K1 – Opportunities and limitations of high-tech evolution

Link to EAHP Statements
Section 1 – Introductory Statements and Governance: Statements – 1.3, 1.7
Section 4 – Clinical Pharmacy: Statements – 4.5
Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statements – 5.5

Abstract
The rapid evolution of technology and information processing has profoundly altered our healthcare systems and the way we can provide cost-effective high quality pharmaceutical care. This shift brings a lot of opportunities such as structured electronic prescriptions, clinical decision support systems, clinical rules, risk-based approach for clinical pharmacy deployment and bedside scanning in strive for a closed loop medication system. Also supply chain management, warehousing, distribution, and traceability are lifted to a higher level. Preparations were never more personalised than with 3D-printed drugs and workforce can be freed by implementing compounding robots. Patients can be monitored from a distance via smart wearables, electronic journals and telepharmacy. Continuous education via webinars and e-learnings or consulting an expert at the other side of the world are common practice, but how far must we go? What is the role of chatbots, social media, deep text analysis, blockchain technology and neural networks? Do we need it all … and at what price?
In this visionary keynote we give you a glimpse of the future, elaborate on opportunities and discuss hurdles and limitations.

Learning objectives
After the session, the participant should be able to:

• To understand technological innovations in pharmaceutical care.
• To assess the opportunities and limitations of emerging technologies on pharmacy practice.
• To analyse the future role of advanced technologies in healthcare.

Educational need addressed
Knowledge update on technological advancements.
Critical appraisal for technology implementation.
Future readiness and strategic vision.

Keywords
High tech, technology, pharmaceutical care, limitations, automation.