Advancing sustainability through digitalization: from drug development to patient care

Abstract

Digitalization is transforming the pharmaceutical industry, offering innovative solutions to enhance sustainability across the pharmaceutical value chain. From drug discovery to patient care, digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, and digital twins optimize processes, reduce resource use, and mitigate environmental and social impacts. In drug discovery, AI accelerates and optimizes research while green chemistry initiatives prevent toxic waste. During manufacturing, predictive maintenance and quality control boost efficiency, and digital tools ensure secure, traceable distribution and enhance supply chain transparency. Within clinical care, AI-driven personalized medicine improves patient outcomes and reduces inefficiencies, while digital health records, diagnostics, and therapies promote healthcare equity and expand access. Collectively, these innovations align the industry with global sustainability goals, advancing a pharmaceutical ecosystem that is more efficient, environmentally responsible, and socially just. Yet challenges in energy demand, data equity, and regulatory adaptation must be addressed to tap into the full potential of a digital transformation.