By Saransh Chaudhary
The largest manufacturer of generic drugs in the world, India could well become a global pharma superpower if it builds on its strengths in manufacturing by adopting latest technologies. Indian generics account for 20 per cent of global exports in terms of volume, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation, an endorsement of the quality and cost-effectiveness of the generic medicines produced in the country.
By tactically leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and automation, India can improve the quality of its pharmaceutical products on one hand and contribute immensely towards drug discovery and development on the other. In fact, the pharma industry should take a leap by riding the “Make in India” wave to transform itself into a manufacturing hub through technological applications like robotics and 3D printing. These cutting-edge technologies have already given Indian manufacturers a competitive edge by enabling them to improve quality, enhance productivity and reduce costs, thus improving the accessibility as well as affordability of medicines.
The adoption of robotics in the pharma manufacturing industry in India is still at a nascent stage, but its demand is rising phenomenally. Falling under the broader category of automation, robotics can go a long way in improving safety, reducing the dependence on manual labour and minimising the scope for human error. Together with machine learning and AI, automation has made the pharmaceutical industry far more competitive by improving the capabilities of manufacturers to produce high-quality products at a faster pace. While big multinationals in advanced countries have integrated robotic process automation with drug manufacturing to improve speed and precision in production processes, one of them has gone a step ahead to set up a sophisticated robotic laboratory in San Diego to accelerate drug discovery by integrating various aspects like design, synthesis and analysis into a fully automated platform.Another technology that has the potential to revolutionise the pharma industry is 3D printing. The process of making three-dimensional objects from digital files and prototypes, 3D printing can appreciably reduce lead times, enable customisation, reduce waste and facilitate digital drug product development and manufacturing. By enabling manufacturers to produce complex parts that would be difficult to make using traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing allows precise construction of the structure of dosage forms, and can benefit drug product design by providing versatile drug release modes to meet clinical needs and facilitate patient-centric treatment.Implementing technology-driven solutions like blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) can ensure transparent and traceable supply chains as well to combat counterfeit drugs and streamline the distribution process through adoption of e-pharmacy mode, which will in turn make medicines more accessible to patients. Adopting these Industry 4.0 practices can facilitate real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing processes, thus contributing to better quality. As a case in point, a leading pharma multinational had entered into a tie-up with IBM, KPMG and Walmart under a USFDA pilot program way back in 2019 to enhance the traceability and security of prescription drugs in the US through blockchain. The shared blockchain network allowed real-time monitoring of products. In fact, many leading pharmaceutical companies in the US have introduced IoT devices and real-time data analytics in their manufacturing facilities to ensure precise control over production process and enhance quality.Contributing to lower costs and faster production processes, advanced manufacturing technologies can turn India into a global leader in value-based research innovations as well. AI, for instance, can help manufacturers identify new drug targets and develop more effective drugs. It can not only improve the efficiency of the drug development process, but also reduce the cost and time span of introducing new drugs to the market. Employing technologies like AI and machine learning in drug discovery and development processes can fast-track the R&D cycle.
In addition to these technologies, India should also focus on improving the quality of its generic drugs, particularly complex generics, by investing in R&D. By doing so, we can ensure that our generic drugs are of the highest quality and meet the same standards as their branded counterparts. We must allocate resources for pharmaceutical R&D to develop new generic drugs and improve existing formulations.
There is a dire need to complement these efforts by investing in skill development and training programmes for pharmaceutical professionals to hone their skills in applying advanced technologies to drug manufacturing and quality control. As part of these initiatives, the pharma industry should collaborate with academic institutions and domain experts to develop specialised courses and impart more industry-specific training. In fact, going a step ahead, Indian pharma firms should enter into international collaborations with leading multinationals, research institutions and regulatory bodies to aid knowledge exchange and technology transfer. The government should back these efforts by offering incentives for R&D and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies in order to create a conducive environment for innovation.
(The writer is President, Global Critical Care, Venus Remedies Ltd and CEO, Venus Medicine Research Centre)
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person / organisation directly or indirectly.)
