AI revolution in the pharmacy: how artificial intelligence is transforming medication counselling

The digitalisation of the health sector is advancing relentlessly, and it does not stop at the pharmacy door. While AI-supported systems already shape everyday pharmacy work in other countries, Swiss pharmacies are only at the beginning of this development. But that could change quickly.

Where AI already helps today

Interaction checking at a new level Modern inventory management systems already use simple AI algorithms to detect drug interactions. But the new generation goes considerably further: instead of merely matching known interactions, machine learning systems analyse patient data, laboratory values and even genetic markers¹.

Dr Sarah Meier, Head of Digitalisation at the Swiss pharmacists’ association pharmaSuisse, explains: “AI can recognise patterns that escape the human eye. In polymedication among older patients in particular, this is an enormous gain in safety.”

Personalised dosing recommendations An example from practice: a 75-year-old patient with impaired kidney function is prescribed a new antibiotic. Where standard tables were previously used for dose adjustment, AI systems today calculate individual recommendations based on current laboratory values, concomitant medication and patient history².

Concrete applications in everyday pharmacy work

Intelligent stock management: AI systems analyse sales data, weather forecasts and even local events in order to predict the optimal stock level. The Swiss start-up “PharmaPredict” has developed a system that recommends flu medicines a full two weeks before the expected rise in demand³.

Automated documentation: speech recognition combined with AI can document counselling conversations automatically and extract relevant information for the patient record. That saves time and improves traceability.

Symptom checkers for self-medication: chatbots with pharmaceutical expertise can support customers in choosing a product while at the same time recognising critical situations that require medical assessment.

Challenges and limits

Data protection and regulation: Switzerland has strict data protection rules. Every AI application must meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act (FADP). Health data, which enjoys special protection, is particularly sensitive⁴.

The human component remains central: “AI cannot replace the pharmacist, only support them,” emphasises Prof. Dr Kurt Hersberger of the University of Basel. “Empathetic counselling, responding to individual worries — that remains human.”

Cost and implementation: many AI solutions are still expensive and require extensive training. Smaller pharmacies face the challenge of justifying the return on investment.

Outlook: what comes next?

Integration into existing systems: the major inventory management providers are working intensively on AI modules. By 2026, most Swiss pharmacies are likely to have access to basic AI functions⁵.

Networking with physicians and hospitals: in future, AI systems belonging to different health service providers could communicate with one another and thus create a comprehensive picture of patient care.

Preventive medicine: AI could help to identify health risks early and propose preventive measures — a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive pharmacy.

Practical steps for pharmacies

1. Inform yourself about the AI tools available from your inventory management provider
2. Train your team in the fundamentals of AI use
3. Start small with simple applications such as improved interaction checking
4. Evaluate the benefit regularly and document improvements