BS, Dietetics and Nutrition
Pharmacy automation can solve the inefficiencies of smaller 21st-century health facilities. Pharmaceutical professionals face increasing responsibilities because of health care consumerism, aging populations, the exponential growth of specialty medications and stricter regulations.
Larger hospitals and medical centers are no strangers to this technological solution. However, not all community, managed care and compounding pharmacies have adopted robots to help streamline pharmacy workflows. Learn where you can purchase reliable pharmacy automation systems and how to compare them properly.
How to Compare Pharmacy Automation Systems
When choosing pharmacy automation systems, consider use cases, user-friendliness, interoperability, scalability, support and financing.
Use Cases
Automation refers to machines designed to fully or partially carry out specific processes in pharmacy operations. The processes and services suitable for it are as follows:
- Storage
- Central fill
- Pill counting
- Vial filling
- Blister card filling
- Dispensing
- Compounding
- Packaging
- Labeling
- Will-call retrieval
Many vendors cater to specific health facilities. Some target retail pharmacies only, while others have a more diverse clientele.
Source hardware and software from a company that markets explicitly to your type of operation.
User-Friendliness
Every new technology comes with a learning curve, but it should address more challenges than it creates.
Choose pharmacy automation solutions that are painless to set up, have intuitive designs and require minimal training time.
Support
Reliable pharmacy automation vendors are reachable through various mediums when you need technical assistance. They also provide abundant self-help resources to answer basic questions and address simple tech problems independently.
Explore your prospective vendors’ support options to see how accessible they are if you need to speak with them.
Interoperability
Interoperable pharmacy automation technologies can seamlessly exchange information with each other and can be integrated with your existing software programs.
Finding vendor-neutral systems on the market can be challenging until a standardized communication protocol is in place. The world has just begun the process of creating such standards, but some developers are exploring ways to make their pharmacy automation solutions as interoperable as possible.
Buy automated equipment capable of interacting with sister products or technologies from other vendors and has a growing list of integrations to reduce data siloes.
Scalability
Scalable pharmacy automation solutions are worthwhile investments. They can grow with your business needs, allowing you to adapt to changes more effectively.
Select systems with room to accommodate more items or are easy to upgrade with little extra technical training required.
Lease Programs
Technological transformation can be costly. While automation-related hardware and software upgrades pay for themselves over time, the initial capital needed to acquire them can be high.
Work with a vendor offering lease options. Such a company conveniently reduces the need for a third-party loan to fund your purchase.
Where Can You Purchase Reliable Pharmacy Automation Systems? 3 Options
The number of pharmacy automation vendors is increasing, but some bring more value than others. These three options are your best bets.
1. Capsa Healthcare
Capsa Healthcare offers automated solutions designed to optimize pharmacy operations of various sizes. This Columbus, Ohio-headquartered company has made key acquisitions over the years — including Kirby Lester and RoboPharma — to solidify its position as a global leader in pharmacy automation.
Solutions
This health care workflow innovator is where you can purchase an extensive line of HIPAA-compliant, reliable pharmacy automation systems.
| Category | Model/Series | Description | Suited For |
| Pouch packaging | NexPak™ automated packaging systemNexPak in-facility automated packaging system for corrections | These machines can produce patient-specific punch cards and support multidose and unit-dose dispensing methods. They prepare packages on demand, daily, weekly and biweekly, and offer more delivery schedules for clients in the United States and Canada. | Institutional pharmaciesRetail pharmacies |
| Dispensing | NexsysADC™ automated dispensing cabinetNexsysADC 4T compact automated dispensing cabinetNexsysADC auxiliary cabinet | These advanced dispensers of high-value pharmacy supplies, such as e-kits and controlled meds, track all interactions for transparency and secure contents with tamper-evident technology for security. These machines are available in three models — including two preconfigured ones — to suit different care settings and budgets. | Behavioral health facilitiesCritical access hospitalsDental practicesEMS providersSenior living communitiesSimulation labs in nursing schoolsSurgery centersVeterinary clinics |
| Vial filling | KL108 vial dispensing robot | This vial filling and dispensing machine can manage dozens of common tablets and capsules through universal cassettes with no technician calibration needed. | Central fill pharmaciesHospital outpatient pharmaciesRetail pharmacies |
| Pill counting | KL1v tablet counterKL1Plus verification + counting system | These compact machines streamline narcotics management, prescription counting and more. They also support perpetual inventory, automatically updating records in real time. | Central fill pharmaciesHospital outpatient pharmaciesLong-term care pharmaciesMail order pharmaciesPharmaceutical packaging facilitiesPharmaceutical quality control testing laboratoriesRetail pharmaciesSpecialty pharmacies |
| Automated pharmacy will-call and Rx pickup system optimization | scripClip® automated pharmacy will-call systemScriptShelves organized Rx pickup systemRoboWall automated 24/7 Rx kiosk | These kiosks modernize prescription pickup stations in retail and hospital outpatient pharmacies. They make it easier to find orders, alert patients for retrieval and provide access to medications around the clock. Two models are available for international clients, and one is exclusive to those in the U.S. | Hospital outpatient pharmaciesMedical clinicsRetail pharmacies |
| Central fill system management | Tailored central fill pharmacy automation | This program orchestrates every central fill pharmacy workflow component — from Rx ordering to return shipping. It seamlessly integrates with different pieces of hardware, including automated unit-of-use dispensers, vision inspection systems, sorters and intelligent conveyors. | Central fill pharmaciesMail order pharmacies |
Scalability and Interoperability
Capsa products are highly scalable. Most hardware categories are available in different models to suit the unique needs of pharmacies and patients inside and outside the U.S.
