Indian pharma takes the digital leap: What does it mean for cybersecurity?

While the prowess of Indian pharma had been known for a long time, the pharma sector came centre stage during the pandemic, for developing a home-grown vaccine in record time. Even though India has a prominent role to play in high-end generic drug manufacturing, the real differentiator will be the move towards becoming innovators, by creating innovative drugs, digital solutions, and personalised healthcare, thereby enhancing quality, accessibility, and affordability across the care spectrum.

One of the key enablers to achieve this is through digital transformation, with the use of cloud, big data/analytics, automation, and AI. However, to be able to scale this vision and growth sustainably, and create trust globally, the pharma sector needs an important ‘cog in its wheel’ - ‘cybersecurity’.

To develop a deeper understanding of digital transformation and cybersecurity changes in the pharma sector, the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and Deloitte India conducted comprehensive discussions with industry experts and large pharma organisations in India and globally. Through this joint report, titled, ‘Indian pharma takes the digital leap – what does it mean for cybersecurity?’, we aim to bring out the rapid changes the pharma sector is witnessing, supported by digital transformation, and the way it affects their cybersecurity posture.

Key highlights

Evolution of digital transformation in leading pharma companies

The corporate side of pharma (which includes functions such as finance, HR, sales, and marketing) is witnessing changes like any other sector with hybrid work models, digital workplace, use of collaboration tools, digital learning, digital recruitment, etc. At the same time, the scope and scale of digitalisation happening across certain key functions of the pharma value chain, including research and clinical development, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercialisation.