[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":367},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-short-story-future-pharma":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":179,"relatedBooks":366},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":32,"project_category":44,"contact_email_category":45,"yst_prominent_words":46,"class_list":56,"better_featured_image":75,"acf":114,"yoast_meta":123,"_links":126},17254,"2018-02-20T11:49:13","2018-02-20T09:49:13",{"rendered":9},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=17254","2022-05-19T12:27:48","2022-05-19T10:27:48","short-story-future-pharma","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fshort-story-future-pharma",{"rendered":17},"A Short Story About the Future of Pharma",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2018. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, organs-on-chips, and bioprinting open new horizons for pharma. Let’s peek into the future of drug production with a short story of Brian Mahony and read about what we need to reach such a future in The Medical Futurist’s latest e-book entitled \u003Cem>Technologies Shaping the Future of Pharma.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Get the e-book \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fthefutureofpharma\u002F\">here\u003C\u002Fa> to read about the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of drug design, manufacturing and distribution!\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002FGet the e-book here to read about the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of drug design, manufacturing and distribution!\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"341\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi-341x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17265\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi-341x512.jpg 341w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi-167x250.jpg 167w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The curious case of Brian Mahony\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Brian’s phone quickly blinked. \u003Cem>A message from the heart. Literally, from your heart\u003C\u002Fem>, the beginning of the short text read. The nano-swimmer sensor circulating in his blood vessels encountered something strange which might need to be examined, so it sent a notification to his smart devices. One of them already decided to schedule a visit with his GP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It was a frosty January afternoon in 2035, the sun gleamed on the icy blocks in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Brian was nervous about the visit and tried to divert his attention by walking around under the pines in the freezing cold. He suspected that his old condition is back, and he didn’t want to have that torture called therapy again. Yet, his phone reminded him constantly and rigorously, he’s got an appointment to attend to. When he entered the GP’s office, there was no line, he did not have to wait a minute and the assistant smiled at him nicely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But when Brian looked at his doctor, he knew there is no good news here. He was right: his endocarditis came back. To confirm the diagnosis, the GP looked at Brian’s chest patch that recorded ECG data, punctured his finger to get a one-drop blood test and did a quick chest X-ray. Unfortunately, the results showed endocarditis and the disease agent was some particularly aggressive and rare bacteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Personalized drug design instead of one-fits-for-all solution\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Brian’s GP couldn’t prescribe the appropriate antibiotics at once. At first, he diligently studied the patient’s genetic background; how his body metabolizes certain drugs and whether there is a risk of any possible allergic reaction. Back in the 2010s, this practice was named \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC2014592\u002F\">pharmacogenomics\u003C\u002Fa>. As a consequence, physicians could improve health outcomes, reduce the risk of side effects and patients could also save a significant amount of money by avoiding ineffective medications. So, it turned out that Brian’s bacteria had resistance to certain types of antibiotics which would have been efficient in his treatment. Those had to be excluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now, his doctor turned to artificial intelligence for some more help. A smart algorithm that would root out a specialized therapy for Brian based on his antibiotic resistance and the rare bacteria. They only had to wait a couple of hours for the results. Unlike back in the 2010s, when the design of a new drug could typically take months or years, not to speak about the clinical trials!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fpharmacogenomics.jpg\" alt=\"future of pharma\" class=\"wp-image-17255\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fpharmacogenomics.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fpharmacogenomics-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fpharmacogenomics-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fpharmacogenomics-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fpharmacogenomics-445x250.jpg 445w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Organs-on-chips instead of large-scale clinical trials\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When the smart algorithm on a supercomputer found a potential molecule combination to help cure Brian’s disease, it turned out the drug solution was a redesign of existing drugs, and there was no need for further tests similar to a clinical trial before printing out the medication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Traditional clinical trials were anyway replaced in the 2020s by a technology called \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwyss.harvard.edu\u002Fviewpage\u002F461\u002F\">organs-on-chips\u003C\u002Fa>, in silico trials and bioprinting. Neither animals nor humans were tested anymore on experimental drugs, the costs have fallen, and the time significantly shortened for the development of new drugs. Many experts already believed in the 2010s that these technologies, including organs-on-chips, could \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.meddeviceonline.com\u002Fdoc\u002Fhuman-organ-mimicking-chip-could-revolutionize-clinical-trials-0001\">revolutionize clinical trials\u003C\u002Fa> and replace animal testing completely. These tiny “chip-like” devices are engineered to mimic how the lung or the heart works at the cellular level. They are translucent, and so can provide a window into the inner workings of an organ. They mimic whole–body physiology better, and thus better assess responses to new drug candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"492\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Forgans-on-chips.jpg\" alt=\"future of pharma\" class=\"wp-image-17256\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Forgans-on-chips.