A new online graduate certificate program at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy teaches tomorrow’s pharmacists how to apply principles of artificial intelligence, or AI, and machine learning to pharmacy practice. The Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy online graduate certificate is currently enrolling students for classes beginning in fall 2024.
Khoa Nguyen, Pharm.D., a clinical assistant professor of pharmacotherapy and translational research in the UF College of Pharmacy, will lead the course Principles of Pharmacy Informatics and teach Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy as part of this certificate program. These courses will provide students with a foundational understanding of health information technology, and enrollees will gain insights into how AI is utilized in pharmacy. Nguyen said AI and machine learning are leading a transformation of the pharmacy industry, creating a crucial need for tomorrow’s pharmacists to master these technologies.
“From personalizing medication therapies and accelerating drug discovery to automating routine tasks and enhancing patient engagement, AI offers a powerful toolkit for improving patient care and shaping the future of the pharmacy profession,” Nguyen said. “AI and machine learning are not replacing pharmacists; they are augmenting their capabilities. By understanding these technologies, future pharmacists can actively shape the evolution of the profession and position themselves at the forefront of innovation in patient care.”
Nguyen said the program will equip graduates for several career paths in which pharmacy and AI intersect. For example, students might become pharmaceutical data scientists, who work within a pharmaceutical company or research institution analyzing large datasets of drug discovery information, patient records, or clinical trials. Nguyen pointed to another potential career path as a clinical informatics pharmacist, who will develop AI-driven tools to identify at-risk patients, customize medications based on patient data and predictive analytics, and optimize electronic health record systems.
Other courses offered as part of the Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy online graduate certificate include three Foundations of Precision Medicine classes focusing on genomic technologies, medical molecular genetics, and genetic epidemiology, respectively. The nine-credit program can be completed within one year, or three academic semesters. For more information about applying to the program, please visit https://go.ufl.edu/ufpharmacyai.