Photo Credit: gettyimages/Chinnapong
The pharmaceutical and medical industries have been dominated by the
Covid-19 pandemic in recent months, which has had a profound effect on
everyday working practices in the sector. Vaccines that would normally
take years to develop and be approved have been given the green light in
a fraction of that time, while healthcare professionals worldwide have
had to adapt to remote consultations, and many routine interventions
have been postponed.
As the sector recovers post-pandemic, research into the prevention of
diseases such as Covid-19 will continue, while the focus is also
shifting towards digital healthcare solutions. Consulting firm PWC says
new technologies and emerging trends such as robotics and artificial
intelligence are having a growing impact.
AI can help by rapidly processing data, and identifying potential
treatment options, while robotics can carry out some of the sector's
more mundane tasks, giving healthcare professionals the chance to spend
valuable time with patients. PWC also says there will be a greater
emphasis on prevention rather than cure.
Findings from McKinsey, meanwhile, released last July, outline how
rapid healthcare change within Asia Pacific is being driven by shifting
demographics, rising consumer expectations and technological
innovations. It says that consumers are spending more on health and
wellness and increasingly demanding access to convenient, affordable
care.
On the horizon
Upcoming events in Asia include the 24th Asia Pharma Congress, taking
place in Singapore from 24-25 March, and focusing on the future outlook
and growth of Covid-19 pharmaceutical research. Topics include
regulatory affairs and international property rights, nanotechnology and
clinical trends and research.
Two further events in Singapore include the 12th World Congress on
Healthcare, from 20-21 June, and Medical Fair Asia from 23 August to 2
September, which will showcase the latest medical supplies, while
conference topics will cover the future of pain medicine and risk
mitigation strategies.
In Japan, the 6th International Conference on Medical and Health
Informatics will be held in Kyoto from 13-15 May, while Hong Kong will
host the World Congress on Advanced Pharmacy and Clinical Research,
taking place on 6 March.