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Pharmaceutical Industry - The Positive Effects Of Technology

In recent years, technological progress has affected every part of human life, including communication, transportation, manufacturing, industry, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry. Modern pharmacists use information technology (IT) tools to make their workdays more effective and productive.

Author:Stefano Mclaughlin
Reviewer:Karan Emery
Aug 15, 2022
142.6K Shares
1.9M Views
In recent years, technological progress has affected every part of human life, including communication, transportation, manufacturing, industry, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Modern pharmacists use information technology (IT) tools to make their workdays more effective and productive.
The pharmaceutical industryfaces many different problems on a regular basis, but when technology is involved, most tasks become much easier.
The medical department can improve its clinical, organizational, and financial performance with the help of a variety of different sorts of technologies.
AR-VR, machine learning, digital apps, artificial intelligence, blockchain, the internet of things, and 3D printers are some of the technologies that fall under this category.
People who work in the pharmaceutical industry, such as experts, developers, and government officials, are aware of the risks.
They are investigating a wide variety of advanced drives from a variety of different angles and perspectives.
Because it is still difficult to see what technological success will look like in the long run, it is not easy to determine what kinds of advancements should be made and how they should be made.

Ways Technology Has Improved The Pharmaceutical Industry

Telecare

To provide patients with telecare means to assist them in communicating digitally in order to bring healthcare services to the patient's location.
The use of telecare can be advantageous in many different ways.
The fact that the patient does not have to go to the doctor for treatment is the most significant benefit of this option.
Thanks to advancements in telecare technology, patients now have the ability to instantly consult with their physicians.
Not only does this help sick people save time, but it also helps them save money by preventing unnecessary spending.
This particular invention not only contributes to the smooth running of the operations but also improves the quality of medical care that is offered to the patients.
But its improvement is still being worked on, so it is still changing and getting better.

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Artificial Intelligence

Along the same lines as 3D printing, an increasing number of businesses, including the pharmaceutical industry, are turning to artificial intelligence (AI).
The development of artificial intelligence does not mean that machines are smarter than people, and the situation is just getting worse from there.
In this context, the term "artificial intelligence" simply refers to the utilization of computers and other forms of artificial intelligence for basic tasks, with the goal of reducing the amount of time spent on activities that require the use of human effort and mental capacity.
For example, similar technologies are being researched for use in the medical and pharmaceutical industries so that people can be identified by their faces.
Researchers working in the research and development portions of the pharmaceutical sector are also looking at artificial intelligence in order to identify different kinds of efficacy in the production of new ground-breaking medicines for components and chemicals.

3D-Printed Organs

The range of applications for 3D printing has expanded to include a wide range of businesses as it has become increasingly accessible and inexpensive.
Scientists and medical experts are looking into how to use bioprinters to make organs.
It is possible to print organs by using tissue that is printed by the printers.
Some people believe that within the next five years, 3D-printed organs will be utilized not just for transplantation but also for other purposes, such as scientific research.
Even though cutting-edge technology has the potential to end the shortage of organs that are currently available for transplant patients, no one knows how soon 3D-printed organs will be easy to get for transplant patients.

E-Prescription

E-prescription, a significant component of electronic health care records, is one of the ways in which medical professionals can demonstrate compliance with the regulations imposed by the reasonable consideration act.
Electronic prescriptions are better than the old way of evaluating patients because they help both doctors and drug stores.
By implementing e-prescriptions, medical professionals have the potential to save both time and money.
To keep the treatment process running smoothly, it is important to make sure that patients move from elective care to necessary care at the right time.
This provides further support for the prevention of errors brought about by misunderstanding.
Only a few urgent care centers have invested money in electronic prescription platforms.
An electronic solution structure is used in order to improve clinical treatments as well as distribution and management of those treatments.
Because of this, emergency clinics have been able to reduce the number of instances in which medication errors are made, which has allowed them to focus more on the health of their patients.

Bar Code Identification

When paired with e-prescription systems, the detection of bar codes on pharmaceuticals has been demonstrated to reduce errors in drug administration and increase the amount of information contained in medication histories.
On the other hand, health experts frequently create a method to prevent bar code identification since they believe the process of recognizing medications by bar code to be a time-consuming procedure.
The reason for this is that bar codes are used to track inventory.
The Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD), which is a directive for European healthcare suppliers, suggests that particular recognition of medication at the point of delivery be implemented in order to assist in the fight against forgery.
Even if the infrastructure to support this has not yet been built, the method will almost certainly involve the recognition of bar codes on medications, which will have a substantial effect on the workflow in pharmacies.

