As a part of one of the most globalized industries worldwide, pharmaceutical companies ought to consider implementing a localization strategy to successfully tap into new global markets. Life Science Localization is substantially important when you consider that most of the large pharmaceutical companies generate over 50% of their revenues from international markets.

How Life Science Localization helps global pharmaceutical companies?

  1. Clinical Trials: As an important aspect of the work of medical companies, clinical trials require information and documentation that is 100% accurate. By localizing, you can be certain that documents are not only translated accurately but are culturally acceptable for the host market as well. This is especially significant, considering that the information provided as part of clinical trials can help patients to make an informed decision about whether to participate or not. For example, patient questionnaires that are used to determine a person’s eligibility or compatibility must be translated and written in a way that the content completely resonates with the applicant. Additionally, adverse event reports are equally critical; if a potential participant is unaware of the side effects of the trial, particularly because of poor clinical trials translation, then he or she cannot make an informed decision about joining the trial.
  2. Regulatory Submissions: The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. Of course, that is for good reason, considering that patients’ health and well being are at stake. As such, regulators might reject an application or delay approval if translations are inaccurate. While regulatory compliance is necessary to obtain product licenses, it also helps to ensure that your company can reach its target market. With effective regulatory submission localization, it becomes easier to make certain that your product’s regulatory terms are accurately written to reach the necessary agencies for approval. Some of the important documentation associated with regulatory submissions include instructions for use, quality review documents, and patient prescribing documentation. Successful localization of each one of these documents is vital to helping your product cross language barriers and enter new markets.
  3. Medical Devices: With the medical devices industry continuing to reach new heights, medical device manufacturers rely on precise translations as they bring their products to global markets. Whether the device documentation is marketing the product to potential customers or assisting current customers with how to use it, strong localization plays an important role in helping the company achieve its goals. Perhaps three of the most important documents that accompany medical devices are package inserts, instructions for use, and user manuals. Because these documents contain critical information that affects the right use of the device, precise translation, and effective localization are paramount.

Overcoming the Roadblocks to Life Science Localization

From clinical research and regulatory submissions to marketing and packaging, inaccurate translations in the pharmaceutical industry can have significant negative effects; including the safety of the product, the possibility of lawsuits, exceptionally high cost for clinical trials, and rejection by the regulators. Some of the most common challenges that the pharmaceutical companies face while localizing their products are:

  • Translating medical jargon and medication names with precision. Medical terminology can be difficult to translate, especially as new medications and therapies emerge globally. Additionally, a medication that is commonly referred to as one name in the United States might be addressed by another name overseas.
  • Communicating the information to patients in their language with accuracy and sensitivity. Cultural sensitivity should always be a top priority in translation, but that need increases while addressing medical issues. Furthermore, one word can have two vastly different meanings, even though the language is the same, complicating the translation process even more.
  • Managing a large number of specialized medical areas. The life sciences and pharmaceutical fields are robust with specialties, many of which have complex names. To achieve the best translation, it is vital to have subject matter experts in the field be a part of the translation and localization process.

Partnering with a professional life science localization solution provider helps pharmaceutical enterprises overcome these challenges and achieve high-quality localization results globally. Here’s how Alvogen Pharmaceuticals (Lotus), one of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, successfully translated business-critical SOP reports by partnering with Ulatus. Read the case study.

Get in touch with Ulatus today to truly localize your product and reach new customers!