Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used across healthcare, including in pharmacy practice. AI systems can generate predictions, recommendations, classifications and summaries, and may influence both clinical and operational decision-making.
While AI has the potential to support pharmacy services, it also introduces new professional, clinical, legal and practical considerations. The PDA has therefore developed a new guidance series to help pharmacists understand how AI is being used, recognise its limitations and risks, and apply appropriate professional judgement when using AI-enabled systems.
The guidance is based on a Professional-in-the-Loop (PITL) approach. This means pharmacists must retain active oversight, professional judgement and accountability for decisions that may be influenced by AI.
AI can support decision-making, but it must not replace professional judgement. Professional accountability for decisions remains with the pharmacist.
The PDA’s guidance explores:
- how AI systems work and where they are currently used in healthcare;
- different types of AI and their associated risks;
- regulation, governance, data quality, bias and system limitations;
- professional accountability, oversight and liability considerations;
- practical steps pharmacists can take to reduce risk;
- the use of AI in patient care and pharmacy workflows; and
- future developments that may affect pharmacy practice.
The PDA recognises that views on AI will vary and that technology, regulation and professional practice will continue to evolve. 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.
Maintaining professional accountability
As AI becomes more embedded in pharmacy systems, workflows and patient interactions, pharmacists may increasingly be asked to rely on outputs generated or shaped by technology. The PDA believes it is essential that pharmacists are supported to understand how those systems work, how their outputs should be assessed, and where professional judgement must be applied.
The PDA is highlighting that AI may influence professional decisions, but it cannot take responsibility for them. Pharmacists remain accountable for the decisions they make, including those influenced by AI systems.
Access the PDA guidance series here
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in pharmacy practice
- AI uses in healthcare
- How artificial intelligence (AI) works
- Types of artificial intelligence (AI) systems
- Models of artificial intelligence (AI) use in clinical practice
- Regulation and governance of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Data, bias and limitations in artificial intelligence (AI)
- Professional responsibility & oversight
- Risks of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Product liability and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Practical steps to mitigate risks
- When not to use artificial intelligence (AI)
- AI and patients
- AI, automation and clinical checking in PMR systems
- Future developments in artificial intelligence (AI)
Have your say
The PDA now wants to hear from members about their experiences, views and concerns regarding the use of AI in pharmacy practice. A short member survey has also been launched to help identify where AI is already being used, what support pharmacists need, and what safeguards they believe should be in place to protect patients, professional standards and pharmacist accountability.
Members’ responses will help inform the PDA’s ongoing policy, guidance and engagement work on AI, ensuring that the pharmacist voice is central to discussions about how new technologies are introduced and governed in pharmacy practice.
The survey will close on 20 September 2026.
COMPLETE THE SHORT SURVEY HERE
Read more
- Navigating accountability, technology and inclusion in modern pharmacy
- PDA releases guidance on automated accuracy checking systems
- GPhC’s latest guidance on online prescribing still does not go far enough to protect patients
- PDA welcomes government action on the regulation of artificial intelligence systems used in pharmacy
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.