Key facts
- Europe's first fully autonomous parapharmacy has opened in Lisbon.
- The store uses cameras, sensors, and AI to operate without staff present.
- Customers pay at the entrance with a card, and purchases are automatically charged upon exiting.
- The technology has an error rate below 2%, with most errors attributed to human behavior.
- The parapharmacy offers a range of products excluding over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Lisbon has opened Europe's first fully autonomous parapharmacy, named Pharma&Go, which operates without any staff present. The store utilizes a sophisticated system of hundreds of cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence to monitor customers and products, enabling a seamless shopping experience. Customers validate their payment method at the entrance, and upon exiting, the products they have taken are automatically charged to their card. This setup eliminates queues and friction, allowing customers to shop at their own pace.
Pharmacist Catarina Dias, who runs Pharma&Go, explained that the aim is to free up pharmacists and professionals to focus on clinical and specialist duties, reducing the time spent on commercial tasks. She highlighted that the store offers convenience and practicality, allowing purchases at any time of day, any day of the week. The technology has an error rate below 2%, with most errors stemming from human behavior rather than the technology itself.
Since its opening in November, the parapharmacy has seen a consistent increase in customer numbers, with people gradually overcoming their initial apprehension towards the new technology. While initially targeting a younger demographic, the store has also attracted older customers who appreciate the ease of access and simple payment process. The 90-square-meter store, a collaboration between Sensei and Glintt Life, is privately funded and offers a wide range of products, excluding over-the-counter and prescription medications.