You need to be precise when managing large patient data and attending to each person's medical requirements. It is crucial for pharmacists and healthcare CTOs to constantly expand their networks and strive to provide excellent patient care. Profits come in naturally when everything is done correctly. This is where pharmacy automation comes into play.  

Yes, pharmacy automation is not a novel idea. However, advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other fields have given it a forward-thinking outlook. Excel sheets and other electronic data are not the only tools that pharmacies and healthcare networks like yours may use to improve management.  

How does a modern automated pharmacy look? Why should you make use of it? Does it even slightly affect your growth? Now let's examine the responses to each of these queries.       

How Does Automation In Pharmacy Work?  

Time is saved and accuracy is guaranteed when repetitive processes like data handling, medication inventory management, and drug distribution are automated with technology. Pharmacy automation systems offer a single point of contact for hundreds of routine jobs. The most profitable part of this, though, is that machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) enable improved decision-making, data analytics, and record-keeping.  

Let's look at the several elements of pharmacy management that are adaptable to automation. 

1. Data Management 

Automation aids in the maintenance of intelligent records when it comes to tracking and managing customer orders and medication specifics. Furthermore, full-featured dashboards that enable you to view and manage orders, prescriptions, inventory information, and patient details in one location are provided by pharmacy automation systems.  

Compared to pen-and-paper records, this is far easier and much more accurate. Furthermore, it's simpler to keep track of the supply of prescription medications, saving patients from having to purchase inferior products. 

2. Packaging and Labeling 

Medication packaging and labeling are necessary yet tedious jobs. Even though this is a delicate subject, mistakes are less likely to occur when packaging and labeling are automated. It also lessens the possibility of contamination during packing. 

Work becomes more sophisticated and easier when packing and labeling devices are connected to the pharmacy data management system. Printing patient names, medication information, dose, and even an emergency number on the pharmaceutical delivery packaging is a dependable and hassle-free method. 

3. Medicine Compounding 

If you are a licensed pharmacist, you should be aware that compounding medications is required for various kinds of ailments. There are numerous compounding rules to follow, even when you require a different medication than what pharmaceutical companies originally developed.  

Pharmacy automation streamlines the process of compounding medications by integrating software, robotics, and machines into a comprehensive system. By doing so, mistakes and contamination are avoided and a sterile atmosphere is maintained throughout.  

4. Drug Storage and Dispensing  

Pharmacy automation solutions contribute to more dependable medication storage and delivery, even though most of this is done by hand. While automated pharmacy dispensing systems can assist you in keeping track of expiration dates, dispensed inventories, consumers, etc., you also have the option of using machines to place medications in the proper spot without errors and contamination. 

The database updates itself at each stage of the medication procurement, compounding, labeling, storage, and dispensing process. This provides the greatest care for patients while enabling the most effective use of medications that have been kept for a variety of ailments.   

The Pharmacy automation market is valued at USD 4,697.67 million as of 2023. It is expected to reach USD 6,983.16 million by 2028 at a CAGR of 7.80%. 

Pharmacies like yours are consciously stepping toward a tech-powered future; you can too!  

5 Key Benefits Of Automation In Pharmacy  

In expanding and future-proofing pharmacies, most of our clients insist on understanding the direct and indirect benefits of software. Certainly, this helps informed decision-making regarding investments and takes your attention to all possibilities for improvement. Therefore, here are some core benefits of Pharmacy automation systems.  

1. Better Operational Speed and Accuracy  

Compared to human accuracy, pharmacy automation ensures quick and precise handling of items. With error tracking, less contamination, and exact weighing for storage or distribution, it provides prompt access to the appropriate drug.

Consider the lengthy, demanding workdays at a drugstore. Fatigue can cause errors with severe consequences. There have been significant issues that have put pharmacists and drugstore proprietors in danger. Prescribing or dispensing errors cause 7,000–9,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. 

Pharmacy automation systems, with the rare exception of when service is required, minimize that risk by completing tasks without error, preserving precision and consistency, and guaranteeing the correct outcomes each and every time. 

2. Real-time Inventory Tracking 

There's definitely not much time to waste looking through shelves or estimating stock levels. A well-designed pharmacy automation system ensures availability, saves time and money, and tracks every medication in real-time so you can say goodbye to theft, stockouts, and expired medications. 

All information, including sales, dates, expiration, recommended dose, and client information, is stored by this software. You can easily handle inventories at several sites while offering patients dependable services.  

3. Reduce Workload and Labor Costs 

Automation improves team skills by moving them from routine to valuable duties. Well-planned pharmacy automation systems let doctors focus on patient care and business growth including medication synchronization, star ratings, and consultative sales.

You may streamline operations to provide workers more time for patients and strategy. Thus, your pharmacy can handle more complicated tasks without overtime or hiring. 

Pharmacy automation reduced workloads by 25% and saved Walgreens, the second-largest American pharmacy business, over $1 billion yearly. 

Increased patient care, consultations, and profit-generating activities like patient education and vaccines boost productivity and reduce operational expenses, improving revenue and profit margins. 

4. Improves Engagement and Patient Care 

By automating administrative procedures, pharmacy automation frees up vital time to concentrate on improving patient care. It facilitates deeper conversations about health and wellbeing, problem-solving, and meaningful engagement with patients. 

Prescription automation and other tech-enabled services enable accurate patient care around-the-clock, increasing your dependability. Prescriptions and essential medical care are easily accessible to patients, which keeps them happy and benefits your customers. 

5. Data Security and Confidentiality 

Security for patient data and medication handling is ensured by a number of laws and regulations. Similar to automated prescription fulfillment, pharmacy automation easily complies with these regulations. 

Customers are reassured about their health and the security of their data as a result, and procedures are streamlined, improving security. Pharmacy management can rely on automation to stop drug or consumer data misuse.    

Build a Pharmacy Automation System 

In order to propel your pharmacy's growth, collaboration with the latest technologies is essential. An automated pharmacy will open doors for you in terms of development, growth, and proficiency while guaranteeing patients receive pertinent medical care and efficient administration. But carrying out these goals to meet their requirements calls for a trustworthy development partner.

Want to build a pharmacy management software or need assistance with an existing one? We’re here to help!

Source: Automated Pharmacy