The 20th century marks the age of the union of science and technology. It boosted the understanding of the methodologies of almost everything—from discovery to production. Hence, with the rapid innovations, the pharmaceutical industry is quick to adapt.
The pharma sector is now discovering a myriad of solutions to diagnose and treat more complicated diseases. They place technology alongside science and use it to provide patients with a better quality of life.
Read on and learn more about the eight popular and latest technologies pharmaceutical labs are currently using. The details of these technologies are mentioned in the following list.
In silico Trials
You've probably heard about “in vivo” and “in vitro” trials made by pharmaceutical contract testing labs. Now you should get used to “in silico”, which are tests performed using computer simulation. In other words, medicines are tested on organs that are computer-simulated and not with animals or humans. This technique bypasses clinical trials by conducting safe and reliable clinical testing.
Moreover, in-silico trials are not only cost-effective but also time-effective. On top of that, animal testing and negative impacts on humans are inhibited.
Customized And Personalized Medication
At present, people are buying drugs developed for millions around the world. This may be attributed to the fact that the pharmaceutical companies are not considering the individual differences of patients in the production of medicines.
Although the same scenario prevails but now the pharmaceutical industry is revamping the system. Patients can now enter the pharmacy and avail personalized and customized drugs. Recommendations and treatments depend on the patient's medical information and assessments.
It may appear like a breakthrough, yet, personalized and customized treatment is not a new subject. Whenever a patient has stretched a muscle, he/she receives a personalized plan for physiotherapy. The very same thing is happening in the pharmaceutical industry today.
Cancer Immunotherapy
In the medical world, cancer immunotherapy is modifying its meanings. The process is treating historically incurable diseases.
Its premise is to genetically alter a patient's cells to work with the immune system in order to combat cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, immunotherapy does not cause damage to healthy cells. Instead, it teaches the body by modifying the immune system. The immune system then is directed to detect and kill more cancer cells and rising tumor growth.
Blockchain
Blockchain is still a convoluted technology for most industries. Likewise, it is hard to decipher the significance of this technology within the pharmaceutical industry.
Blockchain provides a platform for intellectual property protection and facilitation. This includes, for instance, the facilitation of confidential data, payments, and incentive models. It functions to reduce costs by increasing accountability for all participants in this process. Hence, blockchain presents a good opportunity by safeguarding the intellectual property data.
Furthermore, blockchain also allows a digital identity. Such a medium promotes traceability every time a patient's status is verified. Consequently,it would improve the quality of the data and maintain the highest information security.
Thus, a stable system motivates specialists to contribute in research and development.
Cognitive Computers and Artificial Intelligence
Using cognitive computer systems and artificial intelligence, people can easily collect and classify volumes of data. This addresses the issue that the current phase of drug development is too prolonged and costly.
While using these technologies, pharmaceutical firms can perform faster intelligent trials. This means that results are instantaneous rather than a decade or longer times.
Thus, patients can receive their drug on time and can get it much sooner.
Moreover, the whole shortened testing time can save billions of dollars, which will affect the drop in medicine price caps.
Telehealth
Improvements in teleconferencing and increased use of smartphones made telehealth a significant development. Care providers may have private, and real-time encounters with patients via a camera supported device. Patients that enjoy this technology are either in remote areas or were unable to access travel to a physical facility.
Concerning the pharma industry, monitoring systems offered by telehealth, such as checking heart rate, blood pressure, etc. play a crucial role. This technology enabled the industry to provide medicines and services that fill gaps.
Most frequent telehealth appointments can save lives. They cut down on care barriers such as transportation, geography, and even language.
3D Printing
3D printing of medicines goes hand in hand with the rise in personalized medication. Pharmacists can print the medication a patient needs at any time with the increasing growth of 3D printers and their application to the pharmacy sector.
With 3D printers, medicines are made by printing the powdered drug, layer by layer. After which the layers are bound together, and excess powders are blown out.
This particular nature of the medication helps it to melt much quicker than the typical tablet.
These medicines are beneficial for patients experiencing seizures as they are sometimes prescribed with large and thick tablets which are hard to swallow.
Augmented Reality And Virtual Reality
Augmented reality (AR) and Virtual Reality VR have several medicinal uses. The simulation model and hybrid conditions in the pharmaceutical industry have found a natural fit.
AR and VR headsets are known for various recovery benefits by stimulating the full range of senses: auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic, interactive healing with .
VR can also be used in physical therapy interventions to help patients recover from complicated limb injuries. This may even have applications in areas such as psychological anguish where phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder can be alleviated.
Bottomline
Technologies like the aforementioned, are changing the pharmaceutical industry. They do so in forms that have already changed many sectors.
Embracing technology plays a vital role in the pharmaceutical industry's digital revolution. Although availing this opportunity involves identification of the appropriate initiatives, however it points to the betterment of human lives.
