The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology into the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry is demonstrating significant benefits on several fronts. Whether it is incorporation of real-world data into clinical investigations or automation of operations to streamline key processes, technology is driving the industry forward. Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety is part of the industry that is increasingly adopting AI and ML technology to enhance drug safety- be it in the detection of adverse drug events (ADEs), processing of safety reports, or identifying drug-drug interactions for better patient safety.
Detecting adverse drug events
Data on ADEs that have been reported by patients themselves is a key source of safety information for pharmacovigilance and post-market safety surveillance. In an era of ‘tweets’ and 140-character limit posts, to-the-point, and direct safety information is reported on platforms such as Twitter straight from the patient. The use of ML in directly extracting ADE data from these sources could be beneficial. A study conducted by Alvaro and colleagues utilized various ML models to identify keywords related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive enhancers from 1548 tweets to extract ADE data related to these treatment options. This is advantageous as it captures information on ADEs that may not have been collected by medical professionals and demonstrates how successful ML models are in sifting through large volumes of data for more precise results [1].
Processing safety reports
Conclusion
Indeed, the use of AI and ML technology in Pharmaceuticals and Life sciences has come a long way. Be it in regulatory affairs, medico-regulatory writing, or pharmacovigilance- the pharmaceutical sector is experiencing exponential technological growth to enhance operations and processes. Particularly in pharmacovigilance services and drug safety, exploiting advanced technology is resulting in better & more accurate real-world data that provides a better understanding of a drug’s safety profile, to ensure patient safety and minimize risk of ADEs.
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