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ATLANTA — KNAPP continues to take retail pharmacy in new directions when it comes to technology solutions. “The use of automation and robotics is streamlining routine tasks, allowing pharmacists to focus on more complex responsibilities. In KNAPP’s over 25 years of North American automated pharmacy experience, the current movement into automation has proven the strongest,” said Brian Sullivan, principal in Pharmacy Solutions at KNAPP. “This is in large part because of the dynamics of the current labor markets and reimbursement challenges. KNAPP’s challenge has been to make sure that the automation we provide is uniquely adding value where others could not provide this before. This includes reducing staffing requirements more than previously possible and providing deep analytics and predictive guidance with a level of granularity to optimize maintenance and support of the system,” he added.
He noted that there is an expansion of clinical services. “Pharmacies are expanding their range of clinical services, including immunizations and health screenings, to meet evolving patient needs. Our Mission Zero Touch approach has been driving KNAPP’s philosophy here.
He noted that KNAPP’s products and technologies that are making a substantial impact in retail pharmacy include:
• KNAPP’s A-3000: This system provides automated storage and retrieval of medications in the retail pharmacy. “Our systems speed put-away of wholesaler medications as well as orders received from the central fill pharmacy. Stock bottles are dispensed automatically to technicians, reducing steps for pickup and put-away and always making sure that only one bottle of any NDC is open and it is the First to Expire. The same system dispenses will-call orders to technicians automatically and to our 24/7 terminals during and after pharmacy hours.”
• Automated Tablet Dispensers (ATDs): Sullivan says these systems streamline the dispensing process of tablets and capsules at central fill, improving accuracy and efficiency. “Still the most durable and accurate dispensing system available, the fifth generation of this technology is now all electric, reducing the impact of irregular air supply at pharmacies. Maintenance, calibration and replenishment all have been improved through new mechanical and firmware modifications.”
• KMeD (KNAPP Medication Dispenser): The third-generation KMeD allows pharmacies to automate even deeper, reducing staffing requirements at central fill and overall costs at retail.
• KNAPP-Store: The automated put-away and retrieval of medications in a logical way with FEFO dispense that marries up with KNAPP’s Pack2Patient labeling, verification and packing systems means that KNAPP is able to provide the most automated solution possible for units of use from put-away to order sort.
• KiSoft One Pharmacy Execution System Software: This comprehensive software suite integrates various pharmacy operations, from inventory management to order fulfillment and along with SCADA and Analytics modules, gives the pharmacy more controls and predictive guidance to optimize their operations.