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Recording Immunization

Along with doctors, who are essential to society's health, pharmacists are in charge of immunization.
Each year, state governments increase the number and types of vaccines that local pharmacists can give to patients.
The effectiveness of vaccinations delivered by pharmacists is demonstrated by the fact that in 2012, about 15% of all flu shots were given locally.
Thanks to technological advancements, vaccinations at pharmacies can now be recorded to give a trustworthy and full health record for patients and their healthcare professionals.
This also makes the process of insurance reimbursement for pharmacies that offer vaccinations simpler.

Automated Dispensing Cabinet

An automated dispensing cabinet is a computerized drug storage unit or cabinet intended for hospitals (ADC).
Drug processing and dispensing close to the point of treatment is made possible by automated dispensing cabinets, which also maintain, track, and monitor drug distribution.
This speeds up the process of filling prescriptions and encourages staff to talk to patients instead of just filling prescriptions.

The Use Of AR-VR

As companies struggle to interact with experts and exploration timetables become a whirlwind of ever-increasing amounts of research, AR-VR has a lot to offer the pharmaceutical industry.
AR and VR are exciting new technologies that can meet a wide range of needs in the medical field because they can create a stunning virtual world with lots of small details.
AR and VR have made it possible for drug-target cooperation studies to get to this point.
By enabling researchers to more easily visualize the communications and, subsequently, upgrade and yet again engineer particles in accordance with site determinations, VR can increase productivity in the pre-improvement phases of medicine.

The Psycological Effects Of Technology

Here are some examples of negative psychological effects that could come from using technology too much or too much of the time:

Isolation

Even though technologies like social media are meant to bring people closer together, they may have the opposite effect in certain situations.
A 2017 studyof young people between the ages of 19 and 32 found that those who used social media more often were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated as those who didn't use social media as much.
Some people may feel less alone if they find ways to use social media less, like setting limits on how long they can use social apps.

Depression And Anxiety

According to the authors of a 2016 reviewthat looked at a lot of research, there is a link between using social networks and having mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Their investigation yielded conflicting findings. On these platforms, users who said they talked to more nice people and got more social support seemed to have less depression and anxiety.
On the other hand, the opposite was also true. People who felt they had more unfavorable social interactions online and those who were more prone to social comparison experienced higher degrees of despair and anxiety than those who did not fit either of these categories.
Therefore, it would appear that there is a connection between the use of social media and one's mental health.
However, a crucial component that plays a role in defining this connection is the types of interactions users believe they are having on these platforms.

The Physical Health Effects Of Technology

The use of technology may also make it more likely for people to get health problems like:

Eyestrain

Technology such as handheld tablets, cellphones, and laptops can retain a person's attention for extended periods of time. This could cause strain on the eyes.
Vision blurring and dryness of the eyes are two potential symptoms of digital eyestrain.
Eyestrain can also cause pain in other parts of the body, like the head, the neck, or the shoulders.
Eye strain can be caused by a number of technical variables, including the following:
  • Screen time
  • Screen glare
  • Screen brightness
  • Too close or too far away viewing
  • Poor sitting posture
  • Underlying vision issues
Taking frequent breaks from the screen can make it less likely that your eyes will get tired.
Anyone who experiences these symptoms on a consistent basis should go get an eye exam at an optometrist's office.

Poor Posture

It's possible that the manner in which many individuals use their mobile devices and laptops also contributes to poor posture.
Musculoskeletal problems could develop as a result of this over time.
There are numerous technologies that encourage a user position known as "down and forward," which means the individual is bent forward and staring down at the screen.
Because of this, the neck and spine may be subjected to an unwanted amount of pressure.
Texting while using a mobile phone was linked to either neck or upper back pain in young adults in a study that lasted for five years and was published in the journal Applied Ergonomics.
The findings suggested that the effects were largely temporary, but some individuals continued to have symptoms over a longer period of time.
Nevertheless, there is research that contradicts these conclusions.
If you have problems with your posture while using technology, correcting those flaws could contribute to an overall improvement in posture as well as strength in the core, the neck, and the back.
For instance, if a person finds that they are sitting in the same posture for hours at a time, such as sitting at a desk while working, regularly rising up and stretching may help lessen the amount of strain that is placed on the body.
In addition, taking frequent brief breaks, such as going for a stroll around the office every hour, can be an effective method for preventing muscle tension and poor posture as well as keeping the muscles relaxed.

