Winner


inherently safer that traditional means, in that they don't suffer from human error and don't get distracted or tired from the task of gathering medicines. Dispensing mistakes have been virtually eradicated (there have been no errors or “near misses” since the installation of the robot) and this is just one area where patient safety has been improved.


Automation frees up a significant amount of pharmacist time and has allowed pharmacists greater time to counsel patients and to invite them to participate in decisions about their own care. Greater patient involvement leads to better concordance and treatment outcomes.


“Already we have seen a significant increase in MUR provision and have also started a Smoking Cessation service. Prior to the installation of the Robot lack of physical space meant that there was no consultation room and therefore the patient experience has been dramatically improved,” Peter adds.


The main objectives of this project was to improve patient safety. Prior to the commencement of this project the dispensing volume had reached a point where the team were struggling to cope. “The pharmacy is sited in a converted terrace house and the limited space available meant that we had an extremely limited retail space and no space for a consultation room. We looked for new premises but no suitable alternative was found. We converted a store room to increase our dispensing area but it was evident that a drastic change was necessary,” Peter says.


“I had heard of pharmacy automation and it seemed to provide a possible solution. I researched a number of different models and visited a variety of pharmacies in England and the Republic of Ireland. It was decided to install an Evotec dispensing robot on the first floor of the building as it would increase retail space and provide for a large dispensary on the first floor whilst simultaneously enabling dispensing on the ground floor.”


Due to the scale of work needed it was necessary to have a complete refit of the pharmacy.


“In preparation for this I analysed the data from my EPoS using Real World Retail reporting software. I was the first user of this software in Northern Ireland and on analysing the data I decided to place a much greater focus on the medicines and moved the Pharmacy (P) medicines out from behind the counter and into the retail area. This was also a first in Northern Ireland. The shop was laid out with a patient focused approach and


“We have made a real commitment and an effort to change the way we look at pharmacy and hopefully have made a difference to the service we have provided to our customers. This Award will give a real sense of worth to the company and will show our customer we are doing well at what we do.”


categorised by medical condition and customer type. I reduce the number of lines stocked from in excess of 3000 to around 800 with a much bigger emphasis placed on medicines.


“I installed a new bespoke counter that incorporated consultation areas and allowed dispensing of prescriptions, patient consultation and retail sales to be completed simultaneously and by a single pharmacist. This released the pharmacist from the confines of a traditional dispensary and meant that opportunity for clinical intervention was maximised.”


The team at McKenzie’s have worked hard to combine novel ideas that both individually and together contributed to a significant improvement in the pharmacy business.


Peter continues, “As a result of automating the dispensary we have been able to increase both the dispensary and retail areas whilst


staying within the physical confines of a small premises. Through automating our stock management, we have been able to reduce our base stock levels and minimise dead stock by identifying changes in prescribing habits and moving stock to other branches well before it nears expiration. As a result of this stock management we have been able to reduce stockholding in this branch by £10000. By using the robot as a central repository for slow moving lines we have reduced the group’s overall stockholding by £40000.


“At the same time the improvement in dispensing speed coupled with the new refit and improved workflow has led to an increase in dispensing of approximately 6000 items in the last year coupled with approximately 200 new regular patients.


“I believe the project has been an overwhelming success and customers have been very


pharmacyinfocus.co.uk 49


complimentary of the new pharmacy. I feel that it has revitalised my pharmacy and put me in a very strong position for future growth.”


On accepting the Award at the Pharmacy in Focus Awards Peter said on behalf of his team, “This is a real acknowledge of the work, time and effort put into the Pharmacy over the last number of years,” Peter concluded.


“We have made a real commitment and an effort to change the way we look at Pharmacy and hopefully have made a difference to the service we have provided to our customers. This Award will give a real sense of worth to the company and will show our customers we are doing well at what we do.”n


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