Brevy

Will AI replace pharmacists?

Pharmacists have only "minimal exposure" to generative AI according to the International Labour Organization: the occupation ranks below the four exposure gradients of its index. A single task reaches the threshold, advising on drug interactions and contraindications; the least exposed are preparing and storing medicines.

ILO reference occupation · Pharmacists

Minimally exposed

A few tasks can be assisted by AI; most of the job does not change.

ILO category: Minimal exposure

What AI changes in the job, task by task

Advising on drug interactions, incompatibilities and contraindications is the only task at the threshold (a score of 0.50 out of 1). Keeping prescription and narcotics records follows (0.41). Hands-on pharmacy work is much less exposed: preparing and labelling medicines (0.24), storing vaccines and serums (0.11).

  • Providing information and advice to prescribers and clients regarding drug interactions, incompatibility and contraindications, side effects, dosage and proper medication storage

    Exposed

  • Maintaining prescription files and recording issue of narcotics, poisons and habit-forming drugs in accordance with legal and professional requirements

    Low

  • Evaluating labels, packaging and advertising of drug products

    Low

  • Testing and analysing drugs to determine their identity, purity and strength in relation to specified standards

    Low

  • Developing information and risks of particular drugs

    Low

  • Advising clients on and supplying non-prescription medicines and diagnostic and therapeutic aids for common conditions

    Low

  • Supervising and coordinating the work of pharmacy technicians, pharmacy interns and pharmacy sales assistants

    Low

  • Receiving prescriptions for medicinal products from medical doctors and other health professionals, checking patients' medicine histories, and ensuring proper dosage and methods of administration and drug compatibility before dispensing

    Low

  • Conferring with chemists, engineering professionals and other professionals about manufacturing techniques and ingredients

    Low

  • Conducting research to develop and improve pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and related chemical products

    Low

  • Collaborating with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the medicine therapy of individual patients, and the effectiveness of particular drugs or therapies

    Low

  • Preparing or supervising the preparation and labelling of liquid medicines, ointments, powders, tablets and other medications to fill prescriptions

    Very low

  • Storing and preserving vaccines, serums and other drugs subject to deterioration

    Very low

Source: ILO, Generative AI and Jobs, Working Paper 140, 2025.

Neighbouring jobs

Around pharmacy, exposure rises on the research side: biologists reach gradient 2. Chemists, pharmacy technicians and medical laboratory technicians have minimal exposure, and general practitioners are not exposed.

  • Biologists, Botanists, Zoologists and Related Professionals

    Moderately exposed

  • Chemists

    Minimally exposed

  • Pharmaceutical Technicians and Assistants

    Minimally exposed

  • Pharmacists· this job

    Minimally exposed

  • Medical and Pathology Laboratory Technicians

    Minimally exposed

  • Generalist Medical Practitioners

    Barely affected

Try another job

Limits

The ILO index is global and describes the tasks of the international classification, without separating retail, hospital and industry pharmacists: all fall under code 2262. Its 2025 scores were largely produced by AI models, then checked against a survey of workers and expert panels: they are estimates, not measurements. Opening counts only cover Brevy's catalogue.

Source: Gmyrek, P., Berg, J., Kamiński, K., Konopczyński, F., Ładna, A., Nafradi, B., Rosłaniec, K., Troszyński, M. Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure. ILO Working Paper 140. Geneva: International Labour Office, 2025. © ILO, CC BY 4.0. https://doi.org/10.54394/HETP0387

This page is an adaptation: categories are regrouped for the table. Notice required by the licence:

This is an adaptation of a copyrighted work of the International Labour Organization (ILO). This adaptation has not been prepared, reviewed or endorsed by the ILO and should not be considered an official ILO adaptation. The ILO disclaims all responsibility for its content and accuracy. Responsibility rests solely with the author(s) of the adaptation.

Search titles: ESCO, European Commission. Openings: Brevy catalogue.

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