For example, the NexPak automated packaging system edition for retail and institutional pharmacies has a universal bulk dispenser for handling medications that are not in canisters.
Regarding integrability, the company’s pharmacy automation solutions can communicate with existing tools health facilities use.
For instance, Capsa’s scripClip automated pharmacy will-call system works with the most popular pharmacy management systems U.S.-based businesses use, including Kroll, Liberty McKesson Canada, PioneerRx and QuickScrip.
Customer Support
Capsa takes customer support seriously. It provides training and publishes information-rich resources for public consumption, including white papers, product manuals, software downloads, case studies and client testimonials.
This vendor has dedicated hotlines for customer service and parts, service contracts, and Kirby Lester and RoboPharma users in the U.S. and Canada. International clients can also reach this vendor through email for technical assistance and parts orders.
Capsa’s straightforward request service allows you to schedule a technician visit regardless of whether you have your serial number.
Lease Programs
Capsa extends medical financing to clients worldwide. This vendor offers a leasing program to help you acquire hardware, software and after-sales services without large cash outlays, down payments and hidden fees.
The company’s multiple subscription options let you match your planned technology refresh cycle and lock in your rate to hedge against inflation. The repayment term can be customizable, allowing you to choose from fixed, deferred and step payments to suit your cash flow.
2. Parata
Parata is a pharmacy technology solutions developer and provider based in Durham, North Carolina. This award-winning company powers pharmacies of all sizes, including brands like C. O. Bigelow Apothecaries, Moose Pharmacy, Ascension, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Maury Regional Medical Center.
Solutions
Parata is where you can find and purchase one of the widest selections of reliable pharmacy automation systems on the market.
| Category | Model/Series | Description | Suited For |
| Adherence packaging | Parata PASS™ 36 Pouch PackagerParata PASS 208 Pouch PackagerParata PASS 300VP Pouch PackagerParata PASS Safe Loader®Parata PASS 576VP Variable Pouch PackagerATP™ 2 Pouch PackagerUniversal Lighted TrayParata InspectRx™ Pouch InspectorParata InspectRx with CollectorParata Perl™ Pouch InspectorParata Perl with Cut & RollParata XFParata ULTRAParata Assist | These well-thought-out pouch packaging, strip packaging inspection and collection, and blister card packaging machines simplify medication administration. You can choose from over a dozen systems to centralize inventory management and reduce workflow inefficiencies, errors, and verification times. | Correctional facilitiesGroup homesHome health agenciesHospital outpatient pharmaciesLong-term care pharmaciesMail order pharmaciesPhysicians and accountable care organizationsRetail pharmacies |
| Dispensing | Parata Max® Lite vial filling robotParata™ Max™ 2 vial filling robotParata Mini® automated dispenserBD Pyxis™ MedBank | These machines marry speed and efficiency with medication safety and accuracy. They are available in three models, giving you options to fit in your space and align with automation goals. | Long-term care pharmaciesOutpatient pharmacies |
| Pill counting | Parata AccuCount® 2 Scale | This high-capacity scale can store up to 500,000 drugs and help you compound prescriptions more quickly. It bears a Class II Scale certification, boasts Swiss weighing precision, and supports counting with or without scanning bar codes. | Compounding pharmacies |
| Central fill system management | Parata Complete™ central fill solution | This tailored solution improves workflow efficiency regardless of the central fill setup. It can minimize bottlenecks in dispensing, inventory management and shipping and generate insightful reports for analysis. | Central fill pharmacies |
| Controlled substance medication security | Parata IntelliVault™ controlled substance management system | This equipment tracks controlled substances and limits user access by role to lower the chances of discrepancies and avoid reputational damage. It isolates expired medications for destruction and keeps logs for audit. | Unspecified |
| Will-call system optimization | Parata IntelliCab will-call system | This machine brings order and efficiency to a chaotic pharmacy counter. It uses RFID technology to monitor meds for accuracy and patient safety throughout the prescription filling process. | Unspecified |
Scalability and Interoperability
Parata’s numerous models in every product line mean you can select an appropriate unit for your budget and operation’s size.
