Both the biotechnology and pharmaceutical markets are currently experiencing substantial growth, which was significantly accelerated by the pandemic.
According to statistics from Data Bridge Market Research, the value of the biotechnology market is expected to grow from £739.52 billion in 2022 to an astonishing £7,337.04 billion by 2030.
This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29% during this period.
The forecasts for the pharmaceutical market are quite similar. According to experts, the current state of this domain accounts for £1.07 trillion and is expected to continue to expand in the upcoming years.
This accelerated economic growth, however, boils down to the rapidly evolving research and developments in these spheres. Thus, companies that want to maximize their revenue and expand to new markets rely on globalization.
Working with international specialists and offering products and services worldwide is the best strategy to maintain and even stimulate growth in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical markets.
The domain of pharma and biotech translation poses various challenges, such as specialized vocabulary, accuracy and consistency across multiple languages, and an efficient translation process. Thus, professional translation services are required.
This guide explores the importance and challenges of biotech and pharmaceutical translation to help you make the right choice for your company.
Also read : Professional document translation services.
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Pharmaceutical translation
Pharmaceutical translation is a process whereby materials related to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are translated from one language to another.
Pharmaceutical translation is essential for making information accessible to speakers of different languages and, thus, enabling straightforward communication between international researchers or/ and companies and their multilingual clients/ patients.
Types of pharmaceutical materials
Translations are required for various documents and materials, such as:
- Brochures
- Informed Consent forms
- Protocol Documents
- Training Docs
- Case Reports
- Label and packaging text
- Instructions
- Synopses
Also read: Medical Translation Agency: How To Choose The Right One?
Translation requirements
An efficient translation process and high-quality translations are the most important aspects of this type of translation.
Also read: ICF Translation: Importance, Requirements & Best Practices
On one hand, accuracy is required to enable a straightforward information stream and hinder misunderstandings. On the other hand, a fast and efficient translation process ensures speedy communication between all parties involved, regardless of their language.
Such results can only be achieved by professional translators who, besides being language experts, are trained and well-experienced in the pharma and biotech sphere and its technical jargon.
The translation process
The first stage, Preparation (Pre-Translation), begins with the creation and preparation of a glossary, followed by consultation, reference, and research, whereby translators are required to get acquainted with the current state of the research and the existing materials on the topic. This ensures good expertise and high-quality translations.
The first stage ends with the so-called conceptual debrief, which aims to clarify any guidelines, conventions, and preferences that the client might have.
The second stage is translation. The materials are translated into the target language(s) following the already established guidelines and requirements in stage one.
The third and final stage is called verification, or post-translation and includes review and reconciliation, proofreading, and review for legal compliance with local laws.
All in all, pharmaceutical and biotechnology translation requires the right expertise and technology. Therefore, finding the right partner for your project is crucial.
Also read: Role Of Healthcare Translation In The Healthcare Industry
Importance and benefits
It’s important to mention that pharma and biotech translation can bring about many benefits to society. Therefore, it is fair to claim that translation is the right tool for pharma and biotech companies to not only increase their revenues but to also contribute to our society.
Import & Export Medications Worldwide
The translation is crucial when it comes to importing and exporting pharmaceutical products since the producers are required to present any relevant information about their products in the local language.
This includes not only the label and packaging. To meet the requirements of each locale, documents, such as clinical trial information, summaries of product characteristics, etc. should be available in the local language.
Needless to say, accurate and precise translations can accelerate the process considerably, so it’s always advisable to work with a reliable language service provider.
Global access to life-saving treatments
Pharmaceutical researchers around the world are working tirelessly to find new ways to treat life-threatening diseases. Of course, having better access to information and foreign research can be immensely beneficial to researchers when working on a new drug, for instance.
Unfortunately, not all discoveries are published in multiple languages, which in turn can slow down the development process due to a lack of information.
As you can see, pharma translation can be the bridge between the international research community. In this way, information about breakthroughs around the world can be easily accessible to everyone, aiding in more inventions.
Also read: Scientific Translation: 4 Major Reasons To Translate Your Research
More Efficient Communication Between Patients and Experts
Pharmaceutical translation is an essential tool for allowing patients and experts to communicate more efficiently.
Translation services can help ordinary people understand better how to use a certain drug, for example. Providing instructions and any relevant information in the local language of the patients can ensure that they are well aware of how to properly use it.
Indeed, providing sufficient information about the product’s use can reduce the risk of misunderstandings or even medicine misuse.
On a more positive note, information in the local language would ensure better comprehension. Thus, the patients are more likely to follow the right prescriptions and, as a result, experience an improvement in their health condition.
