There is a lot to consider when deciding if pharmacy automation is for you but when you have made the decision it’s time to dig a little deeper and really think about which type of pharmacy robot will deliver the patient benefits and return on investment that you want.
What do you want your pharmacy robot do?
In simple terms robots do what they are told i.e. what they are designed to do. They are amazing at it and far more efficient than humans. However, they are limited in their ability to adapt and do other things so you need to be sure what you expect from the start.
If you want a pharmacy robot that can handle the majority of your original pack dispensing then you will want a pack dispensing solution. This is often what most people think of as a pharmacy robot. They are modular and can be adapted to fit any size of pharmacy, benefit from a blend of speed and capacity and help with stock management. You can learn more here.
If however you want a pharmacy robot to purely focus on trays they you will want to consider a compliance aid robot. They offer compact physical footprints, rapid dispensing and are easy to check and administer. Of course you’ll want to decide whether to stick with a traditional tray style system such as our BlisterPack or move to a pouch based system like our PouchPack. Each have advantages and you should think about what serves your patients best. You can learn more here.
If you want a pharmacy robot that can centralise dispensing for a number of pharmacies, whether that is a pack dispensing robot or a compliance aid robot, then you will need to consider hub and spoke integration. These solutions can reduced risk and stockholding while freeing up staff and space for business development. You can learn more here.
What is the scope of your automation plans?
You can opt to invest in a pharmacy robot that does what it says and does it well. That is improving the speed, safety, accuracy, efficiency and profitability of your operation. All of our pharmacy robots do that.
However, you might want to think a little wider and consider the tasks that could be automated before dispensing and after dispensing. We support our clients with a range of automation enhancements, which really add to the benefits delivered by our robots.
De-blistering, automated loading, stockholding and accuracy checking are just a few of the enhancements available and often amplify return on investment significantly.
What is your timescale?
Every pharmacy automation project is different and comes with a fresh set of opportunities. As the pharmacy automation experts, Robotik Technology UK are very experienced in managing the installation process from day one to day done and we can pretty closely assess the expected duration of a project. Projects involving larger robots, and potentially pharmacy remodelling, will take longer than projects involving smaller robots that fit into available space. Learn more about pharmacy automation timescales.
How do you want to structure the investment?
You don’t have to find precious funds for your automation all at once. Pharmacy robots can be purchased outright but they can also be leased or rented. Learn more about pharmacy automation costs.
All at once or plan ahead?
Many people think that they need to realise their automation vision all at once. The scale and funding can often be a barrier in this case which is unnecessary. Many pharmacy robots are modular and lend themselves perfectly to being upgraded and expanded over time as they earn their keep and generate profits to fund the next stage.
Speak to the experts
We’ve shared why we think pharmacy automation is an investment in the future here. Take a look and feel free to browse our other articles that explore the world of pharmacy automation and pharmacy robotics.
Get in touch for an informal chat or to arrange a free demonstration at our state of the art facility at TechSpace One in Warrington, Cheshire.