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Forgans-on-chips-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Forgans-on-chips-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Forgans-on-chips-512x290.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Forgans-on-chips-442x250.jpg 442w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3D printing drugs in the pharmacy\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In Brian’s case, when the A.I. algorithm finally designed the appropriate medication and his doctors agreed on the right dosage, he could go to the hospital pharmacy to let the pharmacist print out his personalized pills. It was a common practice, but it took many years to get people used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>3D printing was applied in healthcare first in the 2010s. The technology was revolutionary back then. Today, it’s common practice. The machine prints out the powdered drug layer by layer to make it dissolve faster than average pills. Moreover, you can ask your pharmacist to 3D print drugs in odd shapes; such as dinosaurs or octopuses in order to make it easier for kids to take pills. Now, Brian could have also asked the pharmacist to print out Batman or a small Porsche, but the doctors agreed that the tiny pyramid shape delivers drugs more expediently, so he should swallow his medication in the form of small, Egyptian pyramids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002F3d-printing-drugs.jpg\" alt=\"future of pharma\" class=\"wp-image-17258\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002F3d-printing-drugs.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002F3d-printing-drugs-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002F3d-printing-drugs-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002F3d-printing-drugs-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002F3d-printing-drugs-445x250.jpg 445w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Health counseling meeting points instead of traditional pharmacies\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When Brian went to the hospital pharmacy for the drugs, he directly felt the benefits of automation. While the drug dispenser robot quietly murmured in the background and monotonously selected the medication on demand, he could have a chat with the pharmacist about his illness. She was very kind and gave him invaluable tips how to feel better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Postmodern pharmacies do not solely act as institutions for drug distribution, as with the help of technology they have more time, they gain more importance in filtering patients. They act as health managers helping healthy patients, as well as patients with medical conditions, manage their treatment, they manage medicines for people taking multiple drugs, they provide advice for minor ailments and deliver public health services.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Brian was content with how fast he received the appropriate medication, and how well his doctors could coordinate his needs with the pharmacy and drug producing companies. He called to mind his experiences when he was first diagnosed with endocarditis, exactly 20 years ago. Back then, in the 2010s, the system was completely different. He had a long treatment period, had to wait too much for his medication, his doctors couldn’t find the right drugs for him and he got allergic a lot of times. These made his illness almost unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now, pharmacogenomics, 3D printing, robotics or artificial intelligence all turned healthcare and pharma into systems truly designed for his needs. And he assumed, for the needs of all other patients, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is up to us; what kind of future we create from the means available to us. Trends and technologies show that drug design, manufacturing, and distribution, the role and place of pharmacies or insurance companies will be completely different than today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In order to figure out how to arrive at a positive future, The Medical Futurist’s latest e-book about \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fthefutureofpharma\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Technologies Shaping the Future of Pharma\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> could offer some guidance and a clear picture where we are heading. Read on!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Ca class=\"img\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Fthefutureofpharma\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"870\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17265\"\u002F\u003C\u002Fa srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi.jpg 580w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi-341x512.jpg 341w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi-167x250.jpg 167w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fthe-medical-futurist-cover_1800x2700px_300ppi-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, organs-on-chips, and bioprinting open new horizons for pharma. Let’s peek into the future of drug production with a short story of Brian Mahony and read about what we need to reach such a future in The Medical Futurist’s latest e-book entitled Technologies Shaping the Future of Pharma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,17216,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31],490,[33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43],289,313,356,535,677,678,819,246,820,271,275,[],[],[47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55],1615,1621,1633,1715,1721,1883,2133,4975,1599,[57,14,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74],"post-17254","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-future-of-pharma","tag-innovation","tag-medicine","tag-pharma-2","tag-pharmacies","tag-drugs","tag-personalized-drugs","tag-pharmaceutics","tag-future","tag-pharmacogenomics","tag-health","tag-healthcare",{"id":24,"alt_text":76,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":77,"media_details":78,"post":112,"source_url":113},"Blockchain