International Pharmaceutical Federation launches AI toolkit for pharmacists
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has launched a new toolkit aimed at assisting pharmacists across various settings—hospital, industry, and community—in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their daily practices. This initiative addresses the growing interest among pharmacists in adopting AI technologies while providing structured guidance on the complexities involved in its implementation.
The toolkit, developed by the FIP Technology Advisory Group in collaboration with its Working Group on AI, encompasses various aspects of AI adoption, including ethical considerations, implementation strategies, regulatory compliance, and practical applications. It aims to support pharmacists in optimising patient care, stimulating multidisciplinary interactions, and enhancing operational efficiency through the use of AI.
Key challenges identified by the toolkit include variability in clinical guidelines, concerns over data privacy, and the pressures of commercialisation that may affect the implementation of AI solutions in pharmacy practice. Dr Whitley Yi, chair of the AI Working Group, emphasised the importance of this toolkit, stating, “Pharmacists are eager to embrace AI, but many don’t know where to begin. This toolkit bridges that gap by offering a clear implementation guide. Our goal is to make this transformative technology both accessible and actionable.”
The toolkit also aligns with FIP's Development Goal 20 (Digital Health), which aims to foster a digitally competent pharmacy workforce. It offers actionable strategies that include continuous professional development, regulatory advancements, and digital tools designed to facilitate the integration of AI into pharmacy.
One practical feature of the toolkit is an implementation checklist. This resource is intended to help pharmacists initiate discussions and guide the process when pursuing any AI tool or solution. Lars-Åke Söderlund, chair of the FIP Technology Advisory Group, illustrated the impact of the toolkit by stating, “The AI Toolkit empowers pharmacists with cutting-edge tools to enhance patient care, streamline workflows, and embrace the future of pharmacy practice.”
The toolkit highlights the vast potential of AI in improving efficiency within clinical care, disease screening, and surveillance, as well as in optimising health systems management and advancing pharmaceutical research and development. Furthermore, it outlines how AI can complement pharmacists’ capabilities across various tasks, including logistical and pharmaceutical medication management, patient counselling, drug interaction checks, personalised medicine, and more.
FIP emphasised that by leveraging AI, pharmacists can tailor treatments, support clinical decision-making, and enhance global access to pharmaceutical care, marking a significant step forward in the integration of technology in pharmacy practice.