Abstract:

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various stages of drug development. AI technologies are being increasingly used to enhance drug discovery, optimize manufacturing processes, and improve patient outcomes. The potential for AI to reduce drug development timelines, minimize costs, and predict patient responses more accurately is substantial. However, the adoption of AI also raises significant challenges, including data privacy concerns, the need for robust AI regulation, and the ethical implications of machine-driven decisions in drug development. This research explores the current role of AI in pharmaceutical research, its potential to reshape the industry, and the challenges that need to be addressed for effective integration. Using a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative interviews with industry professionals and quantitative surveys, the study assesses AI's impact on various facets of pharmaceutical practice, from R&D to market delivery, and proposes guidelines for the ethical and efficient integration of AI into pharmaceutical processes.