Artificial intelligence is the technology that enables machines to simulate human-like behavior. Two types of AI technologies are gaining traction in digital healthcare.

• Machine learning is the subset of AI that consists of techniques (algorithms) that help computer programs to figure out patterns and learn from them and make assumptions.
• NLP (Natural Language Processing) uses a combination of expert rules and AI techniques to process unstructured data such as clinical notes and transform it into structured data for more accurate searches/discovery and decision support.

Implementation benefits:

1. Medication management:

AI collects and analyzes complex health data and draws meaningful, previously undiscovered insights from it that help to improve,

• Diagnostic and therapeutic decisions
• Reduce the cost and time of medication-related tasks
• Streamline the prior authorization process (for the drugs that require approval)
• Predicts the health risk of medication overdose

2. Monitor medication adherence:

AI technology can be used to monitor patient medication adherence and notify clinicians when intervention may be necessary using NLP and ML techniques at a low cost.

Medication nonadherence is a major cause of death in chronic patients and manually checking patient medication adherence is costly.

3. Automatically scheduling of follow-ups and access therapy progress:

Taking patient follow-up is mandatory to trace the medication’s progress. However, most of the time it never happens due to time constraints and inconvenience.

AI can help with scheduling patient appointments by dynamically sending them text messages for reminder hours before the scheduled appointments. Thus it reduces the patient’s inconvenience to wait for long.

The Internet of Things also called IoTs is a physical network of Internet-enabled devices that facilitates cross-device communication.

In the pharmacy business, IoT can be used in the following areas of the pharma business:

• Industrial mechanics and maintenance: IoT monitoring sensors can catch real-time status information of industrial devices and automatically feed them into a single dashboard.
• Medication tracking and management: Connected devices can easily track the availability and medications in real-time enabling better inventory control at a low cost.
• Logistics and supply chain: The ability to monitor and track medication throughout the supply chain provides better visibility and control over your medication supply and device inventory. It can track things such as how many medicines have reached expiration, and how much more medications are needed.
• Regulatory compliance: Connected devices help to establish the quality of standards by automatically sending information that effectively reduces manual paperwork and eliminates human errors. So that all the pharma processes can be kept well-documented and up-to-date to meet regulatory compliance.
• Improves patient adherence to medications: IoT positively impacts patient adherence to medication through the number of different IoT-enabled solutions. Connected devices with sensors such as smartwatches not only monitor medication adherence but also send reminders to take pills on time.

RPA software is integrated with computer software to eliminate repetitive tasks, perform complex calculations and execute decisions. Dedicated software bots are programmed to work in the background to perform specific tasks such as sending and receiving responses to human queries by processing input information, data entry, and using rules and commands previously written in the program.

RPA is used in different areas of the pharma industry. Some of its implementations areas include:

• Business process management: RPA is a part of business process management in the pharma industry. It optimizes long and tedious business processes by automating either the entire process or a few fragments of it.
• Supply chain and inventory management with RPA: Multiple processes in the supply chain and inventory management can be automated with the use of RPA, such as supply chain demand planning, purchase order management, invoice management and return and refund processing.

Blockchain is the future technology that works as a distributed ledger under a decentralized database providing users with an unprecedented level of data security and integrity.

Here are a few implementations of blockchain technology in the pharma industry:

• Improves supply chain transparency: Blockchain can be used to meet the Drug Supply Chain Security Act to improve transparency in the supply chain and patient safety.
• Patient access to accurate drug information: The patient can scan the code on the drug packet and access accurate product information eliminating the chances of buying duplicate products.

Big data analytics is the computer science concept that defines the accumulation and analysis of data that is huge in quantity. This data can be accessed from the records, which are then analyzed to draw future insights.

The technology has multiple implementations in the pharmaceutical sector:

• Deeper drug insights: To manage drug supply successfully, pharmacies need better insights into the medication supply and delivery. Big data analytics gives accurate and deeper insights into the expiring stocks, diversion risk, and medication shortage so that one can make better decisions for inventory optimization.
• Benchmarking performance: Big data analytics can be used to measure business performance against industry benchmarks against medication usage trends. Better analytics drives smarter purchasing decisions, optimize inventory management and help to overcome supply chain challenges.

The app includes a list that helps to diagnose diseases, treatment methods, symptoms of diseases, answers to the popular frequently asked questions, and so on.

Such apps are beneficial for clinicians, medical professionals, and patients in various ways.

The key features of such an app include:

• Patient and clinician profiling
• Easy search and filtering to find and understand the symptoms of diseases
• Find out which doctors to consult
• Quick answers to clinician’s questions
• Earn and track free CME/CPD and CE credits
• Optimized medical calculator
• Bookmark and history
• Notification and reminder
• Pill refill
• Share information through files and graphics with patients and colleagues

Example: Epocrates, Skyscape, and UpToDate

The app offers detailed information about medicines that help medical experts in in-depth drug analysis.

The key features of the app include:

• Search tool to find the drugs and related info
• Advanced filter
• Camera search
• Voice search
• Learning tools and material
• Huge data on drugs, supplements, and herbal products
• Detailed information about the drug approvals from FDA

Example: I.V Drug handbook and Medscape

To buy some medicines, a patient needs a prescription from a doctor or physician. Medication prescriber apps help patients to deal with prescribed medications with maximum comfort and at the lowest cost.

Key features of the Medication prescriber app:

• Search bar to find the drugs
• Pharmacy medication consultation
• Show Medication pricing and discount
• Edit prescription details
• Pill refilling and medication reminder
• Quick messages to the pharmacy store
• Search for nearby pharmacy store

Example: Healthera and RxSaver

These are the online mobile drug stores that can be individual or a chain of several drug dispensaries. The app acts as an intermediary between the sellers and buyers. Such app offers several useful features for the patients such as:

• Online purchasing of medicine 24/7
• Patient account and configuration setting
• Order tracking
• Monthly medication Refill
• Assessment test for disease diagnosis
• Consult doctors online
• Access to health information
• Money-saving medication deals
• Easy replacement

Example: NetMed and PharmEasy

The app is more focused on the pharmacist and helps them by accurately presenting drug information without any bias. It provides information such as medication solutions, clinical monographs, medicine content, and drug cost.

The app has basic features such as:

• Wide range of clinical charts
• Medical calculators
• Drug updates and daily news
• Interaction checker
• Medication organizer
• Quick search function
• Favorites
• Notification and alerts

Example: Pocket Pharmacist

Prescription refill apps allow patients to request prescription refills and track the status of their requests. Pharmacies can create their own prescription refill apps that integrate with their pharmacy management system for seamless order processing.

The app has basic features such as:

• Prescription history
• Prescription refill
• Prescription status update
• Notifications and alerts
• Pharmacy locator

Example: Walgreens app, CVS Pharmacy app, Rite Aid Pharmacy App, and PillPack App

Patient education apps provide patients with information on different health conditions, treatment options, and lifestyle changes they can make to improve their health.

Pharmacies can create their own patient education apps that focus on medication education, adherence, and safety.

The app has basic features such as:

• Health and wellness information
• Symptom checker
• Appointment reminders
• Medication reminders

Example: WebMD App, Mayo Clinic App, Healthline App, and MedlinePlus App