Automated Dispensing
Introduction
Automated dispensing is a system being implemented in today 's pharmacy 's nation wide. It involves the use of machines pre stocked with drugs that are programmed to automatically dispense physicians orders upon request.
Changing roles
With technology advancing, the role of both the pharmacy technician and the pharmacist is taking a swing toward making the dispensary a better work environment. Automatic dispensing systems are taking over the dispensing issues of the pharmacy and technicians fear they will take over their job completely. The duties of a pharmacy technician are counting pills and placing them in the proper vials with lids and applying the appropriate labels to assist the pharmacist in anyway possible so they can spend more time with patients. Maybe in the smaller pharmacies some technicians will lose their job, but in the busier and bigger pharmacies, technicians will become an asset. The machines can 't stock themselves. Someone needs to keep the cabinets well stocked and all the products will have to be checked for expiry dates on a regular basis. Everyday pharmacy supplies have to be maintained, ordering and receiving of products has to be looked after, and the filing of the prescriptions and sales records has to be filed on a daily basis. These jobs will always be available and machines will never replace the technician completely because even when you think there is nothing to do, there is always something.
Along with the role of the pharmacy technician changing, the role of the pharmacist is taking a turn towards better patient care. In some pharmacies the pharmacist does all the dispensing and there are no technicians involved, but with the automated dispensing system performing these duties, pharmacists will be inclined to spend more time with patients to discuss their medications with them and to monitor their drug therapy in order to provide optimal pharmaceutical care. By spending more time with patients and getting
Automated dispensing is a system being implemented in today 's pharmacy 's nation wide. It involves the use of machines pre stocked with drugs that are programmed to automatically dispense physicians orders upon request.
Changing roles
With technology advancing, the role of both the pharmacy technician and the pharmacist is taking a swing toward making the dispensary a better work environment. Automatic dispensing systems are taking over the dispensing issues of the pharmacy and technicians fear they will take over their job completely. The duties of a pharmacy technician are counting pills and placing them in the proper vials with lids and applying the appropriate labels to assist the pharmacist in anyway possible so they can spend more time with patients. Maybe in the smaller pharmacies some technicians will lose their job, but in the busier and bigger pharmacies, technicians will become an asset. The machines can 't stock themselves. Someone needs to keep the cabinets well stocked and all the products will have to be checked for expiry dates on a regular basis. Everyday pharmacy supplies have to be maintained, ordering and receiving of products has to be looked after, and the filing of the prescriptions and sales records has to be filed on a daily basis. These jobs will always be available and machines will never replace the technician completely because even when you think there is nothing to do, there is always something.
Along with the role of the pharmacy technician changing, the role of the pharmacist is taking a turn towards better patient care. In some pharmacies the pharmacist does all the dispensing and there are no technicians involved, but with the automated dispensing system performing these duties, pharmacists will be inclined to spend more time with patients to discuss their medications with them and to monitor their drug therapy in order to provide optimal pharmaceutical care. By spending more time with patients and getting
Bibliography: 1. Fitzgerald, Ray (2004) Automated Dispensing. Retrieved October 24, 2006 from the world wide web: http://www.pjonline.com/pdf/hp/200403/hp_200403_automateddispensing02.pdf 2. Hong, Lona (2000) Pharmacy Automation. Retrieved October 24, 2006 from the world wide web: http://www.nm-pharmacy.com/body_student_article_6.htm 3. Emmons, Mitch (1997) Automation part of auburn pharmacy instruction. Retrieved October 13, 2006 from the world wide web: http://www.auburn.edu/adminstration/univrel/news/archive/2_97news/2_97pharmacy.html 4. Hagen, Chris (1997) Bayview news. Retrieved October 24, 2006 from the world wide web: http://www.hoskinsbayview.org/opa/baynews/fall1997/pyxis.html 5. Fitzgerald, Ray (2005) Automated Dispensing. Retrieved October 24, 2006 from the world wide web: http://www.pjonline.com/pdf/papers/pj_20050618_automateddispensing.pdf