By Darren Powell, Chair of the RPS Digital Pharmacy Expert Advisory Group

The pharmacy profession has undergone incredible transformations over the years. As a community pharmacist who's seen everything from handwritten labels and the early introduction of electronic labelling systems during my pre-registration training, to today’s Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) and electronic clinical systems, I never thought I'd be writing about the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmacy so soon. Yet here we are, with the emergence of AI bringing new challenges and opportunities.

As a member of the RPS Digital Pharmacy Expert Advisory Group, I've had the privilege, along with other colleagues, of helping to shape the RPS policy on AI in pharmacy. Spoiler alert: it's not all robot pharmacists and virtual consultations.

Why we need an AI policy

The pharmacy world is changing faster than a patient can say "I just need my prescription." AI is already here - from smart PMR systems that aim to automate the clinical focus of the pharmacist to inventory management tools that predict stock needs, to systems optimising the end-to-end workflows in dispensaries. But with this great power comes great responsibility (and a lot of regulatory considerations).

Key considerations in our AI policy

Central to the RPS’s policy are key considerations like patient safety, workforce impact, and ethical standards. For example, how do we ensure AI-powered tools enhance, rather than compromise the quality of care? How do we uphold patient confidentiality when AI systems handle sensitive data? And how do we support pharmacy teams to work alongside AI, ensuring they feel empowered, not replaced, by its capabilities?

Real-World Implementation

The use of AI in pharmacy is already transforming how we work. Tasks like prescription accuracy checking, clinical decision support and appointment scheduling are increasingly supported by AI.

In dispensaries, AI is supporting stock management, allowing pharmacists to spend less time on repetitive processes and more on direct patient care.  AI can also analyse patient data and detect patterns.

This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about offering a higher standard of patient care and helping healthcare professionals and patients make more informed decisions.

A future with AI

The future of pharmacy isn't about replacing pharmacy teams with robots - it's about empowering the workforce to provide better patient care through the understanding of and the use of smart technology. This policy aims to highlight the potential to harness AI in the workplace while maintaining our professional standards and ethical principles.

Want to know more? Take a look at the RPS AI policy, where you can explore our detailed recommendations and guidelines. Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how AI is changing your practice via [email protected]. AI is here to stay, and we need to ensure it works for us, our profession, and most importantly, our patients.

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