Ananya Jha

Pharmaceutical Access Network: Empowering

Informed Medical Decisions

ABSTRACT:

The Pharmaceutical Access Network (PAN) stands at the forefront of a transformative

shift in how people obtain vital drug information and access pharmacy services. Its
primary objective is to empower individuals with precise and reliable data, enabling
them to make informed medical decisions, especially during inconvenient and critical
situations. The paper includes the various technical aspects of the presented solution
along with a cost-benefit analysis.

INTRODUCTION:

What if, in the face of adversity, sparked innovation?

2020 marked the beginning of an unprecedented crisis witnessed by the entire world.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic had hit the emerging as well as the developed
economies in a way they weren't prepared for.

By the end of 2020, there were over 83 million confirmed cases and more than 1.8
million deaths worldwide, and the global economy contracted by approximately 4.3%.

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Hospitals were flooded with patients infected with the virus, pharmacies and medical
companies lacked no opportunities to make profits, be it ethically or otherwise, and
there was a shortage of resources in the world.

Vaccines were developed, imported, and exported to and from different countries.

Yet initially there remained a form of unspoken fear amongst the masses. The fear of
the vaccine which had long existed.

Amidst this chaos, the development and distribution of vaccines became a ray of hope.
However, a significant portion of the population harbored doubts and fears about these
vaccines. Questions about vaccine composition, potential side effects, suitable
vaccines for different demographics, and the timing of vaccinations lingered in the
minds of many.

Thankfully, our government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) addressed
most of these concerns.

However, what of the other drugs to be used in critical conditions?

Though the pandemic was declared as "no longer a global emergency", other health
concerns still remain. There is no one-shot cure for viral flu, a high fever, or even high
blood pressure.

Say, someone suddenly himself in a situation of a medical emergency at an

inconvenient time. The nearest pharmacy doesn't hold the required drug and he cannot
leave the patient unattended to purchase the medicine from another pharmacy. If the
pharmacies in the district do not have a system of inventory control, it can indeed be
challenging for individuals to access the necessary treatment promptly, potentially
jeopardizing the patient's health.

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In this case, the underlying assumption was that the person had some knowledge of the
required drug. This situation becomes even more complex when the person seeking the
medication is not aware of the specific drug needed or lacks sufficient medical
knowledge to diagnose the condition accurately. Relying solely on the information
provided by the patient or a non-medical professional (like a pharmacist) to determine
the appropriate treatment can be risky. Pharmacists are not qualified to diagnose
medical conditions solely based on symptoms, and providing medication without
proper assessment and prescription can be dangerous and unethical.

WHY SHOULD PHARMACEUTICALS ENJOY MORE CONNECTIVITY?

For every business, there are discretionary values and mandatory values. The two may
overlap as prevalent in the healthcare industry. The central question revolves around
whether it should prioritize these principles and obligations in addition to its primary
goal of generating profits through its services.

Indeed, many business leaders deny any conflict between self-interest and the interests
of all. Adam Smith's "invisible hand", they believe, ensures that the pursuit of our own
interests in the free market will further the interests of all. However, even Adam Smith
did not advocate that businessmen should seek their personal interests instead of the
public interest. A competitive or free economy is an efficient system, but it is obvious
that private business activities often result in adverse effects on public health and
social welfare due to their profit motive.

Pharmaceuticals, like any other, is an extensive business. Its core value is centered
around a common discretionary value - Quality Healthcare. However, is it obligated to
project its discretionary or moral value as quality healthcare? It could be the
mandatory value expected to be fulfilled but so is earning profits to survive and grow.

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In India, the state provides free healthcare, however, credence to the majority
population living in poverty, most of the government healthcare, though widely
available, is not the best in standards.

In the 'Health of the Nation' by Ali Mehdi, the first comprehensive analysis of the
Indian healthcare sector is discussed. It addresses the state of the health sector
regulation in the country and the various factors influencing it. Whether a system’s
outcome is unpredictable because of limitations that arise for accurate prediction, or
because the system’s outcome is inherently unpredictable, unexpected events that
create critical situations are intrinsic to organizational life. For health services
researchers and policymakers, the challenge is not how to avoid unexpected crises but
rather how to deal with them.

If pharmacies and hospitals, both public and private, enjoy more connectivity, both
values might be better met, leading to increased efficiency. This 'optimized value' can
further cultivate increased awareness about a variety of health-related issues with
patients and the public in general.

HOW WOULD A COMPREHENSIVE AI-INDUCED DATABASE HELP?

