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The future of pharma industry is dependent on technology, acumen and green initiatives, emphasised a panel of experts. Pharma industry in India and globally is at the threshold of transformation driven by multiple factors, including regulatory changes, digital innovation, rising global demand, and shifting business models.
Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics in drug discovery, clinical trials, and manufacturing will drive transparency and efficiency, stated experts at the daylong international conference ‘Krupacon Pharma 2025’ held in the campus of the Krupanidhi Pharmacy College recently.
Evolved around the theme ‘New era of pharma: precision care, global collaboration and environmental responsibilities’, experts noted that this transformation will position India not just as a volume leader but as a powerhouse for innovation in pharmaceuticals.
According to Prof Mohd. Fadil Mohd Asmani, Dean, School of Pharmacy, Malaysia, “The new era of pharmaceuticals with precision medicine, global collaboration and environmentally friendly practices would lead to better services in patient care.”
Dr A Ramkishan, Deputy Drugs Controller of India, CDSCO, stated that Indian pharma was at the fulcrum of growth and development. What is needed is to facilitate efforts to bridge the gap amongst regulators, industry and pharmacy colleges. It is imminent to fast-track approvals even as pacts for collaborations are inked to meet the patient-centric care.
To this end, the Union government introduced a slew of programmes like the Make in India, Digital India and accelerated the pace on ease-of-doing business. India is the pharmacy or the world and houses a pool of high quality pharmacy workforce. Now the new generation of budding pharmacists need to get their fundamentals right based on a strong foundation of reliability, he added.
There are already a slew of well-defined guidelines with regards to clinical trials, revised Schedule M and medical devices. Indian pharma should with confidence excel with transparency and accountability in research, manufacture and market high quality efficacious medicines, concluded Ramkishan.
Delving on to precision medicine as the driver of patient care Dr. Jayaseelan J, chairman, Tamil Nadu Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), pointed out that personalised medicine provides tailor-made solutions for new-age diseases. We need to take cognizance here that AI cannot become an alternate to intelligence. This AI technology is a big help only to boost manufacture, speed-up drug discovery and analyse research and patient data.
In pharma too environmental responsibilities are huge. Our industry needs to draw its attention on waste management practices to control antimicrobial resistance. It is here that green energy sources need to be tapped, stated the TN IDMA chairman.
Dr Milind J Umekar, president, APTI stated that with the rapid advancements in AI, biotechnology, nanotechnology and pharmacogenomics, we are witnessing a shift in pharmaceutical sciences. As educators, researchers and industry professionals, we need to empower students to explore new frontiers in drug development and patient care.
Speaking to Pharmabiz on the side-lines of Krupacon 2025 was Dr Girish Pai K, Associate Professor, Dept of Pharmaceutics & Coordinator, Centre for cGMP, MCOPS, MAHE, Manipal said, “The theme is apt and much-desired. Pharmaceutical industry is undergoing constant changes and no doubt AI is a must. Precision care can be achieved by careful implementation of AI policy, while collaboration of industry and regulatory authorities will make this fruitful. We know that India is the pharmacy of the world. However, we need to give utmost importance to environmental safety and work for it.”
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