Germany's pharmacies turn to AI to tackle labor shortages and rising demands

German pharmacies could soon rely more on AI to handle daily challenges. Currently, only 13 percent use such technology, even though they manage over a billion patient interactions each year. SPD health policy spokesperson Matthias Mieves believes AI adoption is now essential for their future success.

Germany's 17,000 pharmacies serve around three million people daily, employing 160,000 staff. Yet most still operate without AI support, despite growing pressures like labour shortages and rising patient demands. Mieves argues that AI tools could ease these strains by automating routine tasks.

An existing government-funded AI voucher program aims to help small and medium-sized businesses, including pharmacies, adopt new technology. A targeted voucher could make AI feasible for smaller outlets, though no verified data shows how many have applied for or used it so far.

Potential AI applications include 24/7 chatbots for basic patient queries and systems to streamline quality management paperwork. The technology might also improve supply chain efficiency by analysing sales trends and predicting demand.

The push for AI in pharmacies comes as the sector faces increasing workloads and staffing issues. With government support available, more outlets may soon turn to automation for everyday tasks. The impact on service quality and operational costs remains to be seen.