GS1 India Hosts ‘Navigating The Future Of Healthcare’ Conference

GS1 India, a supply chain standards organisation under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, hosted the 'Navigating the Future of Healthcare: From Vision to Reality' conference at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Over 150 participants, including healthcare experts, government officials, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and industry leaders, gathered to discuss strategies for enhancing healthcare delivery through standardised practices.

During his keynote address, S. Swaminathan, CEO of GS1 India, stressed the importance of collaboration among healthcare stakeholders to improve patient outcomes. “It is time for all healthcare providers and supply chain partners to align their efforts towards the well-being of our citizens,” he remarked, underscoring the role of breakthrough innovations such as AI and 2D barcodes in revolutionising healthcare processes, ensuring product authenticity, and enhancing patient safety.

Emphasis on Patient Safety and Technology

Dr. Vinod Kotwal, Member Secretary of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), emphasised the importance of product data in enhancing patient safety. She noted that leveraging technology is crucial in overcoming supply chain challenges in healthcare.

Chandrashekar Ranga, Joint Drugs Controller (India) at CDSCO, highlighted the need for global harmonisation in healthcare. He asserted that simple barcode scans can ensure the unique identification of products, aiding in the detection of falsified medicines and facilitating drug recalls.

Dr. Upasana Arora, MD of Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, emphasised the role of barcodes in ensuring uncompromised patient safety. She advocated for digitisation, citing the rising use of robotics, patient portals, and e-ICUs in modern healthcare.

AI and Digital Health at the Forefront

Several experts delved into the ‘Role of AI in Healthcare,’ focusing on how AI-driven proactive care and predictive interventions are transforming preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment. A panel discussion on 'Enhancing Drug/Medical Device Supply Chain Security through End-to-End Traceability' examined how traceability can mitigate risks, streamline product recalls, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Another session on the 'Role of Standardisation and Interoperability in Drug/Medical Device Registry Design' discussed how registries support healthcare data management, enable interoperability, and improve supply chain transparency, while also aiding in efficient insurance claims and personalised medicine.

Global Harmonization and Supply Chain Standards

Experts from USAID, including Lindabeth Doby, Rachel Smith, and Beth Anne Cusack, presented on the need for global harmonisation in the healthcare landscape. A separate panel highlighted the benefits of interoperable 2D barcodes and GS1 standards in fostering a resilient healthcare supply chain.

Case Studies and Regulatory Challenges

Senthil Rajaratnam, Director at Eli Lilly, conducted a session on the 'Impact of Standards and Case Studies of Successful Implementations.' He discussed regulatory requirements for barcodes on drug packaging and shared insights from successful industry case studies. Geraldine Lissalde Bonnet, Vice President of Healthcare at GS1 Global, explored the evolving pharmaceutical regulations and their impact on industry compliance.

The conference closed with a presentation on ‘Enhancing Patient Care with Medical Devices,’ which showcased how barcodes can help detect and reduce adverse events related to medical devices, further improving patient outcomes.

GS1 India invited healthcare stakeholders to collaborate and drive innovation, with the event serving as a valuable platform for industry leaders to engage with solution providers and explore strategies for advancing healthcare delivery.