Mr. Nikkhil K Masurkar, CEO, Entod Pharmaceuticals
In the dynamic landscape of the pharmaceutical industry, where efficiency, accuracy, and
compliance reign supreme, organizations are constantly in pursuit of innovative methods to
streamline their operations. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has emerged as a revolutionary
technology with immense potential to optimize critical processes within the pharmaceutical sector.
By harnessing the power of intelligent software robots, RPA empowers the automation of
repetitive, rule-based tasks, liberating valuable human resources to concentrate on activities of
higher value. This not only amplifies operational efficiency but also bolsters data accuracy, ensures
compliance adherence, and enhances overall productivity.
The remarkable growth in global spending on RPA software, surging from $520 million in 2017 to a
staggering $1.89 billion in 2021, underscores the pivotal role this technology is set to play in
shaping the future of the pharmaceutical industry. With its vast array of advantages, RPA holds the
potential to bestow significant benefits upon the pharmaceutical sector, opening up new avenues
for heightened operational efficiency and improved outcomes in the times ahead.
Robotic Process Automation – What is it?
It is a technology that utilizes software robots or “bots” to automate and streamline repetitive, rule-
based tasks and processes within an organization. RPA software robots are designed to mimic
human actions, interacting with various systems, applications, and data sources to perform tasks
such as data entry, data extraction, data validation, report generation, and more. These robots can
work autonomously or in collaboration with human operators, freeing up human resources from
mundane tasks and enabling them to focus on higher-value activities. RPA offers benefits such as
increased operational efficiency, improved accuracy, reduced costs, enhanced compliance, and
scalability.
Exploring the Advantages of RPA in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Below are several key advantages that RPA brings to pharmaceutical processes:
Enhance Regulatory Compliance
The pharmaceutical industry operates within a framework of stringent legal regulations, crucial for
ensuring the health and safety of the community. Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,
regulatory bodies have been continuously adapting compliance regulations and approaches. To
navigate these evolving requirements, organizations can leverage Robotic Process Automation
(RPA) solutions.
RPA offers valuable support in maintaining transparent and well-informed compliance practices.
Pharma businesses can utilize RPA to:
● Stay updated with policy modifications: RPA software can scrape regulation websites,
providing real-time updates on any changes in policies and regulations that impact the
industry.
● Validate internal document compliance: RPA bots can validate internal documentation
against relevant policies and regulations, ensuring adherence and identifying any gaps or
inconsistencies.
● Automate regulatory submissions: RPA enables the automation of the submission process
to auditing authorities, reducing manual effort and increasing accuracy.
Streamline Clinical Trial Processes
Clinical trials play a vital role in drug development, involving various repetitive tasks such as
patient data entry, data validation, and regulatory submissions to compliance teams and auditors.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) offers significant potential to automate and simplify these
processes, thereby optimizing clinical trial management.
RPA can revolutionize clinical trial management by automating several key processes, including:
● Patient data entry: RPA bots can efficiently handle the data entry tasks associated with
patient information, reducing manual errors and saving valuable time.
● Cross-checking patient records against EHR: RPA can compare patient records with
Electronic Health Records (EHR) to ensure accuracy and eliminate discrepancies.
● Patient matching for relevant trials: RPA can analyze patient-provided data and match it to
appropriate clinical trials, facilitating efficient participant recruitment.
● Appointment scheduling and notification: RPA can automate the process of scheduling
appointments for participants and sending timely notifications, ensuring smooth
coordination.
● Trial File Master (TFM) management: RPA can assist in managing TFM by automating data
entry, updates, and file transfers, ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of trial-related
documentation.
● Clinical trial reports generation: RPA can generate standardized and accurate reports,
consolidating data from multiple sources and eliminating the need for manual compilation.
Revolutionize Drug Sales Forecasting
Accurate drug sales forecasting is a crucial component of strategic planning for pharmaceutical
companies. However, traditional forecasting methods often face limitations when dealing with
drugs that lack sufficient historical data. This occurs frequently when drugs are substituted by
analogs or undergo updates to improve their pharmacological effects or minimize side effects.
To overcome these challenges, the integration of Machine Learning and Robotic Process
Automation (RPA) presents an innovative solution. By harnessing the power of machine learning
algorithms, a customized forecasting model can be developed. This model takes into account
various variables and adapts to changing dynamics, even when historical data is limited. RPA
further enhances the process by automating data collection, entry, and other repetitive tasks,
facilitating seamless integration and analysis of diverse data sources.
The combined utilization of machine learning and RPA empowers pharmaceutical companies to
construct robust forecasting models that address dynamic variables. This advancement ensures
more accurate and agile predictions for drug sales, enabling informed decision-making and
strategic planning.
Transform Supply Chain and Inventory Management
In today’s fast-paced business environment, supply chain and inventory management play a pivotal
role in the success of pharmaceutical companies. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) presents a
transformative solution by automating complex and repetitive tasks, leading to enhanced efficiency,
reduced operating costs, and improved accuracy throughout the supply chain.
RPA offers immense potential to automate various multi-step processes, streamlining operations
and ensuring smooth workflow in critical areas such as:
● Invoice management: RPA can automate invoice processing, including data extraction,
validation, and reconciliation, enabling faster and more accurate invoice management.
● Inventory management: RPA bots can be deployed to automate inventory tracking, monitor
stock levels, and trigger alerts for restocking, ensuring optimal inventory management and
reducing the risk of stockouts or excess inventory.
● Purchase order management: RPA can automate the end-to-end purchase order
management process, from order creation to vendor communication, order tracking, and
invoice matching, minimizing manual effort and improving order accuracy.
● Refund and return processing: RPA can streamline the refund and return processes by
automating data entry, validation, and refund calculations, accelerating processing times
and improving customer satisfaction.
● Supply and demand strategizing: RPA can collect and analyze data from various sources,
enabling real-time insights into supply and demand patterns. This data-driven approach
facilitates informed decision-making for inventory planning, production scheduling, and
optimizing supply chain operations.
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) offers significant opportunities for the
pharmaceutical industry to optimize key processes and drive operational excellence. By automating
repetitive, rule-based tasks, RPA liberates human resources to focus on higher-value activities,
enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. With the ability to streamline compliance
processes, expedite clinical trial management, and enable data-driven forecasting, RPA empowers
pharmaceutical organizations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Embracing RPA
as a transformative technology unlocks a multitude of benefits, paving the way for advancements in
patient care, drug development, and overall industry growth. As the pharmaceutical industry
continues to embrace digital transformation, RPA stands as a powerful ally, enabling organizations
to thrive in an increasingly complex and demanding environment.
