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IRVING, Texas — Retail pharmacy is experiencing a shift toward automation and efficiency to address rising prescription volumes and store closures. McKesson’s CountAssist and BlistAssist are prime examples of modular, scalable technology that helps pharmacies manage increased demand. McKesson is also advancing central fill centers with BlistMED to streamline high-volume prescription handling, which reduces local pharmacy burden and allows for seamless scalability, all while prioritizing patient-centric care and operational efficiency.
“Retail pharmacy closures are placing increased demand on remaining pharmacies,” says Kevin Cloutier, vice president and general manager of McKesson Pharmacy Automation. “With closures leaving certain areas underserved, remaining pharmacies are tasked with managing rising prescription volumes. CountAssist’s automated counting capabilities help pharmacies maintain high efficiency, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring accuracy with every count. Automating such tasks allows pharmacies to handle increased demand without compromising quality.”
Cloutier says that modular, scalable automation allows for managing higher demand. “CountAssist’s modular design and small footprint provides pharmacies with the flexibility to expand their automation solutions as needed, accommodating fluctuations in prescription volume without a full system replacement. This adaptability is invaluable for pharmacies that must scale their operations in response to demand changes. CountAssist’s small footprint also allows it to easily fit into even the smallest of pharmacies.”
He says there is a shifting focus to personalized, patient-centric care. As pharmacies dedicate more time to patient engagement, BlistAssist and BlistMED support this shift by streamlining multi-dose blister packaging. These efficient medication management solutions free up staff time, enabling pharmacists to focus on providing personalized care while improving medication adherence and patient outcomes.
“Central fill and medication adherence require support. Central fill centers are increasingly valuable for absorbing high prescription volumes and supporting personalized medication management. BlistMED offers centralized blister packaging that helps pharmacies manage multi-dose packaging at scale, maintaining accuracy and efficiency in bulk dispensing. BlistAssist complements this by allowing pharmacies to handle packaging in-house when needed, adding flexibility for individualized care plans,” he explains.
He adds that McKesson’s BlistAssist and BlistMED play crucial roles in supporting medication adherence through easy to manage, multi-dose blister packaging solutions. These tools ensure patients receive the right doses at the right times, improving adherence and simplifying complex medication regimens.
Centralized packaging options, such as those provided by BlistMED, also allow for consistent, accurate and scalable adherence support, particularly beneficial for patients managing multiple medications.
“McKesson’s automation solutions reduce pharmacists’ manual workload by handling repetitive tasks such as counting and packaging prescriptions. Just one CountAssist tower counts a pharmacy’s top 18 fastest moving oral solid medications, which typically make up 35% of countable prescriptions. Adding a second tower automates the top 36 medications, and so on up to a maximum of 10 CountAssist towers,” he notes.
Additionally, filling blister cards manually is time-intensive and requires extreme attention to detail to ensure each dose is accurately placed in the correct blister. The repetitive nature of manual filling can lead to fatigue, increasing the risk of errors. With BlistAssist and BlistMED, the automation streamlines this process, saving considerable labor hours while ensuring precise dosage and layout. BlistAssist also offers traceable verification for added accuracy, allowing pharmacists to rely on consistent quality control.
“By automating these time-consuming processes, McKesson’s technology enables pharmacists to focus on patient-facing services, including consultations, immunizations and medication management. This shift allows pharmacies to deliver a more personalized, patient-centered experience, enhancing the overall quality of care while improving workflow efficiency,” he concludes.
