Study goals
The objective of this work is to identify the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of Industry 4.0 projects in the pharmaceutical industry.
Relevance / originality
While it is possible to find other studies on Industry 4.0 in the general industry, there is a scarcity of research addressing the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of Industry 4.0 projects in the pharmaceutical industry.
Methodology / approach
The academic literature was explored to identify the opportunities and challenges in the implementation of Industry 4.0 projects in the manufacturing industry in general. Based on this identification, interviews were conducted with experts from the pharmaceutical industry.
Main results
The research confirmed the alignment of opportunities from the general industry with the pharmaceutical sector. However, the challenges exhibited significant disagreement and low alignment, not matching the expectations.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
This article provides valuable contributions regarding the implementation of Industry 4.0 projects in the pharmaceutical industry, assisting managers and decision-makers in this field.
Social / management contributions
The pharmaceutical industry holds a prominent position in the global economy due to its significant impact on social well-being. Improving access to medicines is a responsibility of pharmaceutical companies, making research in this area highly relevant.