Pharmacists as patient advocates: enhancing medication adherence and health outcomes

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists are increasingly positioned as patient advocates, and digital technologies including Electronic Prescription Services (EPS), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and automated dispensing systems offer potential to improve medication adherence and health outcomes.

Objective: To examine how pharmacists can act as patient advocates to enhance medication adherence and health outcomes through digital technology, and to identify associated benefits and drawbacks.

Methods: A qualitative research approach was combined with secondary quantitative research, guided by a pragmatist research philosophy. Thematic analysis was applied to data drawn from selected published articles. A case study of a 1,000-bed hospital using a comprehensive electronic prescription system for 10 years, later integrating two networked robotic dispensing machines, was analyzed to evaluate impact on hospital operations and patient outcomes.

Results: Electronic prescribing linked to robotic dispensing was associated with a 16% improvement in outpatient department performance, capacity gains equivalent to 4 inpatient dispensary patients, stockholding efficiency savings exceeding £500,000, zero dispensing errors, and faster dispensing. More broadly, automated dispensing and pharmacy robotics were linked to enhanced self-reported physical/mental health and reduced hospitalizations, emergency visits, and physician appointments; one cited study found dispensing devices did not improve depression, cognition, quality of life, or functional status compared to pill organizers.

Conclusion: EPS and pharmacy robotics can improve dispensing accuracy, operational efficiency, and outcomes, supporting an expanded pharmacist advocacy role. Further quantitative research is needed on the mixed effects on psychological and functional outcomes.