Challenges and Opportunities in Pharmacy Practice in the Digital ERA

Abstract

The evolution of practice over the years has changed due to the burgeoning of digital technologies, which has led to both challenges and opportunism for pharmacists. The paper elaborates on the roles of pharmacy professionals for digital era and their implications of recent technology application in pharmacy practice including telepharmacy, artificial intelligence (AI), electronic health records (EHR) and digital health formulations. These innovations have grown the practice of pharmacy services, allowing pharmacists to encourage patients in a manner that exceeds the standard dispensing — and since then, those jobs are growing. Nevertheless, such integration into pharmacy practice of digital tools also comes with challenges such as data security, patient privacy, regulatory compliance, and a need for ongoing CPD. The review discusses potential use of digital technologies in medication management, improved patient outcomes and access to pharmacy services, especially in rural areas, where there are pharmacy shortages. The paper also explores how the digital reality also affects workforce development and its implications for pharmacy education. By discussing the opportunities and challenges of digital innovations, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective about how digital innovations are impacting the future of pharmacy practice and insights on how pharmacists can adapt to these changes to improve patient care and health system efficiency.