When expertise is no longer enough: Power, leadership, and the future of Pharmacy in the age of AI
Overview
In this thought-provoking episode, Johnathan sits down with Professor Zubin Austin to explore how the traditional foundations of pharmacy — knowledge and expertise — are being disrupted by artificial intelligence, misinformation, and changing societal values. Together, they unpack what this means for pharmacists’ professional identity, leadership, and the evolving power dynamics within healthcare.
Key Themes & Discussion Points:
The Myth of the “Expert in Medicines”
Pharmacy’s historical reliance on expert power as defined by French & Raven’s classic social power model.
The self-anointed nature of expertise — and why it may no longer be enough.
AI and the Erosion of Informational Power
How AI democratises knowledge and challenges professional authority.
The rise of “health influencers” and the collapse of shared truth in the post-expert era.
Leadership and the Power Gap in Pharmacy
Insights from research showing pharmacists’ discomfort with using power explicitly.
Why leadership education must evolve beyond charisma toward genuine influence and accountability.
Learning from Nursing: The Power of Care
Nursing’s success in defining itself through care rather than knowledge.
The origins of pharmaceutical care in the 1990s — and how it can be reimagined today.
Can pharmacists redefine their identity around care, empathy, and patient outcomes?
Pharmaceutical Care 2.0 — The Five Pillars
Put patients first
Define clear, reproducible standards of care
Integrate fully across health professions
Deliver measurable outcomes through innovation
Align payment with system-wide value
The Central Question:
When expertise is no longer enough, is the power of care enough?
Looking Ahead:
This conversation sets the stage for the 2026 Pharmacy in Practice Conference, themed around “Power, Leadership, and the Future of Pharmacy.”
📅 Date: March 25th, 2026
📍 Location: Novotel Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh
🎟️ Registration: Now open at [Pharmacy in Practice website]
Credits:
Hosted by Johnathan Laird
Guest: Professor Zubin Austin
Produced by Pharmacy in Practice
8 Mar 2025
Paul Bennett: Leadership, the RPS, and the Future of Pharmacists
In this episode of the Pharmacy in Practice Podcast, host Johnathan Laird and guest Chief Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Paul Bennett discuss leadership challenges, the evolution of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), and the future of pharmacists.
Key Discussion Points:
Discussion and acknowledgement of leadership challenges, particularly in balancing diverse organisational interests.
Discussion on the RPS and its evolving relevance to pharmacists.
Bennett provides insights into the RPS's transformation since 2010, including membership decline and efforts to demonstrate value.
Debate over whether the RPS prioritises organisational survival over representing pharmacists' interests.
Exploration of the potential establishment of a Royal College of Pharmacy and its implications for the profession.
Discussion on maintaining independence while ensuring organisational sustainability.
Explanation of the upcoming Special Resolution Vote on RPS’s Royal Charter changes.
Key questions about the RPS’s mission, independence, and expected changes for pharmacists were raised.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadership, governance, and the evolving landscape of pharmacy.
27 Jan 2025
Exploring AI and the evolving role of pharmacists with Steve Smoke
In this episode of the Pharmacy in Practice podcast, host Johnathan Laird sits down with U.S. pharmacist Steve Smoke for an insightful conversation spanning the current political climate in the U.S., the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmacy, and innovative approaches to patient care.
We are also joined by our fantastic new editor, Grace Lewis, and we are revealing our new podcast jingle.
Johnathan and Steve share their unique perspectives, shaped by their experiences in Scotland and the U.S., respectively. Highlights include:
AI in Pharmacy:
Johnathan’s enthusiasm for AI and its potential to revolutionize pharmacy.
Steve’s candid discussion about the intimidation many pharmacists feel towards AI due to insufficient training.
A call for foundational conversations to demystify AI and equip pharmacists with the tools they need to embrace it.
Steve’s Professional Journey:
Transitioning from clinical pharmacy to informatics, a path shaped by experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. His upcoming role as the lead informatics pharmacist for his health system.
Innovative Concepts in Pharmacy:
Johnathan introduces "technoceutical care," an approach that leverages technology to enhance patient outcomes.
Contrasting perspectives on pharmacy practice in hospital versus outpatient settings.
Vaccination and Antimicrobial Resistance:
Steve’s advocacy for current vaccines and the potential for new vaccines to combat resistant pathogens.
Johnathan’s critical view of the pharmaceutical industry's motives sparked a balanced discussion on the role of vaccines in public health.
The Role of AI in Pharmacy:
Categorizing AI’s potential applications into clinical pharmacy, operations, and administrative tasks.
Ethical considerations surrounding "Sovereign Data" and the importance of individual data ownership and transparency.
The transformative potential of AI and the challenges of integrating it into pharmacy practice.
Key Takeaway:
Johnathan and Steve’s conversation provides a thought-provoking exploration of the intersections between technology, public health, and the evolving role of pharmacists. As they reflect on the future, they share a vision of reconvening in a decade to assess how far the field has come.
Tune in to Learn:
How AI is shaping the future of pharmacy.
The innovative concept of "technoceutical care."
Insights into vaccination strategies to address antimicrobial resistance.
Ethical and practical considerations for adopting new technologies in pharmacy practice.
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
37
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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