Pharmacy Tech Student

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The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy Practice – PTSA

This article explores the improvements that are being made in pharmacy using AI intelligence.  AI can help by automating repetitive duties such as inventory management, picking prescriptions, packaging prescriptions, virtual assistants and chatbots that provide answers to patient inquiries, medication reminders and health advice.  The pros to these patient centered AI tools allows the patients to use them at any time and allows the patient to get this information without calling the pharmacy or visiting their health care practitioner when they have access to these tools.  Another pro is how the use of AI automation streamlines processes which can be an effective tool for a busy pharmacy by increasing productivity.  AI can even predict medication demands and ordering sufficient supplies and stay on top of medications that are out of date, these tools will increase productivity and reduce costs over time when maintained and used to the pharmacies advantage. 

Although this seems too good to be true, there are always going to be some drawbacks with such amazing intelligent processes.  One could mean that the costs and training staff to operate the machines.  Robots need humans to program them, fill them with the medications, and if they break down, then someone has to be able to do the job and know what they are doing.  So I do not think that these machines will take over when it comes to the filling processes.  Also, with all technologies, there could be an issue with cyber attacks, and patient confidentiality being breached, along with oversights when the human is filling the machines.  There will always be the need for a final check of a medication, we can not completely rely on machines and AI to do this particular job entirely.  We also have to consider our regulatory roles and responsibilities, so a patient can not receive a medication that has not been checked for safety and ensuring that they are receiving the right medication for their ailment.

Finally, I would like to add that AI and technology is an amazing tool that we can use to hone in on the streamlining of our role to produce a quick, accurate and reliable way to allow us to be utilized in more meaningful ways.  By freeing up our time to do other tasks we will ensure that the patients we serve are getting the best possible care that they deserve. (PTSA, 2023)

Reference:

Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta. (July 27, 2023). The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy Practice. 2025 PRSA. Retrieved from. The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy Practice – PTSA