Newsletter: Can Pharma Audits Go High-Tech?
Virtual reality gives the gift of remote audits at pharma companies without sacrificing quality or safety.
This was a short newsletter sent via email, written for the target audience of a client specializing in 360° VR technology. It summarizes an article that mentioned the client, Avatour, and their VR tech.
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SUBJECT: Can pharma quality go high-tech?
HEADLINE: VR Technology is here to stay.
Every crisis creates an opportunity for innovation. The travel restrictions imposed in response to COVID disrupted routine operations for companies worldwide, putting essential services on hold.
The pharmaceutical industry was no exception, as the FDA postponed its on-site inspections, resulting in delays and shortages of important supplies, including those being developed and used to treat COVID-19.
This forced companies to make use of and expand on already existing novel technologies. Not only did they overcome the obstacles they faced but they also became more efficient at performing routine procedures, such as on-site audits.
Video-conferencing tools, borescopes, secondary cameras, augmented and virtual reality technologies were used in tandem with smartphones and other mobile devices. This allowed regulators to keep pace with or even exceed their habitual amount of facility inspections and tours annually.
Notable platforms include Microsoft’s HoloLens and Teams, Apprentice.io’s Tandem, and Avatour’s 360-degree, on-site communication systems.
While virtual regulatory inspections have proven reliable and efficient, implementing the platforms requires a considerable degree of preparation, coordination, and infrastructure to ensure the technology’s proper functioning.
VR visits require far more care and sophistication than simply clicking on a link for a Zoom meeting. They need:
Reliable wireless internet and bandwidth running throughout the facilities.
Backup systems.
A team of experts overseeing all operations.
A map of the area where the tours and audits will take place.
Despite the complexity of the requirements, the benefits of employing VR technologies far outweigh the costs. That is why platforms such as Avatour have seen a rate of 25% growth per month, with around 12 pharma companies deploying their system.
The number of people who can participate in their virtual tours continues to increase, as their system can be expanded seamlessly. Auditors are impressed with the clarity and sense of immersion when using the platform to carry out their inspections.
As 5G, Starlink, and other such communication technologies continue to evolve, they are paving the way for an even more enhanced virtual experience.
Soon we’ll see VR systems such as those offered by Avatour incorporated into many other standard operating procedures involving high risk. The investment of time and money will be more than worth it.
So to answer the question: Can pharma audits go high-tech? Yes, they can.
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THE CALL TO ACTION: Click “Learn More” to read the full article or click to head over to Avatour’s 360° Remote Collaboration Platform.