In some cases, the anime can move ahead of the manga. But for Apothecary Diaries, it depends on various factors like the production schedule and the creators' decisions.
It's not that straightforward. The ending point of the anime in the manga can vary depending on how the adaptation was done and what parts were chosen to be included or excluded.
The anime and light novel of Apothecary Diaries have several differences. In the anime, the visuals bring the story to life vividly, with beautiful character designs and detailed settings. However, the light novel often has more in - depth descriptions of the characters' inner thoughts and the world - building details. For example, in the light novel, we might get a more detailed account of Maomao's past experiences that shape her personality, which might be only hinted at in the anime through flashbacks or brief dialogues.