Lloyds Pharmacy is rolling out a new AI-powered platform to strengthen its supply chain and centralise planning in move designed to increase patient care and improve the customer experience.

The new system, deployed in collaboration with AI supply chain planning company Slimstock, aims to centralise forecasts, orders and supplies across its network of 80 pharmacies, with the aim of refining operational processes.

With the software, the pharma retailer also seeks to provide its pharmacies with better visibility across the end-to-end supply chain and balance its inventory throughout the network to deliver maximum availability.

The initiative also aims to minimise supply chain costs, reducing the risk of overstocking and wastage, and improve supply chain efficiency and responsiveness.

Lloyds Pharmacy provides a range of services including essential medicines, vitamins and supplements, skin, beauty and bath products.

Lloyds Pharmacy chief executive, Jan-Pieter Hallema, emphasised the initiative seeks to improve patient care.

“As an essential part of local communities, we strive to offer our patients and their families the very best support for all their health and wellbeing needs,” he said. “Our supply chain, therefore, plays a pivotal role in helping us deliver exceptional patient care and a superior customer experience.

“The new platform will allow our pharmacy teams to dedicate more time to what matters most: supporting the local communities we serve.”

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