AI – Treat or Threat for Pharmacists?

On the surface level, RALPh could potentially automate pharmacy medication counselling and ironically perpetuate a common concern that AI is a threat to pharmacists. However, the team feels passionately that this project and AI are tools not to displace, but to empower pharmacists. They envision that the use of RALPh would create breathing space for pharmacists to invest more time in patients with multimorbidities that require complex care and partake in higher value work and projects.

They see an unique opportunity now to integrate existing digitization efforts and are embarking on making their plans come to fruition. They envision automating lower-risk medication counselling services using GenAI and connecting patients conveniently to pharmacy services through the use of mobile phones.

Same, same, but different

While everyone graduated from NUS Pharmacy, each team member charted their unique and distinct path to arrive at their current role and interests in AI and technology.

Wu Yang has had a long interest in IT and was inspired to see how GenAI can be deployed to create meaningful products to improve work processes and the way of life. He is excited about using GenAI to transform pharmacy counselling and improve patient care, ultimately revolutionising the healthcare setting.

Jian Wei, who was initially interested in clinical practice, took a leap of faith to explore a role in drug record maintenance and the pharmacy supply chain. Being surrounded by colleagues passionate about technology and AI allowed him to grow and seize opportunities in this field. He recently completed a specialist diploma in business and big data analytics, and is now exploring the use of machine learning in the detection of look-alike drugs

For Jia Qi, she was inspired by AI’s potential in healthcare through a specialised course for healthcare professionals on the use of AI in clinical practice and research. She also excitedly shares her beliefs in the role of AI in complementing patient care and optimising practices.

Lee Hui and Adison started in clinical pharmacy but have courageously taken a different turn in their career paths to pursue their interests in AI and technology. Lee Hui’s journey was driven by a desire to enhance processes through AI upon her clinical experiences. As an oncology pharmacist previously, she worked on inventory management projects involving high-cost oncology and haematology medications which sparked her interest to improve such processes. This led her to explore tools like Excel, macros, VBA scripting and eventually programming. Currently, she is on an AI traineeship under Technology in Finance Immersion Programme (TFIP) while pursuing a Master’s in Analytics from Georgia Tech. Adison’s initial curiosity about computing stemmed from his undergraduate days through computing modules. Applying what he had learnt then, he developed an informational application on probiotics for his final year project under the guidance of A/P Chew Eng Hui and Dr Kevin Yap. This experience sparked his interest in leveraging technology to create a broader impact beyond direct patient care. Motivated by this interest, he took on a role as a Clinical Informatics Analyst at NHG after a stint as a pharmacist at TTSH, and subsequently pursued a Master’s in Business Analytics at NUS. He now works at NHG as a Data Scientist.

The infographic below summarises the unique paths of each alumni and how they are now brought together by a common interest in AI and technology.