September 2025
Dear SOPIT Members,
Welcome back! As summer gives way to fall, the pace of our work is accelerating faster than the leaves change color. Across our section advisory groups (SAGs), important initiatives are underway: advancing the thoughtful use of clinical systems and technology, strengthening data analytics, and enhancing governance. All of these efforts are closely aligned with ASHP’s newly updated Strategic Plan, where technology and innovation are positioned front-and-center. I extend my gratitude to our SAG members for dedicating their time and expertise to this important work.
ASHP Policy Week recently concluded, bringing together volunteers from across the country to develop policies, position statements, and white papers that guide daily practice. Members also visited Capitol Hill to advocate for access to pharmacist services, 340B, and support for schools of pharmacy. This policy engagement is essential to our role as pharmacy practitioners in informatics and technology.
Artificial intelligence is now a fixture on nearly every professional agenda – and for good reason. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to review OpenAI’s recent report on ChatGPT use. Today, only 30% of usage is work-related, underscoring both the tremendous opportunity and the urgent need for robust governance.
As stewards of the medication-use ecosystem, our charge is clear:
- Build governance frameworks that ensure AI is safe, equitable, and aligned with optimal medication-use outcomes.
- Promote responsible day-to-day use across the workforce. Governance is our responsibility, but thoughtful use is everyone’s responsibility.
I also want to congratulate all who contributed to the development of the ASHP Statement on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy. This statement provides an essential foundation for our profession, emphasizing patient-centered care, safety, ethics, and workforce readiness as we responsibly integrate AI into pharmacy practice.
Looking ahead, the enhanced dispenser requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) take effect on Nov. 27. With vendors releasing new tools to support compliance, now is the time to validate data exchange, governance, and response workflows with your trading partners.
Finally, for those attending the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition in Las Vegas, Dec. 7–10, I encourage you to join us at the SOPIT Social Hour on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. at Hazel Coffee & Cocktails in Mandalay Bay. This is always a great opportunity to connect with colleagues and strengthen our community.
Thank you for your continued commitment to SOPIT, to the pharmacy staff we support, and most importantly, to our patients. Please consider me as a resource if you have questions about our work or would like to become more engaged.
Warm regards,
David Agüero, PharmD, MSTL, FASHP, FAMIA
Chair, Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology
sections@ashp.org
