Operations Lead, GSC Engineering OT Security, Global Supply Chain, GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd, Singapore
Meli Gallup
Director, Global MSAT Commercial Drug Product, Genentech, USA
Scott Deckebach
Senior Director, Data Integrity and Governance, Lachman Consultants, Inc., USA
Vighnes Kanagaraj
Head of Transformation and Change, Pharmaniaga Bhd, Malaysia
The panelists engaged in a comprehensive discussion, highlighting the intricate dynamics of innovation, regulation, and market forces in the pharmaceutical industry’s journey towards digitalization.
Panel Highlights:
- Balancing Innovation with Quality and Safety:
Meli Gallup highlighted the industry’s focus on product and patient safety as a potential hindrance to rapid innovation. The need for perfection and quality assurance in pharmaceuticals can slow the adoption of new technologies. - Regulatory Compliance and Guidelines:
Scott Deckebach emphasized that regulations haven’t changed significantly and are often perceived as barriers. He suggested viewing new guidelines as clarifications to aid compliance with existing regulations, rather than obstacles. - Cybersecurity and Organizational Readiness:
The importance of cybersecurity in digital adoption was a recurring theme. Deckebach and Francesco Ferri stressed the need for organizations to develop internal expertise and fluency in technology to manage risks effectively. - Data Management and Integration Challenges:
Atul Tripathi pointed out the difficulties in integrating diverse data sets and the challenge of managing data flow securely. The conversation around data highlighted the need for platforms that consolidate data for better decision-making. - Regional Challenges and Global Competition:
Vighnes Kanagaraj from Pharmaniaga discussed the specific challenges faced by regional players in Malaysia, emphasizing the impact of global competition on technology adoption, especially in the context of cost and accessibility. - Technology Selection and Risk Assessment:
The panel agreed that technology adoption should be based on a thorough risk assessment. This approach requires understanding the specific risks associated with each technology and how they align with regulatory and business needs. - Innovation within Regulatory Frameworks:
Meli Gallup and Atul Tripathi both touched upon the need for innovation within the bounds of regulatory frameworks, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of how different technologies interact with these frameworks. - Cost Considerations in Generic Manufacturing: Kanagaraj brought up the cost-sensitive nature of generic pharmaceutical manufacturing, highlighting the need for affordable technology solutions that can enhance efficiency without compromising quality.
Conclusion: The Digital Pharma Panel: Challenges to Digital ‘Emancipation’ at the ISPE Singapore Affiliate Conference & Exhibition 2023 provided critical insights into the complexities of digital transformation in the pharmaceutical industry.
The panelists collectively underscored the need for a balanced approach that considers quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency alongside technological innovation.
The discussion illuminated the path forward for the industry, emphasizing nuanced decision-making, risk assessment, and internal capability building.
As the industry continues to evolve, these insights will guide its successful navigation through the digital era’s challenges and opportunities.
