Pharmacist Automation! 

Now, hold on a second…before you start picturing a robot wearing a lab coat…let’s get one thing straight –> we’re not talking about robot pharmacists (at least not yet).

Instead, pharmacist automation refers to the integration of technology and automated processes into the pharmacy workflow.

Why? To streamline operations, improve patient outcomes, and address the ongoing workforce shortage in the pharmacy field.

As we dive deeper into this topic, we’ll explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of pharmacist automation, as well as the impact it may have on the current and future pharmacy workforce.

Pharmacy automation is a fast-growing segment. 

According to a new report, the industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.39% between 2023 and 2027.

This means that the market size will reach a value of US$1,435 bn by 2027.

This growth is partly due to the increase in many consumers taking daily prescriptions. 

A growing number of Americans are reporting taking prescription medications daily.

Actually…the number of adults who report taking at least one prescription medication per day is now 70%.

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Back in 2019, only 50% of adults took such prescription medication.

So, what does “pharmacist automation” exactly mean?

Some common examples of pharmacist automation include:

Pros and cons of automation in pharmacy

• Automated pharmacy management systems that keep all operations under the same roof (including medication dispensing, inventory tracking, and patient data management.)
• Automated patient data tracking systems that provide accurate and up-to-date patient information to pharmacists and other healthcare providers.
• Automatic billing and invoicing systems that reduce tedious procedures and minimize the risk of manual errors.
• Email and SMS automation systems that notify patients about their refills and provide them with important updates.
• Remote dispensing systems that enable pharmacists to dispense medication to patients in remote locations, such as rural areas or hospitals, without on-site pharmacies.
• Auto-refill systems that reduce the hassle of patients calling or texting to request refills.
• Automated inventory management systems that eliminate the need for time-consuming and costly manual processes.

How can pharmacist automation help ease the burden of a pharmacist shortage?

Pharmacist automation is a rapidly growing trend in the healthcare industry… and for good reason. 

It has the potential to significantly ease the burden of a pharmacist shortage and help pharmacists provide better care to their patients.

At least….alleviate some of the reasons of this shortage.

Especially since many pharmacists or pharmacy technicians feel like they’re overworked or doing “boring” manual work.

So, in this sense, pharmacists automation can streamline many of the routine tasks that pharmacists are responsible for.

Examples? Medication dispensing, inventory management, and patient data tracking. 

Moreover, automation can help to reduce the risk of medication errors, which is a significant concern in the pharmacy industry. 

By automating the dispensing process … for example… pharmacists can ensure that the right medication is dispensed in the correct dosage. 

This reduces the risk of adverse drug events and medication-related harm to patients.

In addition — automated reminders and notifications can also help patients stay on track with their medication regimens, reducing the risk of non-adherence.

One of the coolest things about pharmacist automation is the potential for it to make life easier for patients. 

Another key benefit of pharmacist automation is that it can help to address the ongoing shortage of pharmacists in many parts of the world. 

By automating routine tasks and leveraging technology to improve workflow efficiency, pharmacies can operate more effectively AND with fewer staff members. 

This can help to alleviate the burden on pharmacists and other healthcare providers… ultimately resulting in better patient outcomes.

However, it’s important to note that pharmacist automation is not a silver bullet solution to the pharmacist shortage. 

While it can certainly help to ease the burden on pharmacists, it CANNOT replace the specialized knowledge and expertise that pharmacists bring to patient care. 

To wrap it up!

At the end of the day, the goal of pharmacist automation should be to enhance the pharmacist-patient relationship rather than replace it. 

Automation CAN improve the efficiency of pharmacy operations. 

However, it’s still important for pharmacists to have the human touch and personal connection with patients that is so essential to providing high-quality care.

Also…it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons of automation in pharmacy before implementing any new systems. 

By doing so, pharmacies can maximize the benefits of automation while minimizing the potential drawbacks. 

Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that automated systems are properly maintained and that staff members are trained to use them effectively.