Iranian Pharmaceutical Industry Future Trends: An Expert Panel Analysis

Manuchehr Bashirynejad; Fatemeh Soleymani; Shekoufeh Nikfar; Abbas Kebriaeezadeh; Reza Majdzadeh; Ali Zackery; Nafiseh Zare

doi:10.18502/jppm.v11i1.20275

Manuchehr Bashirynejad Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Soleymani Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shekoufeh Nikfar Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abbas Kebriaeezadeh Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Reza Majdzadeh Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Zackery Department of Industrial Engineering and Futures Studies, Faculty of Engineering, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
Nafiseh Zare Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jppm.v11i1.20275

Keywords: Pharmaceutical Industry, Future, Trends, Expert Panel, Iran

Abstract

Background: The pharmaceutical industry is changing worldwide due to innovations in biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital health. These advances are changing both drug development and healthcare systems, which must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly aging population and rising medical care costs. This paper aims to delineate in more detail the changing face of the pharmaceutical industry in Iran's future.

Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach was employed to collect the opinion of experts through the help of in-depth interviews (n=12), performed a thematic analysis, and further used the Analytic Hierarchy Process, validating our results through further expert reviews. Participants had averaged over 22 years of experience.

Results: Five broad categories of trends were identified and weighted based on their significance: These are weighted in regard to the relative importance of each: Technology Advancement (0.31), Digital Transformation (0.28), Biotechnological Innovation (0.22), Supply Chain & Regulatory Evolution (0.12), and Leadership & Soft Skill Development (0.07). Our study emphasizes two very modern and fast-growing trends—artificial intelligence and personalized medicine—along with the difficulties Iran might experience with these advanced technologies.

Conclusion: The future of the drug company in Iran is yet promising, with its own set of challenges. It has much to win and will have to overcome a host of regulatory bottlenecks and a lack of infrastructure so as not to stay behind in the race as AI and digital healthcare solutions seem to pick up speed around the globe.