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Indian pharma turns towards equipment with hygienic design, certified materials as global regulators tighten scrutiny
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
September 08 , 2026
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As global regulators like US FDA and EMA mandate tighter control over process parameters, traceability, and documentation to meet global standards such as FDA, 3-A, EHEDG, and material safety norms, Indian pharma is now adopting validated, audit-ready instrumentation.
Consequently, pharma companies prefer equipment with hygienic design, certified materials and proven long-term accuracy, said Gaurav Bawa, senior vice president, WIKA India.
Even as India’s revised Schedule M demands high-accuracy, hygienic and validated measurement instruments, leading pharma manufacturers are now upgrading to more reliable temperature and flow measurement systems to ensure the expected level of sterility, consistency and traceability across all processes. This shift is especially evident in areas such as fermentation, filtration, utilities, and CIP/SIP, where precise monitoring directly influences product quality, he added.
Several key trends are reshaping the industry. These are digitalization & smart sensors for real-time monitoring, wireless connectivity and cloud integration for continuous data collection and improved traceability.
There is a huge interest for non-contact measurement. These are instruments operating without physical contact minimize contamination risks, maintain sterility in critical environments, and reduce mechanical wear. Even smaller, compact sensors offer high precision in advanced drug manufacturing and help achieve tighter control over sensitive process parameters. High-precision measurement supports micro-batch and specialized therapies by reducing variability and strengthening compliance with stringent quality standards. Collectively, these trends reflect the pharma industry’s shift toward greater automation, operational flexibility, and data-driven decision-making, Bawa told Pharmabiz.
The micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up a large portion of India’s pharmaceutical landscape. While many of them aspire to upgrade, challenges such as budget limitations, low levels of automation and limited technical expertise slow the adoption of advanced instruments. Here WIKA addresses these challenges by offering cost-efficient, scalable solutions, strong local service support and NABL-certified calibration facilities, helping MSMEs achieve compliance without disproportionate investment, he said.
Looking ahead, measurement technologies in the pharmaceutical sector will continue evolving rapidly to support higher expectations for sterility, accuracy, and operational efficiency. Key advancements are likely to include IIoT (Industry Internet of Things) enabled sensors which will analyze real-time process data, detect early signs of drift or failure, and automatically schedule maintenance. This will help prevent unplanned downtime and maintain consistent product quality, he said.
Now as sustainability becomes integral to pharma operations, instrumentation will be engineered to reduce power consumption, minimize heat generation and lower water or steam usage during CIP/SIP cycles. Advances in sensor materials and microelectronics will deliver probes with quicker responses to temperature and pressure changes, enabling tighter control, particularly important for micro-batch and continuous manufacturing, he said.
A move toward circular manufacturing will drive the use of recyclable metals, low-impact polymers, and environmentally responsible coatings, supporting greener production environments. Together these innovations will enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime, improve product consistency and align the pharmaceutical industry with global sustainability goals, said Bawa.
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