Empowering the pharmaceutical workforce for the digital future

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Maclean, Natalie and Abrahmsén-Alami, Susanna and Clark, Catriona and Dörr, Frederik and Florence, Alastair and Ketolainen, Jarkko and Lindow, Morten and Mantanus, Jérôme and Rantanen, Jukka and Reynolds, Gavin and Robertson, Amy and Markl, Daniel (2026) Empowering the pharmaceutical workforce for the digital future. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 220. 107449. ISSN 0928-0987 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107449)

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Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation. These changes are reshaping drug substance and drug product development and manufacturing, creating both opportunities and challenges that span pharmaceutical sciences, data science, and automation engineering. However, significant skills gaps persist, limiting the sector’s ability to fully leverage digital technologies and sustain innovation. This paper explores the shifting digital and data science skills needs within the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on industrial pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences in the UK and Europe. We examine the key technological transformations reshaping the sector, the evolution of job roles, and the attributes required of the future workforce. Building on these insights, we propose an integrated approach to skills development that spans the entire career lifecycle – from embedding digital competencies in higher education to supporting lifelong learning through flexible, industry-aligned continuing professional development. Addressing these skills gaps requires coordinated action from academia, industry, and policymakers. By fostering a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and adaptive learning ecosystem, the pharmaceutical sector can equip its workforce to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape and continue improving global health and wellbeing.

ORCID iDs

Maclean, Natalie ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0768-1673, Abrahmsén-Alami, Susanna, Clark, Catriona, Dörr, Frederik, Florence, Alastair ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9706-8364, Ketolainen, Jarkko, Lindow, Morten, Mantanus, Jérôme, Rantanen, Jukka, Reynolds, Gavin, Robertson, Amy and Markl, Daniel ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0411-733X;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)