In the Digital Public Health Podcast, host Rasmus Cloes talks to Dr. Stefan Schwenzer about the future of pharmacies in the digital healthcare system. Topics such as the e-prescription, digital medication security and competition with mail-order giants show: Digitalization offers opportunities, but poses major challenges for small pharmacies. How can they retain their role as personal healthcare advisors?
Megacorporation or local pharmacy: who will supply us with medicines in the future? In this episode of the Digital Public Health Podcast, host Rasmus Cloes talks to Dr Stefan Schwenzer, owner of the KOSMOS pharmacy in Bremen and responsible for digitalization as a member of the board of the Bremen Chamber of Pharmacists. The conversation focuses on the role of pharmacies in a digitalized healthcare system.
Specifically, we start with the introduction of e-prescriptions. Stefan explains how it facilitates work processes in pharmacies, but also brings new problems with it - such as technical failures or insufficient adaptation to everyday pharmacy life. Another key topic is medication safety. Stefan describes how digital tools are used to check interactions and create medication plans.
However, many pharmacies do not take advantage of these opportunities due to a lack of financial and human resources. Small pharmacies in particular find it difficult to bear the high costs of digital innovations. Rasmus and Stefan also talk about the vision of developing pharmacies as “digital health kiosks”. Projects such as digital blood pressure measurements and medication coaching show the potential pharmacies have in prevention.
However, this requires greater financial support from politicians, emphasizes Stefan. Another point of discussion is the competition with mail-order pharmacies and international providers. Stefan criticizes the fact that digitalization often favours large market players, while local pharmacies come under pressure. His appeal to politicians: more focus on security of supply and support for local pharmacies. Finally, Stefan gives an outlook on the future of pharmacies.
He sees great opportunities in digital innovations, but warns that personal advice and proximity to patients must be maintained. Pharmacies can remain important partners in the healthcare system - if the right framework conditions are created.
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