Here's part 2 of our ‘The Future of Pharma’ series – What are the top 3 IT challenges in the pharma sector that impact operations and growth?

1. Legacy Systems and Infrastructure: Many companies rely on legacy systems and infrastructure, which can limit operational efficiency, scalability, and integration with modern technologies. Migrating to modern platforms while ensuring data integrity and minimal disruption is a complex undertaking.

2. IT and Digital Transformation: Digital transformation is reshaping all major sectors and industries. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud computing can enable process automation, optimize supply chains, and enhance R&D.
However, introducing these technologies into existing landscapes and overcoming potential resistance to change is a significant challenge.

3. Regulatory Compliance: The pharma industry is subject to strict regulatory requirements with oversight by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Implementing and maintaining IT systems that comply with these regulations, such as electronic records and signatures, data integrity, and audit trails, poses ongoing and significant challenges.

It's important to note that these challenges are not exhaustive, and the IT landscape in the industry is constantly evolving. Addressing all IT challenges requires a strategic approach, investment in modern infrastructure, collaboration with technology partners, and a focus on data governance and compliance.