Understanding Pharmacists' Perception of AI Is Crucial to Pharmacy Profession

Regarding utilization as well as ethical and regulatory considerations, understanding pharmacists’ awareness, concerns, and perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial for understanding its potential impact on the profession, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association.¹

“The emergence of AI and its connection with the health care system has given rise to innovative solutions that promise to transform the delivery of care,” wrote authors of a study published in Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy.² “Community pharmacy, as a vital component of the health care ecosystem, is poised to benefit significantly from the integration of AI technologies.”

To better understand perceptions and awareness of AI, researchers distributed a 19-question survey to pharmacists across the US. | image credit: Kunut / stock.adobe.com

A majority of experts within the pharmacy industry, as well as health care as a whole, support the idea that AI will play a paramount role in the future of medical care.

READ MORE: Q&A: How AI is Reshaping Pharmacy and Personalized Medicine | APhA 2025

According to authors of the current study, AI is already being used significantly in pharmacy practice through the electronic health record, digital health platforms, and social media. Since its implementation, several studies have exhibited AI’s ability to improve medication safety and increase the efficiency of pharmacy operations, inventory management, and personalized treatment plans.¹

However, with this emerging technology still at its beginning phases, AI implementation in pharmacy practice remains a challenge due to a variety of barriers and concerns. In a study published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, researchers identified that a majority of pharmacists were willing and expressed positive attitudes toward implementing AI. However, they identified a significant number of potential barriers, including a lack of information on AI, a lack of training, the high costs, translating medical terminology for AI, and many others.

“Despite reports of successful use of AI in other environments, AI is not well studied within pharmacy practice,” wrote authors of the current study.¹ “The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions and awareness of AI technologies among licensed pharmacists across the United States.”

To better understand perceptions and awareness of AI, researchers distributed a 19-question survey to pharmacists across the US. It was conducted from September 5 to November 22, 2023. Pharmacists included in the analysis were recruited from various professional organizations and public email lists. A total of 1363 pharmacists (57.7% women; 80% White; 31.2% aged 30 to 39 years old) completed the survey.

Regarding familiarity and use of AI, 17% of pharmacists reported that they were not familiar with AI “at all,” while 60.8% said they had never used AI software before. Just 2.5% of respondents used AI multiple times a day in their professional lives, and 2% used it multiple times a day in their personal lives. Overall, more participants never used AI in their professional lives rather than their personal lives.

In relation to pharmacists’ overall confidence and trust in AI, researchers found that responses were staggered. While 38.2% exhibited moderate levels of trust in AI, 25.9% expressed some level of distrust, and 9% showed considerable distrust. Furthermore, over 50% of respondents said they had experiences with incorrect AI information, and at least 30% of them demonstrated uncertainty regarding AI accuracy.

Although a large proportion of pharmacists are aware of AI but for personal use, researchers identified a possible gap in pharmacists’ understanding of AI and its implementation in pharmacy practice. The discrepancies uncovered between professional and personal AI use highlight the need for collaboration among many stakeholders involved, or those who may become involved in the future.

More recently, however, AI has been at the forefront of many discussions within pharmacy. Despite many pharmacists expressing a lack of knowledge and confidence in AI toward the end of 2024, reports from this year have shown AI’s implementation has assisted in pharmacy operations, patient communication, drug discovery, and so much more.⁴

Through collaborative efforts between pharmacists, lawmakers, administrators, and other medical decision-makers, the proper stakeholders have greater odds of more properly implementing AI within pharmacy practice—something that many experts believe is inevitable.

“Understanding pharmacists' current awareness, concerns, and perspectives on AI is crucial for navigating its potential impact on the profession including potential professional utilization, addressing concerns regarding job security, ethical considerations, and regulatory uncertainty,” concluded the authors.¹ “Professional pharmacy organizations need to play a leading role in establishing guidelines for AI use and developing policies and standards that promote responsible engagement with AI.”

READ MORE: Development of AI is Essential to Pharmacy Education

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REFERENCES

1. Gustafson KA, Rowe C, Gavaza P, et al. Pharmacists’ perceptions of artificial intelligence: a national survey. JAPhA. 2024;65(1):102306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2024.102306

2. Sendekie AK, Limenh LW, Abate BB, et al. Artificial intelligence in community pharmacy practice: pharmacists’ perceptions, willingness to utilize, and barriers to implementation. Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2024;16:100542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100542

3. Jarab AS, Al-Qerem W, Alzoubi KH, Obeidat H, Abu Heshmeh S, Mukattash TL, Naser YA, Al-Azayzih A. Artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice: Attitude and willingness of the community pharmacists and the barriers for its implementation. Saudi Pharm J. 2023 Aug;31(8):101700. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101700.

4. Schultz P. The rise of artificial intelligence in pharmacy practice. May 16, 2025. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.merative.com/blog/ai-in-pharmacy