This would cultivate a patient-centered healthcare system. Doctors and medics would
have access to the patient's previous healthcare records, which in turn would help in
making a clear diagnosis. This would also ensure a clear line of communication
between the doctor and the patient. Moreover, each patient would have their profile
personalized in regards to the diet, exercises, etc. they should follow. Apart from
enjoying greater access to information, patients would not only be able to track their
health records but also make appointments at their nearest hospital or clinic easily in a
few steps. The healthcare system would altogether enjoy greater connectivity and the
earlier extensive process would be simplified comparatively.

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THE PLAN:

The Problem:
In today's society, this pressing issue persists wherein individuals often lack access to
crucial information regarding the appropriate drugs and pharmacies to purchase from.
This information deficit extends to essential details concerning the composition of
drugs, leading to potential health risks. Furthermore, inefficient inventory control in
pharmacies can aggravate the problem, causing the unavailability of necessary
medications when patients require them most urgently. This predicament often forces
pharmacies to dispense drugs at random, without proper prescriptions, for minor health
concerns like fevers or coughs, potentially compromising patient care.

The Idea:
Our visionary solution entails the creation of a comprehensive and transformative
database, known as the Pharmaceutical Access Network (PAN). PAN will serve as a
centralized platform that integrates essential information about pharmaceutical
products, pharmacies, and government-regulated medications. Its primary objective is
to empower individuals with precise and reliable data, enabling them to make
informed medical decisions, especially during inconvenient and critical situations.

Key Features and Functionality:

Extensive Drug Information:

PAN will provide in-depth and up-to-date data on various drugs available in the
market, encompassing detailed compositions, recommended dosages, potential side
effects, and interactions with other medications. This data will be sourced directly
from reputable manufacturers and health authorities to ensure accuracy and reliability.

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Verification will be obtained from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization
(CDSCO) and the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India.

Pharmacy Comparison:
Through PAN, users can easily compare different pharmacies based on factors such as
product availability, proximity, pricing, and relevant customer reviews. This feature
will promote competition among pharmacies, encouraging them to maintain sufficient
stock of essential drugs and fostering efficient inventory management.

Collaboration and Inventory Management:

To address the issue of drug unavailability, PAN will facilitate seamless collaboration
among pharmacies within a given locality. Whenever a particular pharmacy runs out
of a critical drug, it can promptly connect with nearby pharmacies through the
network. This inter-pharmacy communication will enable the arrangement of
substantial quantities of the required drug, ensuring continuous access to essential
medications for patients in need. Registered phone numbers of the pharmacies along
with trained personnel to facilitate the movement of the drugs.

Private vs. Government Medications Comparison:

One of PAN's distinctive offerings is a comparative analysis between drugs
manufactured by private companies, such as Dr. Reddy's or Apollo and the standard
basic drugs produced under the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Domestic
Manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs). This comparison will enable
users to assess the efficacy, safety, and affordability of various drug options, fostering
a more educated healthcare decision-making process.

Feasibility and Scalability:

The feasibility of PAN rests on advancements in cloud computing, big data analytics,
and secure data management protocols. By leveraging these technologies, we can
develop a scalable, secure, and user-friendly platform that caters to a diverse user base,

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ranging from patients and healthcare professionals to pharmacists and drug
manufacturers. The service will comply with the provisions of the newly introduced
Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.

HOW WOULD IT WORK?

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THE PROFIT ASPECT:
Since access to the database would be free, it is crucial to identify key areas where
there's scope to earn profits and reduce costs.

Revenue Streams:
1. Advertisement and Sponsorship: Partnering with pharmaceutical companies or
related businesses to display targeted advertisements on the platform or
promoting certain drugs, generating advertising revenue.
2. E-commerce Commissions: If PAN incorporates an e-commerce component for
online drug purchases, the platform could earn a commission on each sale made
through its website.
3. Data Licensing: Offering anonymized and aggregated data to research
institutions, pharmaceutical companies, or healthcare analytics firms for market
research purposes only with the consent of the user.
4. Collaborations: Commissions may be charged. (see later)
5. Donations: The site may accept a minimal donation for various health-related
causes. After charging a commission, all the funds will be donated to the said
cause.

Cost Structure: The cost structure of PAN will include both initial development costs
and ongoing operational expenses, such as:
1. Website Development and Maintenance: The cost of building and maintaining
the website or web application, including hosting fees, domain registration, and
software updates.
2. Database Management: Ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive drug
information within the platform may require collaboration with reputable
sources, which could entail licensing or data acquisition costs.

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3. Marketing and Promotion: Investment in marketing strategies to attract
pharmacies, healthcare professionals, and potential users to subscribe and use
the platform.
4. Staff and Technical Support: Hiring personnel to handle customer support,
platform management, and technical issues.

