Pharmacists in the digital era: Opportunities and challenges in telepharmacy implementation

Abstract

Ali Alhur*, Majd Albatshan, Hamad M. Alanazi, Rayan Alzahrani, Muath Mohammed, Anas Mohammed Alsufyani, Haya Alsharif, Rana A. Alamri, Lama A. Alamri, Shahad Alqahtani, Maryam Ali, Fahad H. AlShammari, Thamer Alessa, Ibrahim Alsughayyir, Shatha Alqahtani

Telepharmacy has emerged as a transformative approach in pharmacy practice, leveraging digital technologies to provide remote access to pharmaceutical care and optimize medication management. As healthcare continues to evolve with digital advancements, telepharmacy presents pharmacists with significant opportunities to expand their roles, improve patient outcomes, and enhance care accessibility, especially in underserved regions. Nevertheless, its integration is fraught with challenges, such as regulatory barriers, data privacy issues, technological limitations, and resistance to change. This paper discusses the opportunities telepharmacy offers pharmacists in the digital era, identifies challenges in its implementation, and proposes strategies for successful integration into healthcare systems.