How is artificial intelligence shaping the future of healthcare? And what can pharmacy students do to maximize its potential? A new graduate-level course at the USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a deep dive into the transformative technologies shaping the future of pharmacy practices, drug development and regulatory affairs. The elective class, PHRD 599: Special Topics: Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy, begins in spring 2025.
Co-taught by PhD student Yasi Mojab, PharmD ’23, and Steven Chen—associate dean for clinical affairs and the William A. Heeres and Josephine A. Heeres Chair in Community Pharmacy—the course examines a wide range of emerging healthcare technologies, including:
- Digital health technologies, such as telehealth, wearables, digital devices and electronic health records
- AI’s use in personalized medicine, drug discovery, clinical decision support, research and data analysis
- Medical virtual reality and digital therapeutics
The course includes a dry lab featuring demo devices, computer software and virtual reality tools. In addition to common generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, students will explore industry leaders like AppliedVR for pain management and EndeavorOTC for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—digital therapies that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Students will also address the regulatory challenges and ethical implications of such pioneering technologies.
“Digital health and AI have grown exponentially in recent years,” Mojab says. “Proficiency in AI tools is essential for future healthcare leaders.” She notes that the FDA has authorized more than 950 AI/machine-learning-enabled medical devices—among them the smartphone-powered, at-home Minuteful kidney test, as well as applications for radiology, gastroenterology and neurology.
“Digital health and AI have tremendous potential to address these needs, as demonstrated by heavy investments made by healthcare stakeholders—health systems, payers, IT and more,” Chen notes. “The pharmacy profession needs to be prepared to take on major roles in the development and implementation of digital health and AI technology, and this exciting new elective will provide a great foundation for any learner.”
More information can be found at USC Schedule of Classes.