Market Penetration: The success and profit margin of PAN will also depend on its
ability to gain market and attract a substantial user base. The competitive landscape,
user adoption rates, and market demand will be crucial in projecting potential
revenues.

Regulatory and Legal Considerations: PAN's operations may be subject to

regulatory compliance, data privacy laws, and other legal requirements, which could
impact costs and revenue generation.
1. As previously mentioned, provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection
Bill 2023 will be upheld.
2. A security pin will be generated in case a user logs in from multiple devices.
3. Verifications from the CDSCO and Department of Pharmaceuticals will be
done timely.
4. The certificate of medicine signifying the doctor's eligibility, and registration of
DM's with the Medical Council of India will be regulated.
5. Personal Details: Details will NOT be shared to third-party websites. The only
mandatory information would be name, phone number, and age, while the rest
would be optional.

Collaboration: Collaborations with different medical apps like Practo for an online
diagnosis on a one-to-one basis with the doctors may be included.

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AI Bot: An AI assistant would be available to assist the user with a variety of
concerns such as connecting with a tech support member, identifying a particular drug,
the procedure for connecting with a doctor, etc.

Economic Conditions: Economic conditions and changes in the healthcare industry

can influence PAN's profit margin. For instance, a higher demand for accessible and
reliable drug information during a healthcare crisis may boost revenues, while
economic downturns could affect advertising spending and other costs associated.

LIMITATIONS:

1) Data Accuracy and Reliability:

Challenge: Maintaining accurate and reliable drug information can be difficult due to
the number of drugs available and the frequent changes in regulations.
Mitigation: Collaborate with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization
(CDSCO) and established pharmaceutical manufacturers for accurate data. Regularly
update the database with inputs from verified sources.

2) Regulatory Compliance:
Challenge: Navigating India's strict pharmaceutical regulations and data privacy laws
like the Personal Data Protection Bill can be complex. Ensuring the security of
medical and user data in compliance with Indian data protection regulations can also
be demanding.
Mitigation: Consult with Indian legal experts specializing in pharmaceutical and data
privacy laws. Obtain necessary approvals from CDSCO for displaying drug-related
content. Adhere to guidelines from the Information Technology (Reasonable Security
Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011.
Implement strong encryption, regular security audits, and clear user consent
mechanisms (Double Verification, OTP, etc.)

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3) Technical Infrastructure:
Challenge: Building scalable technical infrastructure that can handle traffic spikes in
India's growing digital landscape requires careful planning.
Mitigation: Partner with Indian cloud service providers for localized infrastructure.
Employ content delivery networks (CDNs) to ensure optimal performance across the
country's diverse network conditions.

4) Pharmacy Cooperation:
Challenge: Addressing Indian pharmacies' concerns about sharing inventory data with
competitors.
Mitigation: Leverage local business networks and associations to promote the benefits
of collaboration. Stress improved customer service and community health outcomes.

5) Technical Literacy:
Challenge: Ensuring that the platform is user-friendly and accessible to individuals of
all technical backgrounds.
Mitigation: Prioritize intuitive design and a user-friendly interface. Provide user
guides, video tutorials, and responsive customer support to assist users in navigating
the platform.

OUR 5-YEAR GOALS:

1. Increasing Market Size: The global digital health market is projected to reach
$511.97 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 26.5% from 2019 to 2026. This
indicates a substantial market opportunity for a comprehensive digital database
in the healthcare sector.\
2. Revenue Potential: Due to the increased market demand for digital health
services, there is a potential to generate more revenue. Much of it would be
donated to noble causes pertaining to the healthcare research and development
sector.

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3. Partnerships and Data Monetization: Successfully form partnerships with
pharmaceutical companies for targeted advertisements and commission on
sales. For example, as a digital platform that provides information on
prescription drugs and discounts, we can partner with various pharmaceutical
companies and generate revenue through advertising and referral fees.

CONCLUSION:
The Pharmaceutical Access Network (PAN) stands at the forefront of a transformative
shift in how people obtain vital drug information and access pharmacy services.
Through its efforts to bridge the information divide and foster collaboration among
pharmacies, PAN is poised to enable individuals to make well-informed medical
decisions, whether in times of emergencies or for their everyday healthcare
requirements. With its focus on comparing private and government-regulated drugs,
PAN is set to play a substantial role in enhancing healthcare outcomes and
safeguarding the health and well-being of communities throughout the nation.

REFERENCES:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10292032/
https://data.gov.in
https://www.india.gov.in/nhm-health-statistics-information-portal

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