UAE Using Artificial Intelligence In Pharmaceutical Services

The United Arab Emirates' Sheikh Khalifa Medical City has developed its technological systems using artificial intelligence to accelerate its pharmaceutical services to patients, first such smart pharmacy in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Nov, 2018 ) :The United Arab Emirates' Sheikh Khalifa Medical City has developed its technological systems using artificial intelligence to accelerate its pharmaceutical services to patients, first such smart pharmacy in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

SKMC Smart Pharmacy, the largest pharmacy in the emirate, accelerates patients' drug dispensation processes, ensuring drug safety and efficiency via artificial intelligence, AI, technologies. It relies on a smart robot to prepare, dispense and control medicines.

The smart pharmacy serves nearly 800 prescriptions per day, with an intelligent robot dispensing prescribed medicines in eight to ten seconds � an average of 90 boxes per minute, the equivalent of 5,400 medication boxes per hour.

In an interview with Emirates news Agency, WAM, Mohammed Al-Hajri, Director of Engineering Services at SKMC, said that the smart pharmacy is the largest of its kind in the country, making up the equivalent of 20 counters at a regular pharmacy. It can store over 55,000 medicines, he continued, adding that it reduces both waiting time and risk of error.

Pharmacists will continue to play a critical role at the smart pharmacy, bringing in the human element by dealing face-to-face with patients, providing them with crucial information including how to use the medication and its possible side effects. The AI robot will dispense the medicines, placing pharmacists in an excellent position to not only play a more Primary role in treating illness, but also providing additional preventative care and guidance to patients.

SKMC's primary objective behind launching the smart facility is to ensure the swift delivery of pharmaceutical services while upholding patient safety.

A quality control check applied by the intelligent pharmacy system includes automatically barring the storage of medications that are due to expire in less than three months.

Dr. Mayada Al-Tunaiji, Pharmacist, Specialised Clinics at SKMC, explained the mechanisms involved in the Smart Pharmacy. She noted that upon the arrival of a patient to the pharmacy counter, the pharmacist will receive the prescription, and verify patient records. The pharmacist will then enter the prescription details, after which the smart robot will dispense the medications within a 10-second time frame, Dr. Al-Tunaiji continued, adding that the pharmacist will then advise patients about the safe and effective use of the drugs prescribed, and their potential side effects.

SKMC Smart Pharmacy also features a 24-hour alarm system, that measures temperature and humidity levels. Should a malfunction occur, the AI system will immediately notify pharmaceutical teams and technical support, allowing for a rapid response and avoid damage to medicines stored. It's systems employ state-of-the-art technologies, with drug-specific serial numbers, to ensure both qualitative and quantitative storage of drugs, as well as ensure accurate and efficient dispersal of medicines.

The use of artificial intelligence technologies in health care will redefine the industry and enhance health outcomes. The AI robot at SKMC Smart Pharmacy will help shift perceptions of what is frequently seen as a transaction-based business, and move towards swift and engaging health care services. Automated dispensing of medicines gives pharmacists more time to engage with a greater volume of patients, reducing the risks of errors and enhancing healthcare outcomes.