VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- New technologies that automate
the prescription fulfillment process are delivering significant benefits to
the customers of one Salem-area and two Portland-area pharmacies.
With automated equipment now processing prescriptions that pharmacists
previously had to count by hand, the changes for these pharmacies have been
dramatic. Safety and accuracy have been greatly enhanced by a system that
checks and double-checks prescriptions before they are dispensed.
Prescription wait times have also been dramatically reduced and pharmacists
and their staff have more time to focus on patients.
The automation technologies they are using were developed by AutoMed, a
unit of AmerisourceBergen, one of the largest pharmaceutical services
companies in the United States.
"Automation allows me to spend more time counseling patients and less time
licking and sticking, counting and pouring," said Mike Douglas, owner of
Mike's Medical Pharmacy in Newberg, about the traditional methods of filling
and labeling prescriptions. "This way I am available and can really talk to a
patient. It's harder to do this when you're busy counting. The AutoMed
system has helped create a much better environment for the patient-pharmacist
relationship, which is what it's really all about for me."
The two other Oregon pharmacies that have installed this new technology
are: McCann's Pharmacy in Tigard and Stayton Pharmacy in Stayton. All three
pharmacies belong to the Good Neighbor Pharmacy(R) network of independently
owned and operated community pharmacies.
Along with the shift to automation technology, Mike's Medical Pharmacy has
made an even bigger transition - moving to a larger store after 35 years in
one location. As a result, Douglas and his staff now have both more time and
more space to serve customers. The store's grand opening took place today
(November 4th).
Owner Jamie Netland of Stayton Pharmacy has a similar story. Netland also
moved to a new location recently and installed automation technology as part
of the relocation. After the move, his prescription business increased
dramatically. It would have been "very difficult" to meet the challenges
without automation, he said.
"But the main reason we installed the technology was to improve accuracy
and cut down on human error," Netland said. "It also helps with workflow,
enabling us to be much more efficient and spend more time with the customer."
Because the system is so much faster than the manual method of dispensing
prescriptions, he adds, his staff feels less pressure and it has "without a
doubt" reduced waiting time for prescriptions.
Matt McCann of McCann's Pharmacy agrees.
"It has definitely increased the speed and accuracy of filling my
customers' prescriptions and my pharmacists absolutely love it," said McCann.
"When you know you can rely on a system that's been checked and double-
checked, it's one less pressure. And because we have more time, we are able to
provide better care for our customers."
About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen(R) (NYSE: ABC) is one of the largest pharmaceutical
services companies in the United States. Servicing both pharmaceutical
manufacturers and healthcare providers in the pharmaceutical supply channel,
the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce
costs and improve patient outcomes. Through AutoMed, a wholly owned
subsidiary, AmerisourceBergen is the leading innovator of comprehensive
pharmacy efficiency solutions. AutoMed combines the world's most advanced
prescription fulfillment technology, workflow software, and pharmacy design
expertise into customized pharmacy efficiency solutions that enable customers
to better manage costs, staffing and accuracy. Good Neighbor Pharmacy(R), an
AmerisourceBergen program, is a network of more than 1,800 independently owned
and operated community pharmacies. With more than $47 billion in annualized
operating revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and
employs more than 14,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #22 on the
Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to http://www.amerisourcebergen.com
or http://www.automed.com.
SOURCE AmerisourceBergen
-0- 11/04/2004
/CONTACT: Barbara Brungess, AmerisourceBergen, +1-610-727-7199,
bbrungess@amerisourcebergen.com, or Iris Raylesberg, Kapnek Communications,
+1-215-830-9890, iris@kapnek.com, for AmerisourceBergen/
/Web site: http://www.automed.com
http://www.amerisourcebergen.com /
(ABC)
CO: AmerisourceBergen; AutoMed; Mike's Medical Pharmacy; McCann's Pharmacy;
Stayton Pharmacy
ST: Pennsylvania, Oregon
IN: MTC HEA CPR
SU: PDT
FB
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3000 11/04/2004 14:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com