ATLANTA — KNAPP is taking 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. At KNAPP, we continue to see automation taking out the lower-value touches to open up higher-value tasks for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians,” says Brian Sullivan, principal in pharmacy solutions for North America at KNAPP.
“In our central fill pharmacies, we have automated to a very high level, minimizing the staffing requirements and the cost per script for the retail pharmacies that we support. Another predominant trend is the use of more granular software like our KiSoft Pharmacy Execution System (PES), which provides pharmacies with greater insights. This includes broad visualization of inventory tracking, detailed SCADA data to improve preventative maintenance and support, and multi-site control centers that offer predictive guidance for our pharmacy customers,” he adds.
Sullivan says that automation has become a critical component for survival in the pharmacy industry. “Staffing challenges continue to haunt the industry, and rising staffing and facilities costs, along with compliance requirements of DSCSA, all take their toll on the bottom line. By automating these tasks, KNAPP helps make an unprofitable business viable again.”
He points out that KNAPP’s Automated Tablet Dispensers (ATDs) and KNAPP Medication Dispensers (KMeD) allow their central fill pharmacies to dispense, verify, pack, and sort to stores with almost no human interaction required. “Similarly, our KNAPP-Store and Pack2Patient technologies automate the complete handling and verification of the units of use. This technology provides more accuracy, greater real-time information and reduced staffing requirements in the pharmacy,”
When asked where do you see retail pharmacy in the next five years? Sullivan comments, “We see the current trends towards higher-level clinical tasks accelerating. This will provide easier access for patients to medical support where and when they need it, through pharmacists working at the top of their license. This, in turn, will ease the strain caused by physician shortages and improve the overall health of our patients and customers. Much of this will be driven by even more automation of lower-valued tasks.”
