Case Study

Prescribing data clarity: How a global pharma company accelerated time-to-market by improving product data

The short version

Challenge:

A $20B global pharma company struggled with fragmented product data across 50+ countries, causing compliance risks and a 6-month delay in product launches.

Solution:

DataCatalyst implemented a comprehensive PIM solution with a centralized product data repository and global syndication capabilities using our Accelerate methodology.

Results:

Significantly faster time-to-market, improved regulatory compliance, and substantial reduction in manual effort for regulatory submissions across their 10,000+ SKU portfolio.

The challenge: Fragmented data hindering global pharma operations

A $20B global pharmaceutical company with operations spanning more than 50 countries was struggling to efficiently manage its diverse portfolio of prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and medical devices.

With thousands of SKUs subject to complex regulatory requirements across multiple markets, the company’s fragmented product data management was creating significant operational inefficiencies and compliance risks.

The need: Streamlined product data management to reduce costs and risks

The pharmaceutical company identified several critical needs around their product data management:

  • Elimination of fragmented product data across their global operations
  • Reduction of manual effort spent updating product listings (over 40 hours per week)
  • Mitigation of compliance risks (FDA, EMA) from delayed drug label updates
  • Acceleration of new product launches, which were experiencing a 6-month lag due to disjointed data workflows

Prior attempts to address these issues through manual processes, siloed departmental solutions, and existing systems had failed to create the integration necessary for managing the complexity of pharmaceutical product data. Recognizing the need for specialized expertise, they turned to DataCatalyst for a comprehensive solution.

The approach: Lean expert team driving business-focused requirements

DataCatalyst deployed a lean team of data management experts who collaborated with 45 stakeholders across multiple departments, including Product Management, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, and Supply Chain. This collaborative approach, central to our Accelerate methodology, ensured we thoroughly understood the complex data landscape and all business requirements.

Our team identified the core systems (ERPs, Regulatory Databases, external Digital Asset Management systems) containing critical product information and helped the client develop a structured approach focused on creating a single source of truth for product information. This business-driven approach ensured the solution would support both regulatory compliance and efficient operations.

The solution: Comprehensive PIM implementation for 10,000+ SKUs

DataCatalyst developed a comprehensive Product Information Management (PIM) implementation solution that included:

  • Centralized product data repository covering:

    • Core Product Data: Drug names, dosages, active ingredients
    • Regulatory Data: FDA/EMA approvals, safety warnings, prescribing information
    • Marketing Data: Product images, videos, and patient education materials

  • Structured product/variant taxonomy organized by product type:

    • Prescription Drugs: Dosage forms (tablet, capsule, injection), strengths
    • OTC Medications: Flavors, pack sizes
    • Medical Devices: Configurations, compatibility details

  • Global syndication capabilities:

    • Distribution of product data to 50+ country-specific regulatory portals
    • Localized content management (translations, regional labeling requirements)

The transformation: From siloed processes to integrated data management

Implementing the PIM solution required significant organizational changes, which DataCatalyst helped manage through our proven Accelerate methodology:

  • Transition from siloed departmental data management to a shared, centralized approach
  • Training stakeholders across departments on new systems and workflows
  • Standardization of product data definitions across global operations
  • Implementation of validation and approval workflows to ensure data quality
  • Transformation of established work patterns for product data updates and distribution

These changes were particularly challenging in a regulated pharmaceutical environment where data accuracy has direct compliance implications, but our experienced team guided the client through this transformation efficiently.

The results: Faster time-to-market with improved compliance

The implementation of the PIM solution delivered significant and measurable results for the client:

  • Significantly faster time-to-market for new products, eliminating the previous 6-month lag
  • Improved compliance with FDA and EMA labeling requirements, reducing regulatory risk
  • Substantial reduction in manual effort for regulatory submissions, freeing up resources
  • More consistent product information across global markets
  • Streamlined product data workflows across departments

The future: Foundation for data-driven growth

The pharmaceutical company has transformed from having fragmented, reactive product data management to a cohesive, proactive approach. This transformation has established a foundation for future growth and innovation:

  • The business is now better equipped to handle new regulatory requirements with a flexible data foundation
  • The organization can scale more efficiently, adding new products and entering new markets with less operational friction
  • Teams previously engaged in manual data activities can now focus on higher-value tasks
  • The established data foundation supports future data-driven initiatives and potential data monetization opportunities

By partnering with DataCatalyst’s lean team of experts and leveraging our Accelerate methodology, the client achieved rapid time-to-value while laying the groundwork for long-term data excellence in a complex, regulated industry.