That’s because manufacturing failures, breakdowns or slow downs result in drug shortages. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that 65% of all drug shortages are caused by manufacturing and quality issues. And if drugs aren’t available to the people who need them, drastic doesn’t even begin to describe the effects on the patient.
So the FDA is working with pharma manufacturers to make significant improvements. One thing they are doing is reaching out to other industries, including electronics, chemicals and automotive, to find best practices that are transferrable to pharma and are helping drug manufacturers adopt the ideas and principles that are working elsewhere, the FDA Voice reports.
Among those best practices, according to McKinsey, are the use of advanced analytics, sensors, automation (Internet of Things) and 3D printing. One pharmaceutical company, in fact, has even tested using 3D technology to print Spritam—an epilepsy drug.
Aprecia, the manufacturer of Spritam, has exclusive rights to utilize Powder-liquid 3DP, a 3D printing technology developed by MIT in the 1980s. The technique enables the company’s ZipDose delivery platform. By printing a tablet consisting of layers of powder, Aprecia drugs can achieve a high degree of dissolvability in liquid. Aprecia recently received a $35 million round of funding to scale up its 3D process.
Novartis will likely introduce automation into its R&D and manufacturing facility as it works to reduce costs by another $1 billion over the next four years. Novartis is planning to centralize its manufacturing operations across divisions into a single technical operations unit, according to FiercePharmaManufacturing.
Meanwhile the pharma industry overall, unlike some other sectors, is at the very beginning stages of digital transformation, McKinsey says. To move forward, pharma manufacturers must think of themselves as solutions providers, not product makers.
The technology is ready, McKinsey says, but pharmaceuticals manufacturers still have a long way to go.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
