We are in the era of Industry 4.0, also termed the Imagination Age. This is the time of metaverse, cyber-physical changes, virtual connectivity, artificial intelligence, big data, and smart automation. Lately, Pharmaceuticals have witnessed the inclusion of technological changes in terms of quality control systems, drug manufacturing, and supply networks.
However, nothing happened overnight. To know more, read further.
Lab evolution
The foremost goal of pharma 4.0 is to minimize human efforts and maximize accuracy via the computational strength of intelligent networks. Pharmaceutical manufacturing has already taken a flight with the inclusion of big data analytics and machine-to-machine communication. Quality testing labs are now equipped with high-tech facilities which extract intricate details from the samples to give out exact validation.
Currently, the pharmaceutical laboratories are divided into three categories as per the degree of digitization and sustainability incorporated in them. They are elaborated below.
- Digitally-enabled laboratories: These are near to 100% digitized and have minimal paperwork involving labs that work with a central database. Their machines conduct an end-to-end data transcription between machinery and automated systems for real-time report analytics, prior information about breakdowns and repairs, and other irregularities associated with them. These are managed by expert data scientists in collaboration with IT teams. Such labs cut down the expenses by 25-30% and examination workload by almost 90%.
With the help of optimization of procedure and proper scheduling, lab lead time can be gradually lowered by 20%, consequently boosting productivity and run-time.
- Automated laboratories: These are upgraded versions of digitized labs with automated testing methodologies. One-third of testing, mainly the high-volume sampling, is done via digital techniques, and the rest in the production unit is under the supervision of super technicians and robotics experts. The introduction of smart automation is eventually discarding the traditional testing methods like hemocytometer, chromatography, etc.
Automation reduces the logistics and total time involved in sample testing and delivery of reports, raising the productivity of the lab by almost 80% alongside the feature for remote aid for upkeep. A financial cutdown of almost 25% is guaranteed for the microbiology labs and 8% for chemical laboratories on similar trends.
Automated laboratories require high financial investments, rich infrastructure, and the best research and development facilities for maintenance and survival in the long run.
- Distributed quality control: These are the most advanced pharmaceutical labs with maximum automation installations and state-of-the-art facilities. Nearly 80% of quality control testing is done in real-time, and the rest 20% on the manufacturing site. Automatic transcription transfer to sustain relevance between workload and machinery effort is one of their hallmark features.
Since these are AI-equipped labs, all procedures are executed with real-time release testing(RTRT) and process analytical technologies (PAT) that have proved to produce maximum productivity and explicit outcomes.
The last note
Pharmaceuticals are now advancing at their highest pace, with research and development teams in sync with the motives of pharma 4.0. If you are still ambiguous about the transition from traditional to modern systems, get in touch with https://antsolutions.eu/products/oee-performance-monitoring/ - ANT Software for adequate resources, higher compliance, and utmost quality offshoots.