in occupational news
Follow this topic
bookmark
Record learning outcomes
Pharmacists, technicians and pharmacy managers will need to meet GPhC standards when using artificial intelligence (AI) applications, the regulator has clarified in a new position statement on the use of AI in pharmacy.
“Pharmacy professionals remain personally responsible for their decisions and actions when using AI. AI should not replace clinical decision-making or professional judgment,” the GPhC said. We also publish supporting advice on the use of AI in education and training and revalidation.
However, the GPhC has stated that it has no role in regulating AI tools/products or assessing their clinical safety or technical performance.
To meet its standards, the GPhC expects pharmacists and technicians to:
- Understand what AI tools are used for, their limitations and biases
- Make sure you have the relevant training
- Review output from AI tools for accuracy, bias, or misleading information
- Be transparent about your use of AI tools
- Meet patient confidentiality and data protection requirements
- Explaining to patients how AI is being used in treatment and the associated risks and benefits
- Seek patient consent if necessary
- Raise concerns about AI use, errors, or risks in line with the duty of candor
- Avoid using AI in ways that put patients or the public at risk of harm.
Pharmacy owners and managers are expected to perform due diligence to ensure that AI tools are safe and used for their intended purpose. Clear governance arrangements are needed, including risk assessment, data security, patient confidentiality and information governance, and they need to ensure that the AI tools used are supported by appropriate training.
Additionally, AI tools should be monitored and reviewed as part of daily quality and risk management. The GPhC warns that during inspections, inspectors will look for evidence that registered pharmacy standards are met when using AI tools.
The advice on the use of AI in revalidation sets out what the GPhC considers to be an appropriate use of AI when preparing a revalidation submission. Regulators say it is inappropriate for pharmacists and technicians to use AI to complete revalidation applications or falsify information.
It warns that further action may be taken if there is reason to suspect that the AI has acted inappropriately. This could include requiring the individual to complete a new revalidation record, requiring the next year’s revalidation record to be submitted for review, or potentially having the submission examined for suitability of the procedure to practice.
The advice on the use of AI in pharmacy education and training aims to support both education and training providers and learners to use AI in an ethical, transparent and patient safety-focused manner, while maintaining academic integrity.
The advice refers to a joint statement from the health and care professions’ statutory regulators on the use of AI in education and training, which includes a set of guidance for education providers to consider when designing and implementing their programmes.
