AI set to transform drug discovery and regulation: Department of Pharmaceuticals
The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers on Saturday highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the pharmaceutical sector during a webinar organised as part of Sādhana Saptah 2026.
The session, titled “AI and Emerging Technologies in Pharmaceuticals and Regulations,” focused on how AI is reshaping the entire drug development lifecycle – from early-stage research to regulatory approval and post-market surveillance.
Addressing the webinar, Prof. Manoj Kumar from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, outlined how AI is accelerating innovation in drug discovery. He explained that AI tools are enabling faster identification of drug targets, optimization of compounds, and prediction of molecular interactions, significantly reducing both time and cost in early-stage research.
The discussion also covered the growing use of AI in pre-clinical and clinical stages, including simulation-based modelling, improved clinical trial design, and advanced data analytics for better patient stratification. Experts noted that such applications could enhance the efficiency and accuracy of clinical outcomes.
In the regulatory domain, AI-driven decision support systems are emerging as key tools for evidence generation, faster approvals, and improved drug safety monitoring. The webinar stressed the importance of building institutional capacity within government systems to effectively adopt these technologies for evidence-based policymaking and oversight.
Participants were also briefed on advancements such as AI-enabled prediction of protein structures, drug-target interactions, toxicity assessment, and drug repurposing, all of which are contributing to more efficient pharmaceutical innovation.
The Department said the integration of AI across the pharmaceutical value chain is expected to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in the sector, while improving access to safe and effective medicines.
The webinar forms part of Sādhana Saptah 2026, a nationwide capacity-building initiative aimed at promoting citizen-centric governance and enhancing administrative efficiency. Organised from April 2 to April 8, the programme brings together central ministries, states, and training institutions under the broader framework of Mission Karmayogi to build a future-ready civil service.
