
The pharmaceutical industry, historically a titan of innovation in drug discovery, has often been critiqued for its transactional relationship with the very individuals it serves: patients. Long queues, complex medication regimens, daunting side effects, and a persistent information asymmetry have shaped a patient experience often characterised by anxiety and disempowerment. But what if this narrative could fundamentally shift? What if every patient, from Lagos to London, could feel genuinely supported, informed, and truly central to their healthcare journey?
The answer, I believe, lies in the imminent arrival of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Unlike the “narrow AI” we’ve seen dominate headlines – excelling at specific tasks like drug discovery or image analysis – AGI aims for human-level cognitive ability: the capacity to learn, reason, understand, and apply knowledge across diverse domains. When this paradigm-shifting technology fully integrates into the pharmaceutical landscape, it won’t just optimise operations; it will fundamentally reshape and elevate the patient experience, transforming it from a series of disjointed transactions into a continuum of personalised, empathetic care.
A holistic AGI-powered patient journey
Imagine a world where your fight against a complex illness, like Mr Felix’s battle with prostate cancer, is met with an intelligent, ever-present companion. This isn’t just a chatbot; it’s an AGI.
- Personalised medication management and adherence: The challenge of medication non-adherence, particularly for complex regimens, is immense. For someone like Mr Felix, whose side effects can make consistent dosing a battle, an AGI companion could be a game-changer.
Intelligent reminders: Beyond simple alerts, an AGI understands context. It knows Mr. Felix’s typical routine, the side effects he experiences, and can tailor reminders or suggest coping mechanisms based on his real-time physiological data (from wearables) and expressed mood. If a common side effect is nausea, it might suggest a specific time to take the pill with a particular food, or even integrate with a smart kitchen to recommend a simple meal.
Side effect management: An AGI could learn Mr Felix’s individual side effect profile, cross-referencing it with millions of patient experiences and clinical data. It could then offer personalised, evidence-based strategies to mitigate discomfort, suggest non-pharmacological interventions, or even prompt Mr Felix to consult his doctor if symptoms warrant it. This moves beyond generic advice to truly personalized, actionable support.
Drug interaction and contraindication alerts: While current systems do this, an AGI would offer nuanced, real-time alerts considering an individual’s complete health profile, lifestyle, and even genetic predispositions, providing explanations in plain language that Mr Felix can easily understand.
- Unlocking access to genuine medications and information: In regions like Nigeria, where the prevalence of fake drugs is a critical concern, AGI could be a powerful deterrent and enabler of trust.
Advanced verification (Beyond QR Codes): An AGI-powered system like HubPharm’s DrugVerify could analyse not just simple codes, but also packaging nuances, molecular signatures (via specialised sensors), and supply chain data in real-time, providing an unassailable verification of authenticity. It could learn new counterfeiting patterns on the fly and adapt its detection methods.
Intelligent sourcing: For specialty medications that are hard to find, an AGI could dynamically identify the nearest verified pharmacies with genuine stock, factoring in the patient’s location (like Mr. Felix in Lagos), affordability options, and delivery logistics, truly ensuring “convenient access.”
Empathetic information delivery: Beyond just providing drug facts, an AGI could explain complex medical information about prostate cancer treatment in a way that resonates with Mr Felix’s educational background, using analogies and examples tailored to his understanding, reducing anxiety and fostering informed decision-making.
- Holistic lifestyle and mental health support: Patient experience extends far beyond medication; it encompasses mental, emotional, and lifestyle well-being.
Personalised lifestyle coaching: An AGI could act as a dynamic lifestyle coach, integrating data from wearables, dietary logs, and even mood journals. It could offer personalised recommendations for exercise, nutrition, and sleep that are specifically tailored to Mr. Felix’s cancer journey, factoring in his side effects and energy levels. It wouldn’t just give generic advice but adapt its recommendations daily, fostering healthier habits.
Proactive mental health check-ins: The psychological toll of chronic illness is immense. An AGI could monitor subtle shifts in a patient’s language or activity patterns and proactively engage them in empathetic conversations, offering coping strategies, suggesting mindfulness exercises, or, crucially, flagging situations where professional psychological intervention is needed. It could act as a first line of subtle, non-judgmental support.
Connecting to support networks: An AGI could intelligently connect patients to relevant support groups, specialists, or community resources, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing isolation.
Sesan Kareem is the founder of HubPharm Africa (www.hubpharmafrica.com), a pioneering digital pharmacy platform that enhances access to genuine, affordable medicines and promotes a healthy lifestyle to help Africans thrive wherever they are in the world.