On the morning of December 12, at Nguyen Tat Thanh University, the National Scientific Symposium on Pharmacy, themed “Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry in the Digital Age: Technology – Interdisciplinarity – Sustainable Development” took place with great enthusiasm, attracting more than 120 scientists, experts, faculty members, students, and representatives from many major pharmaceutical companies.
The event was organized by the School of Pharmacy at Nguyen Tat Thanh University in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, with support from the following organizations: the Institute of Advanced Technology—Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Binh Duong University, Thu Duc General Hospital, Can Tho University, Hutech University, Tien Giang University…
The conference received more than 100 papers and more than 60 posters from nearly 120 scientists, experts, faculty members, and students from research institutes, businesses, and universities offering pharmacy programs.
Through one plenary session and four breakout sessions, experts and faculty members provided a comprehensive perspective on innovation in the pharmaceutical industry in the context of digital transformation.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Distinguished Professor, Nguyen Van Thanh, Vice President of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, emphasized that the workshop serves as an important forum connecting universities, research institutes, and businesses to share knowledge, update on the latest technologies, and expand cooperation in pharmaceutical education and production.
AI, in silico simulation, nanotechnology, and Big Data have taken center stage
At the event, several notable presentations drew the attention of the scientific community. Delegates particularly emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in scientific research and the training of pharmaceutical professionals.
In particular, at Subcommittee 4 on AI Technology in Education, the presentations—which focused on the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in pharmacy education—offered many practical perspectives. Many reports emphasized the use of AI in learning support, practical simulations, lesson design, and assessment of student competencies, helping students access knowledge in a more intuitive and proactive manner. Some studies focused on assessing students’ digital competencies, research attitudes, and levels of autonomy, thereby proposing solutions to enhance the quality of education in the context of digital transformation. Notably, AI-supported professional internships are considered to yield significant benefits, helping students hone their skills, improve accuracy, and build confidence before entering the real-world workplace.
Experts emphasized not only the application of digital technology but also the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of pharmacy. It is precisely this convergence of technology, biomedical science, chemistry, and data science that has unlocked new value and laid the foundation for integrating sustainable development goals into the industry’s research and training activities.
According to Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Quyen—Director of the Institute of Advanced Technology at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology—the pharmaceutical industry is also part of the digital transformation trend, as technology is gradually being applied to research, education, and even medical diagnosis and treatment. He noted that, at the research stage, digital transformation helps improve the accuracy of predicting molecular interactions, evaluating drug activity, and shortening the development time for new active pharmaceutical ingredients.
In the practice of medical diagnosis and treatment, the development of large databases plays a crucial role, enabling the compilation and analysis of the most effective treatment methods while providing early warnings of potential drug interactions. “It is precisely these applications that will create a comprehensive data platform, helping to optimize treatment regimens, improve the quality of patient care, and promote the modern and sustainable development of the pharmaceutical industry in the digital age,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Trần Ngọc Quyển.
According to experts, digital transformation is only effective when implemented consistently across all sectors, particularly in digital skills training at universities.
According to Prof. Dr. Pham Van Tat, Director of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Binh Duong University, stated that to help students better engage with digital technology, the pharmacy curriculum needs to be updated with relevant courses while also creating an environment where students can practice directly on computers. This is a crucial foundation for applying new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in drug formulation or the design of modern pharmaceutical products.
At the event, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cuu Khoa of the Institute of Applied Materials Science at VAST emphasized that nano-drug systems help increase bioavailability, extend shelf life, and reduce side effects, paving the way for the modernization of Vietnamese herbal medicine and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of traditional medicine.
Regarding digital transformation toward smart hospitals, at the conference, Dr. Vu Tri Thanh, Associate Professor and Specialist II, Vu Tri Thanh, Director of Thu Duc General Hospital, discussed the application of Big Data in medication management, drug interaction monitoring, treatment regimen optimization, and antibiotic resistance alerts, which help improve patient safety and enhance operational efficiency.
Speaking on trends in the dietary supplement market and distribution strategies in the digital age, company representative Mr. Tran Viet Thanh, M.S., emphasized the strong growth of the dietary supplement market and the importance of technology in business strategy: ““AI will be the key to personalized healthcare, helping businesses create products and services tailored to each individual user. Combining livestreaming, video commerce, the KOL/KOC ecosystem, and a standardized pharmacy network will create a sustainable competitive advantage.”
According to him, if businesses effectively leverage digital transformation and optimize distribution, Vietnam could become the region’s hub for the production and distribution of dietary supplements.
The workshop concluded with many highly practical proposals, opening up new avenues for development for the training-research-business ecosystem in the pharmaceutical sector.
The event is regarded as an important bridge that helps foster cross-sector collaboration, keep participants abreast of the latest technological trends, and support businesses in accessing the most recent research findings amid rapid digital transformation.
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