in Healthcare","image",{"width":79,"height":80,"file":81,"sizes":82,"image_meta":109},870,653,"2018\u002F02\u002Fblockchain-in-pharma.jpg",{"medium":83,"large":89,"thumbnail":94,"medium_large":98,"large_old_512x384":99,"medium_old_333x250":104},{"file":84,"width":85,"height":86,"mime-type":87,"source_url":88},"blockchain-in-pharma-370x208.jpg",370,208,"image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fblockchain-in-pharma-370x208.jpg",{"file":90,"width":91,"height":92,"mime-type":87,"source_url":93},"blockchain-in-pharma-768x576.jpg",768,576,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fblockchain-in-pharma-768x576.jpg",{"file":95,"width":96,"height":96,"mime-type":87,"source_url":97},"blockchain-in-pharma-150x150.jpg",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fblockchain-in-pharma-150x150.jpg",{"file":90,"width":91,"height":92,"mime-type":87,"source_url":93},{"file":100,"width":101,"height":102,"mime-type":87,"source_url":103},"blockchain-in-pharma-512x384.jpg",512,384,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fblockchain-in-pharma-512x384.jpg",{"file":105,"width":106,"height":107,"mime-type":87,"source_url":108},"blockchain-in-pharma-333x250.jpg",333,250,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fblockchain-in-pharma-333x250.jpg",{"aperture":110,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":110,"copyright":27,"focal_length":110,"iso":110,"shutter_speed":110,"title":27,"orientation":110,"keywords":111},"0",[],17208,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2018\u002F02\u002Fblockchain-in-pharma.jpg",{"related_posts":115,"related_posts_footer":119,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20},[116,117,118],13748,17427,21115,[120,121,122],21053,14131,13786,{"yoast_wpseo_title":124,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":125,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"A Short Story About the Future of Pharma - The Medical Futurist","Let’s peek into the future of drug production and read The Medical Futurist’s latest e-book entitled Technologies Shaping the Future of Pharma.",{"self":127,"collection":133,"about":136,"author":139,"replies":142,"version-history":145,"predecessor-version":149,"wp:featuredmedia":153,"wp:attachment":156,"wp:term":159,"curies":175},[128],{"href":129,"targetHints":130},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17254",{"allow":131},[132],"GET",[134],{"href":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[137],{"href":138},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[140],{"embeddable":26,"href":141},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[143],{"embeddable":26,"href":144},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=17254",[146],{"count":147,"href":148},15,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17254\u002Frevisions",[150],{"id":151,"href":152},46173,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F17254\u002Frevisions\u002F46173",[154],{"embeddable":26,"href":155},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F17216",[157],{"href":158},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=17254",[160,163,166,169,172],{"taxonomy":161,"embeddable":26,"href":162},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=17254",{"taxonomy":164,"embeddable":26,"href":165},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=17254",{"taxonomy":167,"embeddable":26,"href":168},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=17254",{"taxonomy":170,"embeddable":26,"href":171},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=17254",{"taxonomy":173,"embeddable":26,"href":174},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=17254",[176],{"name":177,"href":178,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[180],{"id":122,"date":181,"date_gmt":182,"guid":183,"modified":185,"modified_gmt":186,"slug":187,"status":13,"type":14,"link":188,"title":189,"content":191,"excerpt":193,"author":23,"featured_media":195,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":196,"categories":197,"tags":202,"project_category":226,"contact_email_category":231,"yst_prominent_words":232,"class_list":241,"better_featured_image":274,"acf":307,"yoast_meta":321,"_links":324},"2026-02-09T10:29:23","2026-02-09T09:29:23",{"rendered":184},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13786","2026-02-09T10:29:24","2026-02-09T09:29:24","the-bright-future-of-pharmacies","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-bright-future-of-pharmacies",{"rendered":190},"The Future Of Pharmacies In 3 Scenarios",{"rendered":192,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rapid development of medical technology affects every aspect of medicine and healthcare\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. E\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ven the seemingly most remote and ivory-tower-like institution \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">isn’t impervious to digital health disruption. We are, of course, talking about the pharmacy. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although these institutions play a crucial role in the healing process, the impression about pharmacists and their drug stores is often that they offer a type of commercial\u002Fbusiness-like service. The doctor prescribes the appropriate medicine with the appropriate instructions, and the pharmacist provides it in exchange for money. In short, a clear business.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However,\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the medical technological revolution, traditional, clear-cut roles become a thing of the past. Empowered patients have more agency over their health, while new technologies support the democratisation of care; shifting the hierarchical doctor-patient relationship to a partnership level. As patients of the 21st century evolve, so must pharmacies and pharmacists in the age of digital health. They \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have to redefine their place in medicine as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">simple drug dispenser will not be enough in a shared and community-based economy.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-30451 size-full\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1136\" height=\"936\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacist-in-the-Drug-Store.