This week on PharmTech, Merck diversified its pipeline, USP emphasizes supply chain security, AI systems are examined, and speakers preview their presentations at CPHI Milan and AAPS PharmSci 360.

Ronald Piervincenzi, USP, explains why drug supply resilience needs a system approach, from procurement benchmarks to regulatory capacity building.

Ronald Piervincenzi, USP, urges drugmakers and purchasers to act on supply chain resilience to curb drug shortages and shape better policy.

Content on PharmTech.com this week ranged from fundamentals on the use of digital pathology in drug development, discussions on the use of AI in pharma, and regulatory actions impacting the industry.

Ronald Piervincenzi, USP, explains why manufacturers should act now and how benchmarking could reward reliable generic drug suppliers.

Capsugel's Bram Baert and Sandrine Picco argue that chasing zero nitrite in pharmaceutical excipients is often impractical and costly. They recommend setting scientifically justified, risk-based limits and consistently staying below them.

Ron Scarboro, Azurity Pharmaceuticals, claims drug reformulation that removes patient barriers must preserve efficacy, urging early cross-functional team alignment.

The FDA opened an expedited IND pilot, tightened scrutiny of foreign trial data, and finalized a rule recognizing non-animal testing methods. In Europe, the EMA advanced pharmaceutical legislation reform, restricted 2 legacy products, and opened an injectable-iron safety review.