Feature Articles
Drug development and medical writing in the digital world
Authors: Yan Zhou
Artificial intelligence and digital health open a new chapter in the pharmaceutical industry. The digital technologies improve work efficiency, lower research and development costs, optimise medical research processes, and increase R&D outputs. The digital revo - lution had a significant impact on almost every aspect of drug development from preclinical to clinical studies with digital end - points and post-market surveillance of safety events, and even for medical education. In the area of medical writing, digital technologies led to the transparency of medical research and close scientific communications in the paperless systems and offered more possi - bilities for scientific collaborations between study sponsors and clinical practitioners. The writing styles and publishing media became more diverse along with the use of mobile health apps. In parallel, new technologies also offer wider career pathways; therefore, writing professionals with multiple skills are needed in the digital world.
Medical Writing. 2019;28(4):18–21

