CASE STUDY:
Simplifying life for patients through automation. McKesson Canada Automation makes it easier for patients to take their medications.
AT A GLANCE
CHALLENGES
Founded in 2021, Westbridge Pharmacy is an
Creating a modern pharmacy from the ground up
independently owned and operated
Avoiding manual, inefficient processes that lead to inaccuracies,
pharmacy in West Lethbridge, the fastest
overload and staff burnout
growing portion of the city in Alberta, Canada.
Attracting and capturing new business opportunities
It offers custom compounding, pouch
Helping patients manage their medications
packaged medications, and home health care products.
SOLUTIONS McKesson Canada Automation provides Proxim with: Efficient processes for increased productivity and faster, more accurate dispensing A competitive edge over nearby pharmacies Convenient pouch packaging solutions Specifically, Westbridge Pharmacy has invested into McKesson Canada Automation's PACMED machine for counting and packaging.
RESULTS
1
Creates business efficiencies, eliminating the need for additional staff
2
Reduces stress and enables on-time prescription processing and packaging with accuracy
3
Offers more personalized, customized care for patients, across a larger and diverse population
Founded in 2021, Westbridge Pharmacy is an independently owned and operated pharmacy in West Lethbridge, the fastest growing portion of the city in Alberta, Canada. It offers custom compounding, pouch packaged medications, and home health care products. Pharmacist Aaron Koegler had previously owned two pharmacies in Southern Alberta before turning his attention to the underserviced area that houses over 40,000 people. He saw an opportunity to offer patients what no other pharmacy in the region is offering—a more convenient way to take their medications—and he knew automation could empower him to do just that. “By making it easier for patients to manage their medications, they can remain in their own homes rather than having to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility because of their medication needs,” says Koegler. “Automation can simplify the process of getting the right medications in the right quantities, and at the right time, utilizing convenient pouch packaging.” McKesson Canada Automation solutions provide Westbridge a competitive advantage over other pharmacies in the area by empowering Koegler to provide unique services that help patients live healthier lives.
The Challenge: Designing a Pharmacy That Offers Customized Service and Convenience Creating a new pharmacy gave Koegler an opportunity to build from the ground up, getting ahead of challenges he had experienced at his previous pharmacies and as a relief pharmacist in the surrounding communities. “Years ago, the income from generic rebates allowed me more freedom to hire additional staff to keep up with workflow demands, but changes to billing and income streams, as well as growing competition, mean I no longer have that luxury,” says Koegler. “I need to maximize efficiency so that I can provide the services patients expect and the clinical support they deserve without incurring unmanageable expenses.”
Visit www.mckesson.ca for more information.
While Koegler’s previous pharmacies were not automated, he gained experience with automation while working as a relief pharmacist and helped a pharmacy he was working for incorporate automation into their business before opening Westbridge Pharmacy. “Following the departure of a staff pharmacist, the rural pharmacy was struggling to keep up, as the workload was more than a single pharmacist could handle” says Koegler. “I found an automated pill packing machine to help them and saw, almost immediately, what a huge load automation took off of them. It gave them more time with patients and prevented staff burnout that would have seriously impacted their business. I saw firsthand that automation is essential to a modern pharmacy and was glad that I had decided to add automation technology to my own pharmacy.” In addition to providing efficiency, Koegler knew technology could also help his new pharmacy make life easier for patients by providing medications organized by day and dose time, packaged in easy-to-open pouches. “Taking medication can be stressful and time consuming, especially for patients taking multiple medications throughout the day,” says Koegler. “Seniors often have trouble managing medications and they aren’t the only ones. Families with kids who have chronic conditions like ADHD, often need to send medication to school and rely on their kids (or sometimes teachers or support staff) to know when and how much to take. Pouch packaged medications can significantly simplify their lives, providing a convenient, accurate way to take medication.” Automating their compliance packaging production and offering the pouch, empowers Westbridge Pharmacy to help patients while giving it a competitive edge over businesses who can’t offer the service.
The Solution: McKesson Canada Automation Modernizes Medication Management Before opening the doors to Westbridge Pharmacy, Koegler turned to McKesson Canada Automation, a leader in pharmacy automation, for automated pouch packaging -specifically, McKesson’s PACMED. With this investment, Koegler was able to create custom medication pouches for his compliance packaging patients, to fit the needs of his diverse patient base and streamline production.
Visit www.mckesson.ca for more information.
Having researched automation solution providers and from his previous experience at various pharmacies, Koegler found the PACMED superior to other automated solutions. Having a PACMED helps make our business a destination location. It’s allowed us to provide great care for our patients, while increasing the volume of medication we dispense in an incredibly efficient manner”, says Koegler. By automating pouch packaged medications, Koegler has confidence that the right types of medication and doses are dispensed to the right individuals and his time is freed to provide patients with more personalized counseling and care. McKesson Canada Automation Leads to Happy Customers, Efficient Business In just the first five months of operation, Westbridge Pharmacy has dozens of patients opting for pouch packaged medications. Koegler expects interest to surge as more retail patients and institutions, such as group homes and nursing homes, become more aware of the service he provides. “People are smiling when they come in to pick up their next pack,” says Koegler. “Their medication is customized with their name, looks nice, and is easy to use. They notice a difference and feel well taken care of. And I have peace of mind that I will always have their prescriptions ready for them because the machine takes care of it.” Automation enables Westbridge to operate more efficiently, keeping Koegler from having to hire additional staff and freeing his time for clinical services as well as compounding and home health care. He predicts that efficiencies will become further apparent as business grows. In the meantime, he cites market edge as one of the most immediate benefits that the automated solution provides. “Automation allows me to give customers something no other pharmacy in town can,” says Koegler. “When you can provide a service that not everyone can, like pouch packaging, word gets around and customers come to you to fill that need. I feel excited to show customers and other health care providers what we can do for them.” His advice to others interested in automating their pharmacies: “Pharmacies can be left behind and miss huge business opportunities because they haven’t automated. Automation enables you to win new customers, more readily adapt to change, and to operate smarter. It’s a worthy investment to consider.”
visit automation.mckesson.ca to learn more.