Also read: Top 10 Translation Companies In India
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Challenges in translating technical and scientific content
Pharma and biotech translation is notorious as one of the most challenging types of translation. The key to overcoming them is awareness.
Being well-prepared for some of the biggest challenges in translation can allow you to come up with the right solutions ahead of time.
Medical terminology
Medical jargon can be quite confusing for somebody who is not a professional medical translator. Terms with Greek and Latin origin, eponyms, acronyms and abbreviations appear to be puzzling at first glance.
A good, well-experienced and trained translator, however, should be able to translate them properly.
Of course, there are often cases when a term does not have an equivalent in the target language. In such cases, professional translators are trained to look for solutions, such as inventing a new term or including additional explanations.
Audience
Pharmaceutical materials can have various audiences, from ordinary people to researchers. A good translator should be able to adapt the language to the needs of the target audience.
For example, when translating a brochure for the general public, the translator should include additional explanations, if needed, and use vocabulary that is comprehensible for the audience.
On the other hand, when translating a case report, the translator should adhere to the medical terminology, layout, and any additional (legal) requirements for official medical documents.
Also read: Medical Document Translation: 5 Simple Ways For Quality Assurance
Drug names
Translating drug names can be quite challenging.
Translators should be well-acquainted with the requirements of the World Health Organization while also having a good comprehension of pharmaceuticals to translate them.
In addition, translators should stay up-to-date with any new medications on the market and their corresponding names. In this way, they can ensure that there are no duplicates.
Regulatory compliance and patient safety
Regulatory compliance ensures that one follows the regulations set out by the local regulatory agencies. These regulations ensure patient safety and thus, should be obeyed.
These regulations might vary considerably from country to country. A reliable LSP should work with experts who know all the details of the local regulations of your target locale.
Also read: Legal Translation: Importance, Challenges & Best Practices
Best practices for pharmaceutical translation
Pharmaceutical translation is a lengthy process. Indeed, there are quite a few things one needs to consider – from personal preferences to legal requirements – before starting work on the project.
To make sure that everything goes according to plan, here are some best practices you should follow when dealing with pharmaceutical translations.
Identify your target audience
Let’s start with deciding on your target audience. First, you need to choose a language, depending on the location or even the legal requirements of the target locale.
Then you need to consider the register and style. If you want to translate a brochure, then you might as well opt for a simple, straightforward, semiformal style.
More official documents or reports, on the other hand, might have to adhere to certain requirements about the layout and style.
Overall, identifying your target audience can help you make decisions later on. Knowing your audience well means that you have a clear idea of how to ensure client satisfaction.
Gather materials
You can make the translation process much easier and more efficient by simply gathering old materials you might have.
This includes any old translations or even similar or related texts, which in turn can be used for the creation of glossaries, style guides, terminology data banks, and translation memories.
In domains such as pharma and biotech translation, there are numerous terms and regulations. It takes a long time to research and find the needed information to fulfil the project.
That’s why making use of any available materials can save you time and money.
Also read: Translation Memory: Everything You Need To Know
Create a plan
As we have already discussed, the translation process of pharmaceutical materials is rather complex and can be quite lengthy.
Creating a plan and outlining deadlines for each step of the process can ensure that you have a clear idea of how long the project will last.
What’s more, setting some time aside in case any delays occur is always advisable.
Find the right language service provider
Don’t make the mistake of assigning the pharmaceutical translation project to a bilingual colleague or an unreliable language service provider.
In the medical field, mistakes can be not only costly but can even have fatal consequences.
Thus, find a reliable partner. Here are some things you have to consider:
- Your LSP works with professional native translators who are trained to work with pharmaceutical materials.
- Your LSP offers a wide range of languages – always think about any possible expansion to new locales.
- Your LSP works with various types of software, such as CAT tools, terminology data banks, glossaries, etc. which aid the translation process.
- Your LSP is open to discussing your project and helping you find the best solutions for your needs.
- Your LSP is taking measures to secure any confidential data.
Of course, depending on your project, you might need to add other criteria, but these 5 points cover the most important aspects when looking for a reliable LSP.
Also read: Top 10 Translation Companies In The UK
Conclusion
Pharmaceutical translation is a complex, challenging process that, when working with the right language service provider, can be greatly beneficial to reaching new markets, increasing the connectivity between international researchers, and improving the communication with and access of patients to new medications and information about them.
In addition to accurate translations, effective management of digital assets is crucial in the pharmaceutical industry. A specialized Digital Asset Management system can streamline this process.
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