LEGISLATION
introducing FMD compliant packs into the market already, ahead of the February 2019 launch date.
FMD aims to provide a secure supply chain from manufacturers through wholesale to dispensing and, ultimately, the patient. Although patient safety is driving the need for FMD, it would be unfair to expect community pharmacies to be 100 per cent compliant from day one, when only a relatively small number of medication packs will already be serialised.
Prior to announcing the series of regional workshops, Positive Solutions has been gathering feedback from its thousands of systems users in anticipation of the go-live date, now less than ten months away.
The Chorley-based pharmacy technology specialists were alarmed to discover that 16 per cent of pharmacy clients had never heard of FMD until they received the company survey and only twelve per cent understood the implications of the legislation and how it would be adopted in their pharmacy. In addition, there were considerable misunderstandings around its implementation and the equipment needed to perform FMD checking.
‘However, amongst the confusion,’ continued the Head of Product Development for PSL, ‘we found a willingness to adapt and a desire to embrace what could be a new opportunity to improve safety and offset the challenges associated with workfl ow change.’
12 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
As part of their ongoing successful partnership, leading robot manufacturer BD Rowa Technologies supported Positive Solutions’ fi rst FMD workshop for Scottish Pharmacy held at the University of Stirling. This joint approach will continue throughout more workshops covering the North and South of England in coming months. Chris Shelford, Marketing Manager for BD Rowa Technologies outlined the importance of IT solutions partners working together to develop products and services that deliver effi ciencies and benefi ts to pharmacy.
‘We view suppliers and pharmacy as partners in this journey,’ says Chris. ‘By working in partnership and collaborating with leading PMR providers such as Positive Solutions, we’re able to provide many benefi ts to pharmacy. By presenting the advantages of our solutions, and the associated integration, we’re able to help pharmacists understand the implications of FMD and show that we’re ready and future-proofed for what lies ahead. FMD shouldn’t be a barrier to automation – it should be used to unlock the potential in pharmacy and improve process and effi ciencies, such as automated ‘validation’ scanning, and output by real expiry date fi rst.’
Integrated automation solutions gives pharmacies complete control of the dispensing process ensuring compliance and peace of mind. The potential to generate increased output and deliver greater effi ciency is clear. The seamless connection between
Analyst PMR or Analyst Central Fill and BD Rowa Technologies pharmacy solutions enable pharmacies to embrace future technology without fear or apprehension. This can signifi cantly improve dispensing effi ciency and deliver considerable long-term cost saving benefi ts.
Pharmacy feedback from this fi rst Scottish event confi rmed a successful day that was well received and considered extremely useful by all those in attendance. Delegates said they had learned a lot from the keynote speakers and 80 per cent said they had now changed their opinion and feel more positive about FMD.
Positive Solutions is anticipating
signifi cant changes to pharmacy practice to comply with the new regulations. The company has confi rmed it’s already supporting customers ahead of the regulation coming into effect. Since the beginning of this year, all new Positive Solutions systems and hardware upgrades are being delivered, with 2D scanners capable of performing 2D code checks against the National Medicines Verifi cation System.
The next Positive Solutions workshops will be held in Leeds and Oxford. Places are limited, so please call 01257 235910 or email solutions@
positive-solutions.co.uk for further information. •
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