AI in pharma supply chains: From visibility to prediction and action | GPLS 2026

Knowing where a shipment is does not tell you whether it will arrive on time. Seeing an inventory number does not explain why demand has changed. How can pharmaceutical supply chains use AI to predict what could happen and act before a disruption affects delivery?

Business Session 4 at the Global Pharma Logistics Summit 2026 explores this shift from visibility to prediction. Moderated by Girish Bassavaraju, Country Head-India, Cosette Pharmaceuticals, the discussion brings together perspectives from pharmaceutical manufacturing, air cargo, warehousing, distribution and consumer healthcare.

Vipul Jain, Vice President – Supply Chain Strategy and Analytics, Intas Pharmaceuticals, assesses the industry’s progress. “We are good in terms of visibility now,” he says, while describing prediction as less mature and prescription as an area with much further to go. He argues that companies should improve data quality while beginning to use AI. The discussion also moves beyond operational efficiency to product portfolio strategy, workforce planning and change management.

For Vijayant Vikram Malik, Area General Manager, Indian Subcontinent, Etihad Cargo, the test is whether a prediction leads to timely intervention. “The value is created in the action based on the prediction,” he says. Weather may allow hours to respond, while handling and connectivity issues can leave only minutes. He explains how monitoring shipment milestones can help identify a potential failure, alert the relevant stakeholder and support corrective action before the milestone is missed.

This story was originally published by STAT Times. Read the full story at STAT Times →