How process digitalization is helping pharma prepare for the “new normal”

We are living in a new world, we see things in a new way and we act differently at home, in public and in the workplace. This “new normal” will most likely last a while and its impact will possibly last years.

Businesses are driven by people

The pharma industry is highly governed, with compliance to regulations a must. The industry is cited as one that will be least affected by Covid-19, but it will still feel its impact, as businesses are driven by their people. What the industry produces will be even more vital than before but the workforce is human. They have the same fears, exposures and frailties that affect those in any other walk of life.

How many non-essential workers in the pharma industry will be allowed back into the workplace? In an already highly regulated industry, there will be more rules to which they need to comply and remote working will need to be considered for employees where possible. How can business leaders keep everything visible, compliant and make sure nothing falls through the cracks?

Digitization is imperative

One of the most meaningful things to do is digitize. Using digital forms removes the need to hand sheets to colleagues and makes it safer for employees by keeping them socially distanced. Every webinar or blog from the leading consultancy companies have stated that digitization will stop being a “nice to have” and will become an imperative.

The industry already uses a lot of technology but alas falls foul, as many industries do, of over-reliance on the spreadsheet and the inbox. Processes like artworks tend to be successfully digitized already but the likes of management of PV signal detection uses the spreadsheet to great effect. This is a time to control the controllable. Since we will be working very differently from now on, we need to evolve the environment that we work in. In order to maintain and improve efficiency whether from home or in the workplace, processes that are core to the success of a business need to be digitized.

Go with no code

The good news is digitization can start immediately without the need to hire coders. The majority of processes such as artworks and PV signal detection can be created using a ‘no-code’ platform, such as the FlowForma Process Automation and it is being used by many other industries. ‘No code’ means processes will be up and running in up to a tenth of the time of coded systems.

There is no time to waste, because the ‘new normal’ is here. It is time for business leaders in the pharmaceutical industry to show their employees they are doing everything in their power to improve the working environment. The added benefit is time and money saving, while increasing compliance. Everybody wins.

This article was originally published as Process Challenges In The Pharma Industry: Preparing For The 'New Normal'.