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The British public places a higher level of trust in community pharmacies than most other European countries, a continent-wide survey has revealed.

The finding comes in the latest annual health report from pharma company Stada, which surveyed over 27,000 individuals from 22 countries in March and April this year, including 2,001 UK adults.

Sixty-nine per cent of UK respondents said they trust their local pharmacist, just behind Belgium and Ireland (68 per cent) in joint first place and significantly higher than the survey average of 58 per cent.

The figure was even higher for Britons aged 70 and above, 78 per cent of whom were confident in their local pharmacies compared to 60 per cent of people aged 18–24.

The convenient availability of medical products was a top reason for trusting pharmacies (36 per cent of UK respondents), as was advice on taking medicines safely and navigating side effects (38 per cent).

But while 22 per cent of UK respondents said they see visiting their pharmacy as a way to support local businesses, 11 per cent said they never go to a brick-and-mortar pharmacy – more than double the survey average of five per cent.

No love for AI consultations

The survey also indicates that Britons are sceptical about the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, with 61 per cent saying they “don’t trust AI to deliver accurate or safe medical advice.”

This was partly due to concerns around privacy and how data is stored, with 24 per cent describing this as a “major barrier” compared to 16 per cent of total respondents.

Eastern European countries were among the most open to using AI consultations instead of seeing a doctor, with 46 per cent of Romanians and 44 per cent of Serbians expressing an openness to the idea.

Commenting on the report, Stada chief executive Peter Goldschmidt said health systems “stand to be transformed by the advent and implementation of AI,” which he claimed will “bring a mix of hope and hesitation.”

Mr Goldschmidt added: “Although it will enrich research access, diagnoses and treatment, it is fair to say that Europeans still trust a familiar face more than any machine.

This is reflected in the enduring trust people place in pharmacists, doctors and other actors in the healthcare system.

Harnessing AI’s astounding abilities to improve people’s lives and relieve overburdened healthcare systems is one of the great opportunities of our time.”