NACDS calls for risk-proportionate, pro-innovation approach to clinical AI adoption

ARLINGTON, VA — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today announced it has submitted comments to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy / Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC) in response to the Request for Information (RFI) titled “Accelerating the Adoption and Use of Artificial Intelligence as Part of Clinical Care.”

NACDS’s comments reinforce its health and wellness innovation priorities to advance practical, scalable solutions that strengthen community pharmacy’s role in care delivery—including technology-driven workflow efficiency (such as central fill), pharmacy data interoperability as a linchpin for expanding access to pharmacist-provided services, and the appropriate, responsible use of AI to support clinicians and improve outcomes.

“NACDS supports a forward-looking, patient-centered approach to clinical AI—one that accelerates responsible innovation while reinforcing the safeguards that protect patients and public trust,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “Pharmacies are the nation’s most accessible healthcare destinations and are positioned to help scale prevention, adherence, and timely interventions—especially when technology is implemented in ways that strengthen care teams and integrate seamlessly into workflow.”

In its submission, NACDS recommends that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and ASTP/ONC advance a harmonized, risk-proportionate national framework that:

Reinforces existing guardrails and avoids duplicative regulation, with clear coordination across federal agencies and alignment that reduces fragmentation and uncertainty.

Aligns payment policy with AI-supported clinical value, emphasizing that reimbursement is foundational to sustainable adoption—particularly for pharmacist-rendered clinical services supported by AI.

Strengthens interoperability so pharmacies can securely access and exchange clinically relevant electronic health information in structured, workflow-integrated formats—a necessary prerequisite for safe, effective AI enablement.

Establishes clearer governance for non-device AI, including risk-tiered expectations for oversight, documentation, privacy and data governance, audit treatment, and practical approaches that encourage good-faith adoption while preserving accountability.

Expands applied research and real-world demonstrations, including public-private partnerships that validate AI-supported clinical tools in real-world pharmacy settings.

“NACDS’ health and wellness innovation priorities focus on real-world implementation of high-impact pharmacy services—improving workflow efficiency, modernizing pharmacy data exchange, accelerating payment for pharmacy services, and ensuring AI is deployed appropriately to augment clinician judgment, protect privacy, and enhance patient care,” Anderson added. “With the right policy environment, AI can help pharmacists and care teams identify needs earlier, reduce administrative burden, and improve care coordination—while maintaining the appropriate patient safeguards.”