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30451\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacist-in-the-Drug-Store.jpg 1136w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacist-in-the-Drug-Store-768x633.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1136px) 100vw, 1136px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freevector.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indeed, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cblockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>as patients are the most underused resources of healthcare, pharmacists are the most underused resources of medicine. \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite modern society moulding their profession into medical shopkeeping, pharmacists have much more to offer. They undergo a rigorous educational path comparable to that of physicians but are in a better situation to devote more time to patients. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>A \u003C\u002Fb>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjamanetwork.com\u002Fjournals\u002Fjamanetworkopen\u002Ffullarticle\u002F2768247\">\u003Cb>JAMA study\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cb> even showed that patients visit community pharmacies more often than their primary care physicians. Those community pharmacists thus represent valuable access to a healthcare professional with the added bonus of having more face-to-face time to take advantage of.\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The evolution of pharmacies and pharmacists’ role in the digital health era can take several pathways. In this article, we visualise 3 scenarios for this evolution, but the actual one can be a composite of these scenarios sharing similar features while taking a shape of its own. However, the aim is to better depict the possibilities so as to be prepared for what’s next in the practical world of pharma.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Visualising the future of pharmacies\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With pharmacists and drug stores adapting to the digital health era, several aspects of the pharmacy setting will have to change. From adopting new approaches to letting go of older ones, the pharmacy of the future will pack a different look and a different role. Leading authorities in the pharmaceutical industry already recognise this need for change and share the same point of view. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in 2013, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society already emphasised in its \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rpharms.com\u002Fresources\u002Freports\u002Fnow-or-never-shaping-pharmacy-for-the-future\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">report about the future of pharmacy\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the need for pharmacies to refocus their strategy of just supplying medicines towards providing services that attend to patients’ needs. Published in 2019, the “\u003Cem>NHS Long Term Plan\u003C\u002Fem>” for the future \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fthebioagency.com\u002Fnews-and-views\u002Fblog\u002Fthe-pharmacy-of-the-future\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">included the need\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for pharmacists to employ digital technology to improve their services and better interact with patients.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To sum up, the basic concept of the future pharmacist covers the ancient “\u003Cem>mediwitch”\u003C\u002Fem> combined with the 21st-century tech-guru and scientific professional. A mediwitch, who has a special place in a given community, knows their “patients’” histories and provides basic care for their illnesses with appropriate medicine (or in the middle-ages: herbs or infusions). A tech-guru who knows how to decipher data from health trackers and wearables and is able to provide the necessary care based on the data, and of course a real scientific professional who knows the basics as well as the latest developments in pharma and medicine in general.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-30453 size-full\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacy-Robotic-Dispenser.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-30453\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacy-Robotic-Dispenser.jpg 950w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2016\u002F08\u002FPharmacy-Robotic-Dispenser-768x452.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: https:\u002F\u002Fgalusaustralis.com\u002F\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such a mediwitch-tech-guru would come in handy in rural, remote or smaller communities that have significantly less access to pharmacies. This phenomenon has an impact even \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.eurekalert.org\u002Fpub_releases\u002F2016-08\u002Fosu-lop080216.php\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the readmission data of hospitals\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In rural areas, where people cannot find open pharmacies as often as necessary, researchers found that the readmission data was higher than in urban areas. If the ultimate goal is the improvement of the quality of healing, this phenomenon has to be changed as well.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thankfully, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">technology is at our disposal to help. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So let’s see 3 potential, tech-aided scenarios\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that could have a big impact on pharmacies.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Scenario 1: A boost in medical booths with pharmaceutical offerings \u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A rise in the adoption of medical kiosks to provide pharmaceutical services is the least-likely scenario. These refer to booths located in malls or food courts where patients can enter to have a basic health check and talk to a healthcare professional via telecommunication. Despite some promising offerings, such ventures have already proven to be unsuccessful. One such telemedicine kiosk startup, HealthSpot, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2016\u002F01\u002Fhealthspot-fail-telemedicine\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">went bust in 2015\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; even after reportedly raising over $40 million and forming a joint venture with the Cleveland Clinic. