Counter Talk

The Inevitable Future of Pharmacy Automation

The benefits of technology that improve overall pharmacy operations are ‘undeniably overwhelming’

By Cedrick Hall

Cedrick Hall, customer success manager, Parata Systems

The last year and a half brought about an incredible opportunity for pharmacies to demonstrate their immense value as accessible and reliable care providers. Concurrently, the average American now takes four daily prescription medications (not including OTC), and this growing utilization combined with the pandemic has resulted in heightened demand on pharmacy staff. Increased wait times, reduction of inventory, supply chain complications and the increased potential for errors to occur has a simple solution — pharmacy automation.

The thought of this tech in the pharmacy likely sends mixed emotions throughout the industry. For some, it could be part of the business plan from the beginning. Others may see it as an option for retail giants or hospitals. Yet, no matter the perception of automation, the benefits are undeniably overwhelming. The question for some may be, “Will automation even impact my pharmacy?” I believe the question that should be asked is, “Can I afford not to automate my pharmacy operations?”

Efficiency

When an increase in demand begins at a pharmacy, the initial thought may be to add staff. For most pharmacies, it’s just not that simple. Most states regulate pharmacist to technician ratios, meaning pharmacists are limited to how many technicians can assist them in the preparation of prescriptions. In order to add staff, the first staff member would probably resort to adding a pharmacist versus a technician, since they would otherwise be over ratio. The introduction of automation would circumvent this challenge and allow for growth while freeing up budget for increased technician wages and reducing the need to work in close quarters.

Achieving the optimal intersection of speed and competency in pharmacy operations can make or break day-to-day workflow. With phones ringing, patients waiting and lines wrapped around the store, getting customers in and out as fast and efficiently as possible is the goal. Automation technology can rapidly dispense and fill prescriptions in the background, which allows staff members to provide valuable in-person time to customers. Robots cannot greet with a smile or consult with customers. Allowing automation to complete tedious tasks more quickly and with more accuracy puts muchneeded humanity back in pharmacy.

Pharmacy Inventory

Inventory management is a key factor in pharmacy success. Drug purchases are by far the largest expense of any pharmacy. Having the ability to control inventory on a macro level would yield tremendous dividends for local decision makers. Pharmacy automation allows for inventory control and predictability. This is the result of built-in tracking technology inside most robots. The ability to run reports from a range of past dispenses and track trends helps pharmacies recognize dead stock and create a more cost-effective supply chain.

Accuracy

In pharmacy, while the reality may be tough to digest — mistakes do happen. There are many factors that go into when and why an error can occur in dispensing. Staff fatigue, distractions and stress are just a few of the litany of causes. The addition of pharmacy automation reduces these risks significantly. The act of pulling the right medication, counting the right number of doses and labeling the product can all be eliminated from human responsibility. Robots can produce repetitively and accurately. Most pharmacy automation comes with cameras for post-dispensing verification. These types of features add to the confidence in assuring that the right drug is going to the right place.

Pharmacy automation should be viewed as the benefit that it is. As with all robotics, care is needed for them to be as impactful as possible. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start thinking about taking the work out of your workflows and start procuring the benefits that allow pharmacists and technicians to be providers instead of assembly line workers. Doing so is the best outcome for staff and customers alike. dsn

Card Shark

Designer Greetings looks to bring value and quality cards to its customers

Greeting cards are still a thriving category. Even as email gave way to text messages, and they both gave way to FaceTime and Zoom calls, the physical greeting card remains a popular way to share sentiments — and a big opportunity for retailers, particularly independent pharmacies looking to provide the segment at a value and drive foot traffic. Drug Store News spoke with Steven Gimbelman, president and CEO of Designer Greetings, to learn how the company helps its customers create a destination in their stores.

Drug Store News: Can you give us some background on Designer Greetings? Steven Gimbelman: Designer Greetings was founded in 1982 by my parents, Jack and Vickie Gimbelman. My father spent many years in the greeting card industry and saw an opportunity to start up his own business. From our humble beginnings of having only five employees to today with many key acquisitions, such as Card$mart, Glitterwrap, Madison Park Greetings, Northern Exposure and Palm Press, we remain true to our strong core values as a family-owned and operated company.

DSN: What sets Designer Greetings apart from other card companies? SG: The strength of Designer Greetings is that we offer more than 23,000 everyday and seasonal greeting cards, in addition to our boxed and packaged note cards, boxed holiday cards and gift wrap line (Glitterwrap). We offer a variety of programs that are designed specifically to help independent pharmacies increase sales. The Card$mart Store-In-A-Store program — selling cards at 50% off every day — is a proven traffic driver for independent and small chain retailers. This program outvalues the regular-priced cards that are found in CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. Card$mart

Steven Gimbelman, president and CEO, Designer Greetings

“Even though the cost to the consumer is half the retail price, Card$mart greeting cards do not sacrifice on quality.”

also provides a Preferred Giftware Vendor Program, which is an exclusive benefit to the retailer, whereby the store owner gains access to top gift vendors across multiple gift categories.

DSN: How does Designer Greetings build and maintain relationships with its customers? SG: Designer Greetings is just as committed to the high quality and value of our products as we are to being a leader in customer support. We have a dedicated and experienced nationwide sales team that helps find the program that best suits each location to maximize greeting card sales, creating happy retailers and consumers alike. We are able to successfully serve the customers of today’s marketplace by consistently calling on and servicing our retailers, ensuring optimal product selection, a well-balanced pricing model, caption differentiation and presentation.

DSN: What are some of the biggest opportunities for independent pharmacies in the greeting card space? SG: Designer Greetings’ Card$mart program outvalues the national drug chains by offering a “50% Off” greeting card program. The three national drug chains sell their cards at full price — a price that is only continuing to rise. Even though the cost to the customer is half the retail price, Card$mart greeting cards do not sacrifice on quality. Having such a nationally recognized value brand as Card$mart not only entices customers to view the location as a destination store, but it also helps to attract new customers seeking to purchase highquality products at a super value. Consumers are starting to come back to their brick-andmortar stores once again, and this unique shopping experience offers buyers multiple options within a single pharmacy.

DSN: What are some new offerings from your lines that you want people to know about? SG: Designer Greetings is always updating existing product with fresh, new designs to stay up to date with the latest trends. We recently refreshed many of our popular card lines, from the topical humor of “A Little Salty” to the high-end collection found in “Premier Boutique.” In the near future, we will be adding three-dimensional pop-up features and other unique treatments to select cards that promise to provide an even more memorable and extra-special way to celebrate all of life’s occasions. And in addition to greeting cards, Designer Greetings now produces a stationery line of journals and planners. dsn