Share of £32m AI funding to speed up prescription deliveries

A project to improve the efficiency of NHS prescription deliveries using AI algorithms is to receive a share of £32 million in UK government funding committed to AI projects.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, announced the funding in a press release on 7 August 2024, adding that pharmacies that deliver prescriptions across the country will benefit from financial support as “part of the government’s mission to build an NHS which is fit for the future”.

Nottingham-based Anteam will work alongside retailers and the NHS to improve the efficiency of prescription deliveries using AI algorithms.

The technology is planned to match the delivery needs of retailers and hospitals to existing delivery journeys, with the aim of “unlocking under-utilised capacity, cutting carbon emissions and delivering a better experience for patients,” the press release said.

Anteam posted on LinkedIn: “We are delighted to announce that Anteam has been featured in GOV.UK news.

“This recognition underscores our excellence in AI and the significant strides we have made in the application of the technology to create a sustainable logistics future. We are honored (sic) to be acknowledged by such a reputable source”.

Feryal Clark, minister for digital government and AI said: “AI will deliver real change for working people across the UK – not only growing our economy but improving our public services.

“That’s why our support for initiatives like this will be so crucial – backing a range of projects which could reduce train delays, give us new ways of maintaining our vital infrastructure, and improve experiences for patients by making it easier to get their prescriptions to them.

“We want technology to boost growth and deliver change right across the board, and I’m confident projects like these will help us realise that ambition.”

Almost 100 projects have been awarded financial backing from the government in a bid to boost productivity and kickstart growth across the economy through AI.

A survey published by think tank the Health Foundation, published on 31 July 2024, revealed that more than three quarters of NHS staff support the use of AI to help with patient care.

On 26 July 2026, Peter Kyle, science secretary announced the appointment of Matt Clifford, tech entrepreneur and chair of Advanced Research and Invention Agency, to lead work on an ‘action plan’ to identify how AI can drive economic growth and deliver better outcomes for people in the UK.

However healthcare leaders raised concerns in August 2024 that government plans to shelve £1.3 billion of funding for AI and tech, could make it more difficult to use AI for health and care.