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reasons for its failure are manifold from the overhead associated with building and delivering kiosks to the need to pre-arrange appointments. It wasn’t really healthcare on-demand, and technology has evolved past what these physical kiosks could offer; even our smartphones can achieve more. Whether it’s to keep track of suspicious skin moles, detect Alzheimer’s or measure vital signs such as temperature or oxygen saturation, smartphones are \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-smartphone-as-the-swiss-knife-of-digital-health\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the real Swiss Knife of digital health\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-28633 size-full\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01.png\" alt=\"Your smartphone as a swiss knife of digital health\" class=\"wp-image-28633\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01.png 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F178_tmf-01-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> \u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, other companies are still treading along the medical kiosk path with pharmaceutical offerings to expand access to care. In October 2019, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fyou-may-think-youve-seen-this-telemedicine-kiosk-movie-before-but\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the OnMed Station started to operate\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Tampa, Florida. The health kiosk offers telemedicine visits, remote diagnosis and features an automated dispenser for common medications like antibiotics and antihistamines. In comparison to HealthSpot, this kiosk is fully HIPAA-compliant, does not require human staff and can dispense medicine. Another example is that of \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Fyou-may-think-youve-seen-this-telemedicine-kiosk-movie-before-but\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the FDA-approved\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Consult Station from \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.h4d.com\u002Fen-uk\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">France-based HD4\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Their medical booth includes telemedicine consultation with portable diagnostic tools such as an EEG and a stethoscope; not unlike those, you could connect with your smartphone.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Such booths can be adopted on a smaller scale, but given past hurdles, they might not see the widespread success that they hope to achieve. Moreover, since patients themselves have access to the same technology from the phone in their pocket, pharmacies aren’t likely to invest in such kiosks that have the same features.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Scenario 2: Health consultancies\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wait in line; show your doctor’s prescription; take your medicines; pay the bill. These commercial aspects of pharmacies are all too common. And this perception is all too often at the expense of exchanging important medical information. Ever \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">decided not to ask questions about a drug and\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> leave right after settling the bill \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">because the line was so \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">long? What about not asking about \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vitamins \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and recommendations for mineral supplements \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you were checking before arriving\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">counter? \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pharmacists themselves \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">did not have time \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to spare for you \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anyway.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, with the help of digital health offerings, pharmacies can change from the simple drug distribution machines that we’re used to and into health consultancies. This is the more likely scenario in the short term given that technology and organisational schedules already enable it. Pharmacists will have the opportunity to provide basic care to patients with simple problems and\u002For provide health management consultations. This way pharmacies rise to almost the same level as that of primary care practices.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small.jpg\" alt=\"telemedicine and COVID-19\" class=\"wp-image-27309\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small.jpg 1920w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F03\u002FCOVID-telemed-small-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most important \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">factors \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for this development is the grass-root approach to healthcare. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This involves \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare professionals – \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">including \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pharmacists – \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">providing proactive \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">patient care in the location that is most convenient for the patient. When the actual presence of pharmacists is not possible, such solutions as telemedicine fall into place. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.intouchhealth.com\u002F\">Intouch Health\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cstrong> and its telehealth network patients in remote areas of the U.S. have access to high-quality emergency consultations for stroke, cardiovascular, and burn services in the exact time they need it.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Moreover, with telehealth, medical professionals in such towns and rural areas also have access to speciality services and patients can be treated in their own communities.