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LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Kirby Lester LLC’s KL60 compact robotic dispenser has been selected as the exclusive pharmacy automation solution for Tri State Distribution’s TriMaxx three-sided container/closure/label system.
Kirby Lester said that although traditional, round prescription vials are commonly automated by pharmacy robots, the TriMaxx’s triangular shape had posed an engineering challenge. But now Tri State customers can automate two sizes — 75cc and 120cc — in the Kirby Lester KL60.
The pharmacy automation provider added that the KL60 can apply one, two or three printed and patient-specific information panels on the container. Each labeled, counted and collated prescription takes 25 to 30 seconds to complete.
"We are very pleased to provide robotic automation for this very unique container," stated Kirby Lester president and chief executive officer Garry Zage. "With the expanded label space and easy-to-read flat panels, I am confident pharmacies will experience an increase in patient compliance."
The companies noted that both products have brought innovations to the pharmacy industry. Introduced in late 2009, the compact KL60 is one-half to one-third of the cost and size of other robots, and it automates 35% to 40% or more of a retail pharmacy’s total prescriptions, according to Kirby Lester.
Tri State’s TriMaxx, meanwhile, provides more space for dosage, refill and warning information than a traditional round prescription drug container. The flat-panel design enables patients to read the instructions without having to rotate the container. Also, a larger font size can be used, and the third panel can be used as a "personal billboard" for custom messages to the patient taking the medication.
"We are very excited to be working with Kirby Lester on this project. They have stepped up and invested their time and money to develop an affordable, compact machine that is designed specifically to use our patented TriMaxx container/closure/label system," commented Joe Miceli, president of Tri State Distribution. "When you combine Kirby Lester’s recognized industry-leading experience in pharmacy counting machines and the proven performance of the KL60 platform, along with the myriad advantages of the most sustainable and adaptable prescription dispensing system on the market today, you have an unbeatable combination in terms of both bottom-line savings and top-line enhancement."
