Robotic Process Automation or Automation of Decision Making Models Based on Bots: Perspectives and Concerns on the Example of Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Abstract

Robotic Process Automation (RPA), i.e., process automation technology based on bots is an attractive proposal for organisations interested in speeding up routine economic processes and improving their quality through algorithmization. Prior to RPA implementation, these processes were usually time- consuming and human resource intensive. RPA frees the human potential and resources to perform more creative tasks while repetitive and mundane operations are shortened, and the quality of data and decisions based on them is improved by eliminating human errors.
Bots are robots installed on physical or virtual computers capable of mimicking actions previously performed by a human user.
The paper aims primarily to explain where bots are applied in science and business. It provides a case study that exemplifies the deployment of bots to detect fake drugs entered into a legal supply chain as a specific proof of concept.
This last component, i.e., monitoring of the supply chain of medicines through the European Medi- cines Verification System (EMVS) is the focus of author's research and the core area of his professional expertise. Initially, working with the System took place without the engagement of robots, however, it quickly turned out that the volume of data precludes conducting analyses using human effort only. In addition, analyses and drawing conclusions took too much time to consider them having any pre- ventive effect. The author proposes a hypothesis according to which the engagement of IT robots will allow to eliminate the above ramifications.