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is part of the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so-called\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> point-of-care diagnostics, which allows patient diagnoses in the physician’s office, in an ambulance, at home, in the field, or in the hospital. The results of care are timely and allow rapid treatment to the patient. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, with digital health tools, a whole department’s worth of diagnostic tools can fit in a briefcase. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A digital stethoscope like the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fbridge-tradition-innovation-eko-core-digital-stethoscope-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eko Core\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lets users livestream recordings for telemedicine purposes. Portable ultrasound devices like the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthreshold-of-a-new-era-in-diagnostics-philips-lumify-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philips Lumify\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwireless-and-scanning-the-clarius-portable-ultrasound-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarius\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> deliver real-time high-resolution ultrasound images. The \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ffirst-medical-tricorder-viatom-checkme-pro-review\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Viatom Checkme Pro\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> packs multiple sensors in a single, handheld FDA-approved device to measure ECG, pulse, temperature, sleep quality and more.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>From a practical point of view, we see the biggest potential in this scenario as pharmacies could easily invest in those solutions and offer such diagnostic services. Pharmacists can further help patients analyse the data generated and derive meaningful conclusions from it. \u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>In addition, pharmacists are particularly fit for this purpose as they have the time to dedicate; a luxury that most doctor-patient meetings simply don’t have.\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>Scenario 3:  Pharmacies as specialised point-of-care\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This final scenario takes it\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> one step further in imagining the future of pharmacies. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depicts pharmacies as specialised point-of-care centres where personalised therapies are made possible. Such centres will 3D-print multiple medications on a single pill, sequence one’s genome and combine such offerings to customise dosages based on one’s genomic data. Automated dispensers can further load the pills onto delivery drones for at-home deliveries. Such centres will serve as a gateway to access advanced healthcare technologies conveniently.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These possibilities aren’t the figment of our imagination but are existing and available today. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In mainland Europe, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.p3pharmacy.co.uk\u002F10-things-about-automated-dispensing\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30-40% of pharmacies\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> use automated dispensers. Medical drone deliveries are routinely performed \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fdigital-health-in-rwanda\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in Rwanda\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier this year, \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fabrx.co.uk\u002F2020\u002F04\u002F06\u002Ffabrxs-pharmaceutical-3d-printer-for-personalised-medicines-m3dimaker-is-now-available\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FabRx released\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the first pharmaceutical 3D printer to manufacture personalised medicines. Their M3DIMAKER allows for the printing of medicines according to the user’s manufacturing needs, which in some cases means one month’s medication (28 pills) in around 8 minutes! Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing kits are getting more affordable and could soon \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2020\u002F02\u002F26\u002F905658\u002Fchina-bgi-100-dollar-genome\u002F\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost only $100\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Similar DTC kits are also gaining traction.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1527\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28941\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster.png 1527w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-768x543.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F06\u002F3d_printed_drugs_poster-1536x1087.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1527px) 100vw, 1527px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“\u003Cem>DTC kits will be a big item, likely to speed up faster due to COVID, in the coming 2-3 years\u003C\u002Fem>,” \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thedigitalapothecary.com\u002Fabout\">\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Timothy Aungst\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at MCPHS University, Worcester, told The Medical Futurist. “\u003Cem>I would expect to see business partnerships strengthen here, and companies like TruePill or Amazon or CVS to push it, possibly Walmart\u003C\u002Fem>.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, even if some advanced technologies might get integrated in pharmacies sooner, this scenario is still a longer-term one; even though the technologies are already available to make it possible. “\u003Cem>Yes, pharmacists could do it, but again, legal issues or payments need to be addressed despite it making sense,\u003C\u002Fem>” Timothy Aungst added. Indeed, regulatory constraints could hamper this adoption. Nevertheless, such constraints are part of the process of enabling a secured and trusted adoption for the best patient outcomes.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cb>The future of pharmacies will be human\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite all the tech-talk, a constant element that will be an integral part of the pharmacy of the future is the human element. While in the background automated robotic dispensers will solve logistics and drones will handle deliveries, it’s the human pharmacy staff who will be present at the forefront of the pharmacy.