Contributions of Chemical Engineers in the Healthcare Industry

When we think of a career in the healthcare sector, the first thing that comes to our mind is the roles of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Seldom do we appreciate the contribution of engineers, especially chemical engineers in the field of medical sciences. Were you aware that the development of one of the earliest COVID-19 vaccines involved the utilization of research conducted by chemical engineers? Dr Robert S. Langer, the co-founder of Moderna, played a vital role in the development of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Prior to this, his groundbreaking research on controlled drug delivery served as a foundation for the vaccine's development.

Chemical engineers are responsible for converting raw materials into useful products on a large scale, achieved through experimentation on the laboratory scale followed by testing on a pilot scale and then scaling up for production. They play a crucial role in the healthcare industry by designing and developing processes and technologies for the production, testing, and delivery of medicines, medical devices or implants, and other healthcare products. Here are some examples of the contributions of chemical engineers in the healthcare industry:

1. Medical supplies: Healthcare professionals rely on a range of essential medical supplies to provide optimal care, such as dressings, adhesive tapings, sutures, syringes, tubing, disposable absorbent pads, and storage containers for samples and medicines, among others. These items are commonly made from cotton or polymeric materials that are produced in large quantities by chemical engineers. Among them, Dermot Manning stands out as a notable chemical engineer who played a key role in the development of polythene, taking it from a pilot phase to full-scale production. Moreover, chemical engineers also contribute to the production of pure medical-grade oxygen, a life-saving commodity that is crucial in many healthcare settings.
2. Drug development and delivery: Chemical engineers bring together their understanding of core chemical engineering concepts, such as chemical reactions, chemical kinetics, mass transfer, and polymer materials, to create drug-delivery systems. One of their most significant achievements, which has helped to prolong human life, is the development of antibiotics, also known as 'Wonder drugs'. Interestingly, Margaret Hutchinson Rousseau, the first chemical engineering doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, designed the world's first commercial penicillin manufacturing plant. In 1951, George Rosenkranz began large-scale production of progesterone, one of the components of contraceptive pills. Even today, chemical engineers continue to contribute to drug development by designing processes for synthesizing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are essential elements of medications. They meticulously optimize large-scale production processes to ensure that the final product is pure, safe, and effective.
3. Vaccine development: Chemical engineers are involved in the development of vaccines, from the production of antigens to the formulation and delivery of the final product. They design and optimize the manufacturing process to ensure high yields and purity of the antigen, as well as the stability of the vaccine during storage and transportation. Imagine what would have happened if the crores of vaccine doses were not made available in time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Medical implants: Chemical engineers contribute to the development of medical implants, such as prosthetics, pacemakers, lenses, tooth fillings and artificial organs. They also develop devices for drug delivery, such as inhalers, transdermal patches, and other implants. They design materials that are biocompatible, non-toxic, and durable, and develop manufacturing processes to ensure consistent quality and reliability of the implants.
5. Quality control: Chemical engineers play a critical role in ensuring the quality and safety of healthcare products by designing and implementing quality control measures, such as testing methods and procedures, to ensure that the products meet regulatory standards and are safe for use. They design and implement quality control measures, such as testing methods and procedures, making sure that the products meet regulatory standards and are safe for use.
6. Waste management: Chemical engineers also contribute to the management of healthcare waste, such as the disposal of hazardous materials, biomedical waste and the treatment of medical wastewater. They develop technologies to minimize the environmental impact of healthcare operations, such as the disposal of hazardous materials, biomedical waste, and medical wastewater, and ensure the safety of workers and the public.

Chemical engineers have made and will continue to make significant contributions to the healthcare industry by applying their expertise in process design, materials science, and quality control to ensure the development of safe and effective healthcare products. It is time that the significant contributions of these unsung heroes are recognised and applauded. 

It is worth noting that the rising prevalence of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases has resulted in significant growth within the healthcare industry. In fact, a leading market analysis site reveals that the Indian healthcare market reached a valuation of INR 21.14 trillion in FY 2021 and is predicted to expand to INR 110.21 trillion by FY 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 30.70% during the FY 2022 - FY 2027 forecast period. Moreover, the healthcare industry is expected to have a worldwide annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 11.07%. Consequently, this growth trend creates numerous career opportunities for chemical engineers within this sector. Therefore, students aspiring to pursue engineering courses should carefully consider chemical engineering as an excellent pathway to a prosperous future.

About the author

 

 

 

 Dr Anand D. Kulkarni, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT World Peace University, Pune.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha