At the recent Becker’s Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit, leaders from iA, Shields Health Solutions, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and the University of Chicago discussed how technology is transforming pharmacy practice. Moderated by iA CEO Tom Utech, PharmD, the panel explored opportunities, challenges and the future of pharmacy in the age of automation and AI.
A consistent theme throughout the panel was empowering pharmacists to focus on high-value patient care. Jennifer Donovan, PharmD, Vice-President of Clinical Services with Shields Health Solutions, noted that technology extends pharmacists’ impact beyond dispensing: “Pharmacy automation helps health systems serve more patients by streamlining medication fulfillment. It empowers pharmacists to spend more time with patients and providers, while ensuring care remains safe and high-quality at the health system.”
Jordan Haag, PharmD, Associate Chief Pharmacy Officer with Mayo Clinic, highlighted how predictive analytics and care pathway tools help pharmacists anticipate patient needs and optimize medication management.
Staffing and space constraints remain major challenges. Denise Scarpelli, PharmD, Vice-President/Chief Pharmacy Officer from the University of Chicago explained that automation and robotics reduce manual tasks, allowing existing staff to focus on patient-centered services while accommodating growth in pharmacy demand.
Patient experience was another focus. Kris Rusinko, PharmD, Executive Director of Pharmacy Services with Johns Hopkins Care at Home, described how centralizing call centers and implementing robotic fulfillment has improved efficiency while increasing direct pharmacist-patient interaction, improving adherence and care outcomes.
Panelists also stressed the importance of actionable data. Leveraging analytics allows organizations to identify high-risk patients, streamline workflows and make informed decisions. Donovan shared a pilot program using machine learning to prioritize pharmacist attention on high-risk patients, freeing more than 300 hours for critical patient care while maintaining high-quality outcomes.
Finally, building a culture of innovation was emphasized. Leaders advised involving frontline staff, prioritizing solutions that benefit multiple stakeholders and fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged. Haag noted, “Creating a culture of curiosity and psychological safety allows teams to learn and adapt, which is essential in implementing new technology effectively.”
The panel highlighted that while technology is evolving rapidly, its true measure of success lies in enhancing patient care. Thoughtful integration of automation, AI and analytics can improve efficiency while empowering pharmacists to deliver higher-value, patient-focused care.
Learn more about iA’s solutions and how they help pharmacists prepare for the future: https://iarx.com/solutions/.