Sleep Problems

The use of electronic devices too close to bedtime has been shown to disrupt sleep.
This is because blue light, which is the light that comes from electronics like cell phones, e-readers, and laptops, makes the brain work harder.
The authors of a study that was conducted in 2014 came to the conclusion that exposure to this blue light was sufficient to throw off the body's natural circadian rhythm.
This disruption may make it more difficult for a person to fall asleep, which may result in that person feeling less alert the following day.
People should stop using electronic devices that give off blue light at least an hour or two before bed to reduce the chance that blue light will hurt their brains.
Reading a book, performing some mild stretches, or taking a bath are all examples of alternatives to vigorous activities that can be used to wind down and relax.

Reduced Physical Activity

The majority of the digital tools we use every day are stationary. Prolonged use of these devices encourages a more sedentary lifestyle, which is known to have adverse impacts on one's health, including contributing to obesity and other weight-related conditions.
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Premature death
Finding ways to step away from sedentary technologies every so often could be beneficial to fostering a more active way of life.
However, the use of other sorts of technology might be of use.
According to research done in 2017, active technologies like app notifications, emails, and wearable technologies that encourage activity may cut down on how much time people spend sitting down in the near future.
As a result, people might be able to form healthier habits and become more physically active.
An aerial view of various medical pills of different colors, shapes, and sizes
An aerial view of various medical pills of different colors, shapes, and sizes

People Also Ask

How Has Technology Changed The Pharmaceutical Industry?

The newest technologies, like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and additive manufacturing, help pharmaceutical companies speed up research and development, make medicines for specific people, and test in new ways.

What Is Artificial Intelligence In The Pharmaceutical Industry?

Artificial intelligence is used in the pharmaceutical business to manage the process of clinical trial databases.
It keeps the data for all clinical trial databases up to date, organizes them, and saves them in a database.

What Are The New Innovations In The Pharmaceutical Industry?

Some of the biggest trends in the pharmaceutical industry are the use of artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing, blockchain, and other Sector 4.0 technologies.
The pharmaceutical sector is being disrupted by new technology and developing trends, including robots, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine.
As the demand for medicines rises and budgets are cut, there is a stronger emphasis on prevention than cure, the patient at the center, and a fresh focus on value.

Conclusion

How do all these technological improvements in the pharmaceutical industry relate to the duties of a pharmacist? It is easy.
Pharmacists will be the first people to give out prescriptions, and they often talk to patients when they take pills.
In order to answer patients' inquiries during pickup, they must stay current with new technology.
In addition to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians will also need to adjust to changes in the future.
The duties of a pharmacy technician in support of the pharmaceutical sector include managing pharmaceutical inventory, packaging and labeling of drugs, as well as providing customer service through things like phone support and personal inspections.
Pharmacists, managers, and pharmacy technicians are the people who connect the public with the pharmaceutical industry.
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Stefano Mclaughlin

Stefano Mclaughlin

Author
Stefano Mclaughlin is a Psychologist focused on mental health, emotional well-being, and healthcare policy. He studied Psychology and Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, gaining a deep understanding of the intersection between mental health and public policy. Stefano's mission is clear: he aims to destigmatize mental health discussions, improve access to mental healthcare, and promote emotional well-being for all. Drawing from personal experiences with anxiety and depression, Stefano shares real stories to make mental health topics more relatable and less intimidating. In addition to his advocacy work, Stefano enjoys delving into books, experimenting in the kitchen, and embarking on new adventures. These hobbies fuel his creativity and inspire fresh perspectives for his advocacy work.
Karan Emery

Karan Emery

Reviewer
Karan Emery, an accomplished researcher and leader in health sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, brings over two decades of experience to the table. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Stanford University, Karan's credentials underscore her authority in the field. With a track record of groundbreaking research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, Karan's expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community. Her writing style is characterized by its clarity and meticulous attention to detail, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Apart from her professional endeavors, Karan enjoys cooking, learning about different cultures and languages, watching documentaries, and visiting historical landmarks. Committed to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes, Karan Emery continues to make significant contributions to the fields of health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
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