EDITOR’S DESK

REBEKAH JORDAN

pharma isn’t sustainable. Long distances between suppliers and manufacturers mean the risk of problems remains high; shortages aren’t timely communicated, and backup measures are absent.

A digital supply chain - one that is supported by real-time monitoring and predictive measures – can enable the preparation of plan Bs. Furthermore, it would allow

But, with all this digital power comes great responsibility - the risks need to be properly considered and evaluated.

Pharma’s shift to Industry 4.0 means an uptick in AI, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics, but it also means an increase in cybersecurity risk and the counterfeit drug market. We’re already seeing evidence of these fake online pharmacies headlining the news; a shortage of drugs means patients are turning to fake alternatives on the internet.

In saying that, it’s hopeful to see pharma already investing in technologies to mitigate these concerns - up to the point now where it has almost become an arms race between the two. Blockchain technology, for one, is making it easier to identify counterfeit products, with serialisation and QR codes to recognise and weed out the anomalies.

Regulatory agencies and pharma manufacturers will need to work closely together to ensure pharma’s digital transformation is a safe one. With data privacy and cybersecurity guidelines in place to ensure patient safety, any reservations that companies may still have about pursuing the change can be reassured and have their minds put at ease.