Pharmacy in Roquefort-les-Pins launches AI mole diagnostics

In August 2026 the Notre-Dame pharmacy in Roquefort-les-Pins (Alpes-Maritimes) launched a free pilot project: using the Skinive MD artificial intelligence and a dermatoscope pharmacists assess moles and skin lesions and, if necessary, refer the patient to a dermatologist.

Pilot project in Roquefort-les-Pins

The Notre-Dame pharmacy on route du Rouret in Roquefort-les-Pins is testing the Skinive MD technology. The service is free and allows people to quickly dispel doubts about whether they should consult a doctor about a mole or a skin lesion. The pharmacy owners, pharmacists Sandra and Éric Dora, have previously adopted innovations: in 2024 they installed a Medibox — a 24-hour vending machine with essential items.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, and its prognosis depends directly on the stage at detection. The ability to receive an initial assessment at the pharmacy without an appointment and free of charge simplifies a patient’s route to a specialist. How the region supports the fight against oncological diseases is covered in the piece on theses against glioblastoma funded by Monaco.

How the technology works

Skinive MD is a development by a Dutch company for professional use. The algorithm was trained on more than 3.5 million images of skin lesions analysed by dermatologists and recognises characteristic signs of lesions, offering a preliminary risk assessment.

At the pharmacy the AI is complemented by a dermatoscope — an optical device for detailed photography of skin structures, which increases the accuracy of the analysis. As specialists emphasise, only a doctor makes the final diagnosis; according to the developer, the algorithm continues to learn from new data.

Detect, assess, refer

«Our role is to detect, assess and refer. We do not replace the dermatologist; we complement them,» explain pharmacists Sandra and Éric Dora. Interest in the topic arose after one of the pharmacy’s close colleagues faced melanoma, and customers often asked to have suspicious spots checked.

Now such a consultation has become more accurate and remains free. For a region with strong sunlight, early detection of skin problems is especially important. Pharmacists remind people that a preliminary assessment does not replace regular check-ups with a dermatologist, especially for those in high-risk groups.

Where to go

The Notre-Dame pharmacy is located at route du Rouret, Roquefort-les-Pins, near Grasse, the largest town in the district. Phone: 04 93 77 50 48. The pre-assessment is carried out during the pharmacy’s opening hours; no special preparation is required. The pilot will last several months, after which its results will be evaluated.

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