Process optimisation, cryogenic storage, AI in manufacturing and patient centricity were highlights of Pharma Congress in Amsterdam.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing & Packaging Congress (PHARMAP 2024) took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands recently considered to be one of the largest in Europe, it facilitated networking and partnerships among key decision-makers, driving the market forward through innovations in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and packaging solutions.
More than 330 professionals from various sectors of the industry's value chain attended, including contract manufacturing organisations, service providers, and subject matter experts. Top executives from leading pharmaceutical companies such as Merck, Bayer AG, Novartis, Takeda, Pfizer, MSD, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and Organon, among others, were present at the event organised by BGS group.
Sessions in the congress explored novel approaches to pharmaceutical manufacturing models industry 4.0, advancements like MES, robotics, quality packaging, alongside addressing urgent supply chain and logistics challenges. They also covered topics such as packaging compliance, the promotion of sustainability, and the scaling up of production through efficient project management and eco-friendly solutions. Participants engaged in discussions on optimising pharmaceutical processes, designing packaging with patients in mind. Additionally, they discussed best practices for serialisation compliance and the emerging opportunities in the serialisation market powered by AI and cloud computing. The exploration also included discussions on pharmaceutical trends, market forecasts, and essential quality control practices.
Chakravarthi AVPS from India, noted personality in pharma & packaging fields, Chairman of FOPE (Federation of Pharma entrepreneurs India) Telangana & AndhraPradesh and Global Ambassador at WPO World Packaging Organisation was invited to deliver a special address at this event.
In his address Chakravarthi highlighted the significance of patient-centricity and evolving trends in pharmaceuticals and life sciences, with a special focus on the pivotal role of packaging in healthcare. He outlined various examples of innovative packaging solutions which lead to improving healthcare outcomes. In the pharmaceutical industry, the primary focus often lies on drug research, development, and production. However, the true effectiveness of these efforts hinges on patients adhering to their prescribed medications. He further said "Drugs don't work in patients who don't take them." This underscores the importance of patient-centricity, which involves creating products that are inclusive, engaging, efficient, and informative.
Emphasising his statement ‘packaging a secondary physician, particularly’ in today's post-pandemic landscape he further said focus is now on ease of administration, dosage accuracy, dose monitoring, and minimising medication errors, while ensuring drug efficacy and compliance with regulatory standards in pharmaceutical packaging design.
Chakravarthi also moderated a session on sustainable packaging in the pharma industry. Today the pharmaceutical sector is experiencing mounting pressure to embrace sustainable approaches as environmental awareness, consumer expectations for eco-conscious products are on the rise.
Packaging is vital for protecting pharmaceuticals throughout the supply chain, but it also significantly impacts the industry's environmental footprint. To tackle this challenge, pharmaceutical companies are embracing sustainable packaging solutions to minimise waste and reduce environmental impact. This shift is driven by increasing environmental concerns, consumer demand for eco-friendly products, and the recognition that sustainability is not only a moral obligation but also crucial for long-term success in the industry.
Participants emphasised significance of such events and felt they are essential especially to update the latest regulations and abreast rapidly evolving trends in the sector and increasing demands of industry and patients.