AI, Advocacy, and New Therapies Bring Pharmacy Beyond the Counter

Pharmacy is entering a period of rapid transformation, driven by new technologies, evolving practice models, and expanding opportunities beyond traditional roles. In this issue of Pharmacy Careers, thought leaders and innovators share how the profession is adapting to meet changing health care needs. These perspectives illustrate the breadth of pharmacy’s future and the skills needed to thrive in an evolving landscape.

In the Cover Feature, Steven Smoke, PharmD, explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping health care and what this transformation means for the pharmacy profession. AI has already demonstrated many capabilities, from predicting patient outcomes using electronic health record data to interpreting medical imaging, and pharmacy’s future in the AI era lies in leveraging this technology to expand pharmacist expertise, bridge critical gaps, and improve patient outcomes.

In an Influencer feature, Emily Griffin, BPharm (hons), GradCertPharmPracInt, MClinPharm, MPS-AACPA, discusses how she uses her Instagram platform, The Encapsuled Pharmacist, to foster community, support colleagues facing workplace challenges, and advocate for evidence-based practice. She emphasizes the importance of communication, adaptability, and professional integrity in clinical practice and online, noting that pharmacists must embrace soft skills alongside technical expertise to thrive in an evolving health care landscape. She also explains how she addresses gaps in accessibility, professional development, and misinformation through her consultancy, Encapsuled.

In a Viewpoints article, Juliett Bartecki describes the fast-growing field of psychedelic medicine. To embrace the change, pharmacists must first understand the truth behind common myths. Bartecki explains that evidence shows that when used carefully by health care professionals, these substances can help treat patients with mental health conditions, such as severe depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. For pharmacy students, preemptively learning about psychedelics can ensure they are ready to guide patients safely into this new era of medicine.

The future of pharmacy will be defined by innovation, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new frontiers and changes in patient care. Whether through the integration of AI, the expansion of pharmacists’ voices on digital platforms, or the careful exploration of emerging therapies such as psychedelic medicine, pharmacy continues to evolve in ways that extend its reach and impact. By cultivating both technical expertise and essential soft skills, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to lead in this era of transformation by bridging gaps, supporting communities, and shaping a more responsive and forward-looking health care system.