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The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has published guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmacy practice, which notes that the technology “introduces new professional, clinical, legal and practical considerations”.
In a press release issued on 24 August 2026, the PDA said: “The purpose of the guidance is not to promote or discourage the use of AI, but to support pharmacists in making informed, safe and professionally defensible decisions when AI is involved.”
The guidance covers areas including data, bias and limitations in AI, professional responsibility and oversight, as well as AI and patients. It says that pharmacists should actively identify where AI is used in their workflow and critically evaluate AI outputs before acting on them.
The PDA guidance follows a Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm) policy statement on the use of AI in pharmacy, published in January 2025, which outlined where AI can be used to support practice across the different pharmacy sectors and other sectors such as education and industry.
The College policy says that pharmacists must familiarise themselves with AI to ensure they have a level of awareness which allows them to contribute to the digital advancement of pharmacy practice, adding that the workforce must be provided with the opportunities — and time — to develop necessary AI skills.
The results of an RCPharm survey, carried out between 16 March 2026 and 30 March 2026, revealed that just under two-thirds (63.8%, n=90) of respondents reported having used AI at work. The most common uses of AI that respondents reported included the streamlining of administrative tasks (85.6% n=77), the development of educational material (68.9%, n=62), and using it in professional development or learning tools (62.2%, n=56).
However, the results of the same survey showed that almost three-quarters of respondents (74%, n=104) said that the use of AI in pharmacy practice gave them some cause for concern.
Tase Oputu, president of RCPharm, said: “Pharmacy professionals need a good understanding of how AI is being used in their practice, its benefits, limitations and risks, and when professional judgement needs to take precedence.
“We’re seeing growing interest from pharmacy professionals in understanding how AI could affect their practice and what they need to know to use it safely and effectively.
“We’re also continuing to work with stakeholders through our digital and AI roundtables, looking at how AI is affecting pharmacy practice and what this means for the profession.”
In April 2026, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) published its position statement on the use of AI in pharmacy, which emphasised that pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy owners must continue to meet the GPhC’s standards at all times, including when using AI.
