A ‘break in the clouds’ is now clearly visible in the dark and overcast sky – witnessing a global havoc caused by the Coronavirus pandemic in the healthcare space – with its severe socioeconomic consequences. The name of the game to combat this gargantuan crisis in a heavily restricted environment with success, is adding ‘error-free speed’ in all aspects of the planned countermeasures.
This isn’t a very easy task, either. And certainly, is possible with well-integrated digital interventions. From this perspective, one can construe this situation as ‘break in the clouds’ that can be leveraged by pharma companies for digital transformation of their respective business operations.
It may also be interpreted as a blessing in disguise, because such transformation will empower the companies to take appropriate effective measures with speed. When effectively leveraged, such strategic steps will help pharma players in two ways. One, to contain the virus spread while ensuring access to care through business operations. And the second, will help propel the organization to move ahead, even within such a crisis. However, the ‘Digitalization’ process is multifaceted, having, at least two fundamental prerequisites. In this article, I shall focus on this strategic space.
Alternative ways to provide health care is fast gaining ground:
The product and service delivery models of pharma companies are generally built around the concept of physical presence of patients while consulting a doctor or other health care providers. However, Coronavirus pandemic has triggered some significant changes in this area. Let me illustrate this point with some contemporary references.
As the recent L.E.K paper – ‘COVID-19 and the Acceleration of Digital Health in APAC’ emphasized – ‘by sheer necessity, governments and regulators have also reduced the barriers to participation and uptake for remote engagement of consumers, enabling access to care despite social distancing measures,’ during the pandemic. Moreover, a technical guidance paper, published by the World Health Organization (W.H.O) on April 1, 2020 on strengthening health systems against COVID-19, also recognizes ‘telemedicine’ as an alternative model for delivery of care to ensure the continuous running of essential health care.
COVID-19 will take health system digitalization to a new level:
The above L.E.K paper also pointed out – in the days and months ahead, COVID-19 will accelerate the ‘digitalization’ of health systems to a new level. Especially when, healthcare stakeholders adopt a more urgent, no-holds-barred strategy to stem the rising tide of infections. L.E.K article predicted, the new ways of working and behaviors, forged and refined in the heat of battle against COVID-19, will not be easily put “back in the box.” Consequently, this increasingly digitalized reality will force a paradigm shift in the healthcare ecosystem, the paper concluded.
‘A virtually perfect solution’ to neutralize Covid-19 impact:
Another paper - ‘Virtually Perfect? Telemedicine for Covid-19,’ published in the NEJM on April 30, 2020 wrote, disasters and pandemics pose unique challenges to health care delivery. It underscored, ‘Though telehealth will not solve them all, it’s well suited for scenarios in which infrastructure remains intact and clinicians are available to see patients.’ It also indicated, telemedicine may be a virtually perfect solution, particularly where such infrastructure is available.
‘Governments must reimagine healthcare delivery’:
That ‘Telemedicine can be a COVID-19 game-changer’ - both now, and in a post-pandemic world, was also articulated by another article, published by the World Economic Forum on May 13, 2020. It suggested: ‘Governments must reimagine healthcare delivery in the face of COVID-19.’
This is mainly because, ....continue reading - Time For Pharma To Leverage ‘The Break In The Cloud
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