Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Applications in the Pharmaceutical Sector 

Businesses in a fast changing world have always taken advantage of the market’s opportunity to improve their processes, making them smarter, more effective. With the help of AI and machine learning, companies are able to reach their peak efficiency in data analysis that will leave an enormous impact on each other’s businesses. 

The role of artificial intelligence within the pharmaceutical sector  

In the coming years, industries will be driven to unprecedented growth as AI and machine learning become more widely used. According to the research conducted by Tractica, by 2025, the market for artificial intelligence is expected to reach $89.8 billion in worldwide revenues. The pharma sector is not an exception in this case. 

Artificial intelligence’s impact on the pharma sector is clear. AI has already started to be used by many pharmaceutical companies around the world. There’s a bright future ahead of AI. The development of this cutting edge technology in the healthcare sector is being driven by a number of factors. 

Current Scenario In Pharmaceutical Industry 

AI is involved with computer systems performing tasks that usually need human intelligence. The management of data and the presentation of results that help save people’s effort, costs and time is useful in supporting more informed decision making. 

However, a number of healthcare companies are still using traditional methods to run their businesses and do not yet use this technology. Today, these large companies are not aware of and do not take into account the use of artificial intelligence in different ways that can have an impact on the pharmaceutical sector: 

• Collection and Processing in Medical Information can be slowed down 

• Non availability of medical and data records 

• Time-consuming and costly drug discovery and R&D process 

Therefore, in order to make all healthcare processes seamless, efficient, cost effective, and painless, it is very important to use AI with machine learning applications.  

Here are the main uses of AI and ML in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Machine Learning Applications in the Healthcare Sector 

Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that helps computer programs or algorithms learn to do tasks and perform without the need for specific programming instructions. Developing computer programs that can access data and use it to learn independently is of great importance. The system shall perform the task on its own when everything is examined properly and a code has been used. 

The healthcare and clinical procedure has been made more effective and ideal by the use of machine learning in the pharmaceutical sector. In the healthcare industry, the top 4 machine learning applications are as follows: 

1. Enhancement in Diagnosis Process  

ML in the healthcare industry will allow doctors to make easy use of vast amounts of patient data, thereby detecting and treating diseases more efficiently. The technology is being used by some of the world’s best hospitals to keep electronic medical records. 

The records are used by physicians to learn how a new medicine can enhance the patient’s health, and what specific genetic characteristics may have an effect on his or her condition. The doctor has a clear idea of the disease and suggests the best treatment to cure it, which saves time and money. 

2. Development in Clinical Trial Research 

The procedure of conducting clinical trials is no more dangerous for the discovery of any drug. With the help of ML, healthcare organisations can take the EMR data and apply it to the doctor’s notes. The data that have been gathered can be used to identify the right patients for a trial. Even during the process, it is possible to predict the patient’s churn. 

People can get the information they need without much effort by using their smartphones and similar forms of clothing. It has been rapidly and easily possible to gather relevant information from patients in this way. For clinical trial processes of patients, sharing their data collected is circumstantial, error-free and excellent-quality is now just a click away. 

3. Innovation in Drug Discovery  

Various stages in the drug discovery process are improved by ML. In the early stages of drug discovery, machine learning has the potential to be used in a variety of ways, e.g. to predict the success rate based on a biological factor or to perform a preliminary screening of medicinal products. Machine learning can be used to identify new patterns in a wide variety of medical data generated through the process. 

4. Betterment in Patient Care  

Gone are the days when keeping track of patient data and monitoring it while making real-time decisions was difficult. Machine learning has made it easier than ever to manage vast amounts of data and find possible treatments for various conditions. 

The system forecasts in real time the results of a patient’s tests, charts and their metrics which can be used to determine whether or not treatment for critical care is appropriate. With the use of data from medical records and machine learning, it is possible to predict precise interventions and improve healthcare. 

AI Applications in Healthcare and Pharma Industry 

The pharmaceutical industry is strongly influenced by AI. In order to simplify everything, the pharma industry is experimenting with new innovative ways of using this smart technology. In the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, there are different ways of applying AI. 

1. Performing Repetitive tasks  

Artificial intelligence can be used repetitively in a faster and more efficient way, such as the analysis of medical test reports or other tasks that seem dull and time consuming like data entry. This will allow doctors and other healthcare professionals to spend more time on the rest of their tasks, as well as improving how they interact with patients. 

2. Managing Data  

Collecting and managing data, e.g. test reports or previous patient records is one of the main parts of health care. With the introduction of AI, data management in the pharma industry has become a simpler process. With Al’s help, data can be stored, reformatted, collected and traced in a fast and consistent manner, in support of digital automation. 

3. Analysing Healthcare Systems  

Artificial intelligence is capable of analysing systems of healthcare in a proper way. AI helps healthcare providers make best decisions to keep the system running smoothly and improve care for patients. The procedure of creating invoices may be carried out in digital form. Some companies look at medical records to detect errors in treatment and inefficiencies of the working procedure. Therefore, patients who simply do not need to be hospitalised can be avoided by the entire healthcare system. 

4. Making the medical consultation process digital  

There are few AI based apps that are designed in a way to provide medical consultations based on the details of the patient’s symptoms and past medical history. The apps enable users to specify the symptoms. The AI app can recommend a course of action in order to reduce the overall rate of misdiagnoses after a user has gone through their medical records. 

5. Maximising the value of digital nurses 

Between doctor’s visits, virtual and digital nurses look after patients. This technological progress of Artificial Intelligence that can minimise unneeded hospital visits. It will help the industry save a lot of money and reduce the burden on health professionals’ workload, as well. 

6. Managing Medications  

Some AI based applications are currently being used to track the use of medicines by patients, in real time. Such apps make sure that patients take their dose of medicines according to their prescription, using a webcam. This is helpful for patients to oversee their health conditions. Such apps may offer maximum benefit to patients who frequently fail to follow their doctor’s advice or have severe medical conditions. 

Final Thoughts 

There is revolutionization in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry because of Artificial Intelligence and its important components. With such an optimistic future, AI is here to stay.  

Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University provides focused teaching by highly qualified & experienced faculty to future pharmacists on modern pharmacy practices. Through its curriculum, the university is educating its students on the practical applications of Machine Learning and AI in the pharmaceutical industry and training them to become future ready.