Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Malaysian Pharmacists Regarding AI Adoption: Cross-Sectional Study

AI is increasingly integrated into health care systems worldwide, with growing implications for pharmacy practice. Although studies have reported general perceptions of AI, gaps between awareness and practical implementation remain evident, particularly in middle-income settings.

This study aimed to assess the baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Malaysian pharmacists regarding AI adoption in pharmacy practice and identify factors associated with these domains.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire distributed to registered pharmacists practicing in Malaysia. The instrument comprised 12 knowledge items, 10 attitude items, and 5 practice items and underwent expert review and pilot testing. KAP scores were categorized using Bloom cutoff points as good (80%-100%), moderate (60%-79%), or poor (<60%). Data were analyzed using R statistical software.

A total of 407 pharmacists completed the survey. The median knowledge score was 75 (IQR 67-92), with 42.3% (172/407) of pharmacists demonstrating good knowledge. The median attitude score was 82 (IQR 76-94), and 64.6% (263/407) of pharmacists exhibited positive attitudes toward AI. However, the median practice score was 56 (IQR 44-68), with 54.3% (221/407) of pharmacists classified as having poor AI use in practice. Statistically significant but weak positive correlations were observed among the 3 domains. Pharmacists with postgraduate qualifications demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores (P=.01).

Malaysian pharmacists demonstrated moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward AI. However, the practical integration of AI into routine pharmacy workflows remained limited. Strengthening institutional support, structured training, and implementation frameworks may be necessary to translate perceived readiness into clinical adoption.