Our newly published study in Telehealth and Medicine Today examined the current state of digital health adoption among multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in Brazil, comparing the findings with trends and regulatory developments in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
The results reveal a sector that is moving beyond experimentation:
✅ 43% of companies are already scaling digital health initiatives.
✅ Artificial intelligence, patient engagement platforms, and data analytics are the main priorities.
✅ The leading objectives are improving medication adherence, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency.
However, the study also highlights important challenges.
Despite strong enthusiasm for AI, only 38% of companies have dedicated digital health teams, fewer than half provide structured workforce training, and integration with telemedicine and electronic health records remains surprisingly limited. Cybersecurity, interoperability, and organizational readiness continue to be major barriers.
The message is clear: technology alone is not enough.
The organizations most likely to succeed will be those that combine AI with robust governance, interoperable data ecosystems, scientific validation, workforce development, and strategic partnerships capable of generating real-world evidence and measurable value.
Digital transformation in healthcare is no longer primarily a technology challenge—it is increasingly a leadership, governance, and implementation challenge.
I am grateful to my co-author, Dr. Andreas Keck (Syte Institute, Germany), and to all participating companies for contributing to this important snapshot of the pharmaceutical industry’s digital maturity.
We hope these findings stimulate further discussion on how industry, academia, healthcare providers, and regulators can accelerate the responsible adoption of digital health worldwide.
