There are clearly benefits to be found from using automation and technology particularly within hospital medicines management. These benefits could unlock gains in productivity, improve patient safety and free up pharmacist time to work more directly with patients. There are pockets of excellent practice across the NHS, but, outside of formal programmes like the Global Digital Exemplar programme, this is often driven by innovation from key individuals in pharmacy departments and can lack more senior support. To ensure equal access to high quality care, and in the context of the ongoing New Hospitals Programme, NHS England needs to have a more strategic view for how medicines are managed in hospitals across the country.