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>With robots handling menial, routine tasks, pharmacists will have more time to dedicate to patients, help them interpret the data from their wearables and tackle challenges requiring creativity. \u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several g\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ood examples out there to demonstrate how these can decrease costs and increase the quality and range of the service pharmacies provide today. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While in this article we discussed the scenarios that pharmacies can take, we also \u003Cstrong>analysed the technologies that will lead to these scenarios in \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-shaping-the-future-of-pharma-e-book\u002F#\">our e-book\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u003Cstrong> released earlier this year\u003C\u002Fstrong>. \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":194,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Despite modern society moulding their profession into medical shopkeeping, pharmacists have much more to offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",30493,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[198,199,31,200,201],491,521,499,494,[203,204,205,206,207,208,209,210,211,212,213,43,214,36,34,215,216,217,218,219,35,220,37,221,222,223,224,225],130,6229,1019,207,4979,519,6231,1020,218,5129,1076,6051,6057,568,355,6217,622,6219,406,6221,6223,6225,6227,[227,228,229,230],947,948,951,952,[],[233,234,235,236,237,238,239,240],4907,1571,1617,1631,1681,1723,2613,4763,[242,14,58,59,60,61,62,243,244,63,245,246,247,248,249,250,251,252,253,254,255,256,257,74,258,67,65,259,260,261,262,263,66,264,68,265,266,267,268,269,270,271,272,273],"post-13786","category-empowered-patients","category-future-medicine","category-healthcare-design","category-telemedicine","tag-3d-printing-2","tag-intouch-health","tag-lumify","tag-digital-health","tag-digital-pill","tag-gc4","tag-eko-core","tag-philips","tag-dtc","tag-hipaa","tag-clarius","tag-m3dimaker","tag-fabrx","tag-drug-development","tag-personalized-medicine","tag-royal-pharmaceutical-society","tag-viatom-checkme-pro","tag-mediwitch","tag-smartphone","tag-medical-booth","tag-healthspot","tag-onmed","tag-hd4","project_category-company","project_category-developers","project_category-patients","project_category-policy-makers",{"id":195,"alt_text":275,"caption":276,"description":277,"media_type":77,"media_details":278,"post":305,"source_url":306},"Future of Pharmacies","The pharmacy of the future","As patients are the most underused resources of healthcare, pharmacists are the most underused resources of medicine. That needs to change.",{"width":279,"height":280,"file":281,"sizes":282,"image_meta":304},1920,1080,"2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01.png",{"medium":283,"large":289,"thumbnail":294,"medium_large":298,"1536x1536":299},{"file":284,"width":285,"height":286,"mime-type":287,"source_url":288},"210_tmf-01-370x208.png","370","208","image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-370x208.png",{"file":290,"width":291,"height":292,"mime-type":287,"source_url":293},"210_tmf-01-768x432.png","768","432","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-768x432.png",{"file":295,"width":296,"height":296,"mime-type":287,"source_url":297},"210_tmf-01-150x150.png","150","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-150x150.png",{"file":290,"width":291,"height":292,"mime-type":287,"source_url":293},{"file":300,"width":301,"height":302,"mime-type":287,"source_url":303},"210_tmf-01-1536x864.png","1536","864","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01-1536x864.png",{"aperture":110,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":110,"copyright":27,"focal_length":110,"iso":110,"shutter_speed":110,"title":27,"orientation":110},30459,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2020\u002F10\u002F210_tmf-01.png",{"cta_type":308,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":309,"related_posts_footer":312,"related_posts":20,"key_takeaways":316},"subscribe",[310,311],27927,30419,[313,314,315],16762,29929,29531,[317,319],{"title":318},"\u003Cp>We analyzed three potential scenarios when it comes to using advanced technologies in pharmacies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":320},"\u003Cp>Despite all the tech-talk, a constant element that will be an integral part of the pharmacy of the future is the human element.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":322,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":323,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":188},"The Future Of Pharmacies In 3 Scenarios - The Medical Futurist","The rapid development of medical technology affects every aspect of healthcare – and pharmacies cannot escape its transformative power either.",{"self":325,"collection":330,"about":332,"author":334,"replies":336,"version-history":339,"predecessor-version":343,"wp:featuredmedia":347,"wp:attachment":350,"wp:term":353,"curies":364},[326],{"href":327,"targetHints":328},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13786",{"allow":329},[132],[331],{"href":135},[333],{"href":138},[335],{"embeddable":26,"href":141},[337],{"embeddable":26,"href":338},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13786",[340],{"count":341,"href":342},21,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13786\u002Frevisions",[344],{"id":345,"href":346},60303,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13786\u002Frevisions\u002F60303",[348],{"embeddable":26,"href":349},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F30493",[351],{"href":352},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13786",[354,356,358,360,362],{"taxonomy":161,"embeddable":26,"href":355},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13786",{"taxonomy":164,"embeddable":26,"href":357},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13786",{"taxonomy":167,"embeddable":26,"href":359},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13786",{"taxonomy":170,"embeddable":26,"href":361},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13786",{"taxonomy":173,"embeddable":26,"href":363},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13786",[365],{"name":177,"href":178,"templated":26},[],1788949281973]