Unifying the company’s systems is simple because of Parata Stratus™. This centralized pharmacy automation platform gives you a 360-degree view of your business.
Parata’s Pivot® software platform has two versions — one for managing PASS packagers and one for integrating Max vial filling robots. Max machines also support more than 100 host systems.
Customer Support
Parata extends solution consulting to understand how your pharmacy works and offers sound advice on automating your operations.
The company assigns a dedicated project manager to guide you throughout the implementation process. You can reach Parata Technical Assistance Center engineers and specialists by calling a hotline or submitting a ticket.
This vendor’s Customer Community gives you access to abundant resources, including:
- Product documentation
- Reference drug calibrations database
- On-demand training
- Marketing tools
Lease Programs
Parata offers special leasing and financing opportunities at events. You may qualify for the Section 179 deduction to offset some of your initial investment regardless of how you acquire your Parata equipment.
3. RxSafe
RxSafe is a pharmacy automation brand under the Illinois Tool Works umbrella. The company is a sister company of Eyecon — a countertop pill counting and Rx validation solutions provider.
Solutions
RxSafe is where you can purchase reliable pharmacy automation systems to comply with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act and protect patients from counterfeit drugs and other dangerous pharmaceuticals.
| Category | Model/Series | Description | Suited For |
| Dispensing | RxSafe 1800® | This three-tower robot can hold up to 5,400 stock bottles in native packaging, securely storing and retrieving medications, including C-II drugs. RxSafe 1800 does item-level tracking and forecasting powered by Datarithm and perpetual inventory through RxCloud Analytics™. This device has an RxAWS™ auxiliary workstation to juggle concurrent tasks — such as inventory checking and prescription filling. | Retail pharmacies |
| Blister card filling | RapidCardRx™ | This automated adherence packaging tech has built-in vision inspection. RapidCardRx uses up to 40 universal cartridges designed to dispense solid medications, including clear gel caps. It is configurable to fill any multidose blister card format and can finish up to 40 multimed cards per hour. | Any pharmacy |
| Pouch packaging | RapidPakRx™ | This adherence strip packager shares RapidCardRx’s three-step machine vision verification system and capacity to hold up to 40 smart universal cartridges. RapidPakRx is compatible with the PakMyMeds® medication adherence strip packaging marketing solution. RxSafe claims that upgrading to this pharmacy’s automated system could complete up to 80 monthly jobs with one technician’s eight-hour shift. | Retail pharmacies |
| Pill counting | VisionRx™Eyecon® 9430 | VisionRx counts and verifies all solid drugs. This counter documents and records all relevant information. It then sends data over a secure network to PV2 pharmacists for a remote final check before releasing it for patient retrieval in a will-call system. Eyecon 9430 is a visual counting system with a 99.99% count accuracy rate. This advanced pill counter captures colored drug counts and vial and labeled vial images. It also triggers automatic visual warnings when something is off. | Unspecified |
Scalability and Interoperability
RxSafe products are compatible with almost all pharmacy management software solutions. They run DRI™ — a protocol engineered to enable data-rich interchange and generate a complete suite of reports for streamlining the retail pharmacy workflow.
Customer Support
This Vista, California-headquartered company customizes its patented American-made hardware and software to suit every pharmacy’s unique circumstances. RxSafe takes pride in delivering best-in-class training. Its technical support team is reachable via phone and email.
Lease Programs
It is unclear whether RxSafe offers leasing programs in-house. However, it has partnered with third parties like Advanced Financial Services to extend credit and provide leasing options to independently owned pharmacies.
Purchase Reliable Pharmacy Automation Systems Where You Get the Most Value
Capsa Healthcare, Parata and RxSafe spearhead pharmacy automation globally with robust, scalable and integrable solutions and thoughtful customer support. Study each vendor’s offerings to decide which makes the most sense for your operation.
