Key takeaways from pharmacy technology manufacturers exhibiting at The Pharmacy Show 2023

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The Pharmacy Show 2023 was the 16th outing of this popular show for community pharmacists. The event took place at the Birmingham NEC on the 15th and 16th of October. It brought together over 300 exhibitors and hundreds of hours of live exhibition content delivered by world-class speakers.

Veritek provides installation, maintenance and repair services on behalf of pharmacy robotics and automated dispensing technology OEMs. Therefore, we attended to meet OEMs, transforming the sector with pharmacy automation delivering efficiency and precision, from streamlining medication dispensing to reducing human error and ensuring accurate dosage.

Here’s a recap of some of the key insights and highlights from manufacturers showcasing their pharmacy automation technology at the event:

Why small pharmacies want to improve workflow efficiency with automation: A BD Rowa Insight

Bojana Vukelic, Marketing Manager at BD Rowa, emphasised the versatility of their pharmacy robotics and automated dispensing technology, including hub and spoke solutions catering to both small and large pharmacies. She explained the trend toward automation is evident, with smaller pharmacies also looking to embrace automation to enhance efficiency and provide more patient-facing services.

“Small pharmacists have busier staff than bigger ones. Automation gives them an additional colleague and time to do what they are trained to do,” said Bojana. “To spend face-to-face time with patients and consult. Automation takes away warehousing and back-office parts to their jobs.”

How automation empowers pharmacists to offer extra services by saving time: A Centred Solutions Insight

Centred Solutions showcased the company’s hub and spoke technologies, including their FlowRxHub pharmacy robot. Exhibitor Shelley Dyer attributed the growing demand for automation to increased workload and the need for pharmacists to provide additional services, such as flu vaccinations.

“Pharmacy dispensing is a logistic and admin-heavy job, often with high volumes,” said Shelly. “The push for pharmacists to deliver more and more services, such as flu jabs, means the time is right for automation.”

How pharmacy automation provides security and convenience for patients and pharmacists: A MedPoint Insight

On the MedPoint Stand, Ross Gardiner, Project Lead at MedPoint and Marketing and ERP Manager Kirsti Clifford, demonstrated their 24/7 prescription collection unit. The MedPoint works with pharmacies to ensure accessibility outside regular hours. The technology offers convenience for patients and saves pharmacists an average of 55+ hours, which they can redirect towards essential services like counselling and administering flu jabs.

“MedPoint is co-owned by Kevin Murphy, a Superintendent Pharmacist who designed the MedPoint with processes and ease of use in mind. For him, accuracy and security are the priority,” said Ross. “The unique, fully automated scanning system means loading prescriptions is easy and efficient. Safety has been dramatically improved by virtually eliminating the chance of human error from hand-held scanning by staff. Beyond that, an eight-digit unique pin number is sent by automated text, making it virtually impossible for anybody to access anyone else’s prescription”

Kirsti added, “For the patient, a MedPoint allows them to better manage their own medication and prescription collection, not have to rely on pharmacy opening hours, thereby improving patient experience.”

Why space needn’t be an issue when automating: A Meditech Perspective

Stephane Courcelle, Project Manager at Meditech, demonstrated robots that maximise space and simultaneously manage multiple packages of various sizes.

“This is the first time we’ve exhibited at this show,” said Stephane. “We’ve made good contacts and will be back.”

Adoption of pharmacy automation technology across Europe: Willach provides insights

Sales Director Georg Frosch from Willach, based in Germany, discussed the differences between the German and UK pharmacy robot and automated dispensing markets. In the UK, there’s a notable interest in handling generic packs, while in Germany, blister card robots are more established.

“In German shows, we see a 60% interest in the blister machine and a 40% in our dispensing machine. Here in the UK, it is the other way around,” said Georg. “We are at The Pharmacy Show because we have a good customer base in the UK. Yesterday was incredibly busy, and we made good contacts.”

How Pharmacy Automation Generates ROI: Insights from the Technology Theatre

Among the expert-led technology learning sessions, Pharmathek outlined the value for money that pharmacy robotics and automated medication dispensing technologies provide:

• Pharmathek’s solutions have an average lifespan of 10 years
• Assuming they work 40 hours a week (In reality, they can work 24/7)
• Pharmathek’s Sintesi product costs ￡4.80 an hour
• It can free up 25 hours a week (100 hours per month) for healthcare teams to focus on other areas of the pharmacy

Veritek’s key takeaways from The Pharmacy Show 2023

“Pharmacies play a crucial role in supporting the NHS, which means there is an increasing need for automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, traceability, and speed,” said Veritek Business Development Manager Paddy Collins. “An ageing population and the expectation of rising prescription volumes drive this demand.”

Networking and Collaboration

Paddy Collins added, “I appreciated and enjoyed the networking event on day one of the show. It allowed professionals to connect, discuss potential collaborations, and share insights in a relaxed setting.”

To sum up

In an era of increasing demand for pharmaceutical services, The Pharmacy Show 2023 provided an essential platform for pharmacy robotics and automated medication dispensing technology companies to demonstrate innovations enabling pharmacies to meet patient needs accurately, securely, and promptly while adhering to strict regulatory standards.

Indeed, many exhibitors we spoke to noted the growing interest and demand for these technologies and how they’re fast becoming indispensable for modern healthcare delivery.

The event was busy throughout its duration, and every exhibitor we spoke to told us it facilitated meaningful conversations and connections. For this reason, we’re looking forward to and will be back next year.

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