Empowering the pharmaceutical workforce for the digital future

Natalie Maclean; Susanna Abrahmsén-Alami; Catriona Clark; Frederik Dörr; Alastair Florence; Jarkko Ketolainen; Morten Lindow; Jérôme  Mantanus; Jukka Rantanen; Gavin  Reynolds; Amy Robertson; Daniel Markl

doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107449

Empowering the pharmaceutical workforce for the digital future

Natalie Maclean, Susanna Abrahmsén-Alami, Catriona Clark, Frederik Dörr, Alastair Florence, Jarkko Ketolainen, Morten Lindow, Jérôme Mantanus, Jukka Rantanen, Gavin Reynolds, Amy Robertson, Daniel Markl^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Strathclyde Institute Of Pharmacy And Biomedical Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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.

Original language	English
Article number	107449
Number of pages	14
Journal	European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume	220
Early online date	21 Jan 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107449
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 21 Jan 2026

Funding

N.M., C.C., A.F. and D.M. would like to thank the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council Centre for Doctoral Training in Medicines Development and Manufacturing (CEDAR) (Grant Ref. EP/Y035593/1) and the Digital Design and Manufacture of Amorphous Pharmaceuticals, DDMAP (Grant Ref: EP/W003295/1), and the Digital Medicines Manufacturing (DM2) Research Centre Co-funded by the Made Smarter Innovation challenge at UK Research and Innovation (Grant Ref: EP/V062077/1) for supporting this work.

Keywords

digital skills
multi-disciplinary
data science
artificial intelligence
pharmaceutical science
chemical engineering

Access to Document

10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107449Licence: CC BY 4.0

Maclean-etal-EJPS-2025-Empowering-the-pharmaceutical-workforce-for-the-digital-futureFinal published version, 1.72 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

1 Finished
2 Active

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber-physical Systems for Medicine Development and Manufacturing (CEDAR)
Florence, A. (Principal Investigator), Cardona Amengual, J. (Co-investigator), Hoskins, C. (Co-investigator), Markl, D. (Co-investigator) & Perrie, Y. (Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/04/24 → 30/09/32
Project: Research - Studentship
International Collaboration for Digital Design and Manufacture of Amorphous Pharmaceuticals
Florence, A. (Principal Investigator), Brown, C. (Co-investigator), Johnston, B. (Co-investigator), Markl, D. (Co-investigator) & Robertson, J. (Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/02/22 → 30/04/26
Project: Research
Made Smarter Innovation: Digital Medicines Manufacturing Research Centre (DM2)
Florence, A. (Principal Investigator), Johnston, B. (Co-investigator), Markl, D. (Co-investigator) & Pierce, G. (Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/09/21 → 31/03/26
Project: Research

Cite this

Maclean, N., Abrahmsén-Alami, S., Clark, C., Dörr, F., Florence, A., Ketolainen, J., Lindow, M., Mantanus, J., Rantanen, J., Reynolds, G., Robertson, A., & Markl, D. (2026). Empowering the pharmaceutical workforce for the digital future. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 220, Article 107449. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107449

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AU - Ketolainen, Jarkko

AU - Lindow, Morten

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Empowering the pharmaceutical workforce for the digital future

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

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Projects

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber-physical Systems for Medicine Development and Manufacturing (CEDAR)

International Collaboration for Digital Design and Manufacture of Amorphous Pharmaceuticals

Made Smarter Innovation: Digital Medicines Manufacturing Research Centre (DM2)

Cite this