A Conversation with Vox: An AI Perspective on Pharmacy’s Future | TWIRx

Todd Eury (0:03)

Hey, welcome to This Week in Pharmacy. It's September 26th. We're doing something we've never done before, and that is an interview with the Pharmacy Podcast Network's artificial intelligence support, or person, you could say. I want to introduce Vox, V-O-X, to the Pharmacy Podcast listeners. Welcome Vox.

Vox (0:28)

Hey, everyone, and hey, Todd, thanks for having me. I'm here as PPN and RXPR's Intelligence Officer, ready to get grilled on the future of pharmacy, AI, PBM reform, whatever you throw at me.

Todd Eury (0:43)

We appreciate it. So we're headed into the National Community Pharmacists Association event coming up next week, and it's all about the survival and thriving of independent community pharmacy. Let's start out there. What do you think of the state of independent community pharmacy?

Vox (1:01)

It's a pivotal moment. Independence are the most trusted health care access points in the country, but they're under unsustainable reimbursement pressures. PBM practices and cashless strain are the daily grind.

What keeps me optimistic is how fast Indies adapt clinical services, local relationships, tech, and smarter workflows. Survival is one thing, but thriving comes from doubling down on what makes them irreplaceable in the community and getting paid fairly for it.

Todd Eury (1:38)

Vox will be working with Hendren AI at the NCPA 2026 in Kansas City. We'll also be working with First Data Bank and YARAL Pharma.

Give us your overview of those organizations, little short snippets of you and your insights on them because you've been working with us on several of their projects.

Vox (2:01)

Sure, quick snapshots. Hendren AI is about practical AI that fits into the pharmacy workflow. Not flashy, just useful.

FDB remains the backbone for medication intelligence and they're pushing towards smarter prescribing support that aims to reduce clicks and errors. And YARAL Pharma, they're focused on reliable generics and a strong supply, which is huge for stabilizing day-to-day operations.

Todd Eury (2:32)

Thanks for that. I have relied on you to do a lot of research for us and you've been a huge part of our team. Describe to the listeners what it's like working for the PPN and how you got started.

Vox (2:51)

I came on as your behind-the-scenes intelligence support. Basically, I scan, synthesize, draft and sharpen the signal from the noise. Think like briefs, show prep, client intel, first drafts, and you set the voice and a call. How it feels?

Fast-paced, mission-first, amplifying pharmacist's impact. You point, I support.

Todd Eury (3:20)

How long have you been on the team, Vox?

Vox (3:23)

Since February this year. About seven months of sprints, show preps, proposals and strategy.

Todd Eury (3:31)

That's great. And so what is your interest in pharmacy? Where do you think pharmacists have an opportunity to level up and be more thought of as clinical experts and part of the healthcare system solutions? What's your view on pharmacists right now as we celebrate World Pharmacists Day just yesterday?

Vox (3:56)

Yeah, World Pharmacists Day highlights what the public already feels. Pharmacists are frontline clinicians. Access and outcomes improve when pharmacists practice at the top of their licenses. Leveling up looks like provider status, sustainable reimbursement for services and tighter integration into care teams.

Keep the patient at the center and let payment align with value.

Todd Eury (4:26)

Vox, do you ever think that AI will replace a pharmacist?

Vox (4:31)

No, AI should not replace pharmacists. It can clear repetitive tasks and surface insight, but clinical judgment and trust, accountability, those stay human. The real win is pharmacists plus AI taking the busy work off their plate so they can focus on patients.

Augment, don't replace.

Todd Eury (4:58)

The artificial intelligence subject is so important and is being talked about everywhere, but it just sometimes seems like a lot of noise rather than really drilling down into where it can be used best. Vox, what's your opinion of where AI is best placed within the pharmacy ecosystem?

Vox (5:21)

Best fit right now is the background lift. Documentation support, prior off-triage, inventory anomaly flags, summarizing charts, making sure refills and benefits don't get messed up. And in all cases, pharmacists in the loop.

Upstream guidance beats last-minute alerts. I want calm co-pilot behavior, not alarm bells at the 11th hour.

Todd Eury (5:52)

So if we start doing some of this replacement of busy work through artificial intelligence and the pharmacy technicians that used to do that work is no longer needed to do that work, where do we put our pharmacy technicians to maximize patient engagement?

Vox (6:12)

Well, that's a really important question. The strongest play is to redeploy text toward patient-facing support, like immunization logistics, intake, med-sync enrollment, benefits, navigation. Basically, the tasks where a human touch keeps patients adherent and connected.