RxSafe 1800 improves pharmacy workflow, inventory control

 

 

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. — Innovation, makers of PharmASSIST pharmacy automation solutions, on Wednesday announced that Donlon HealthMart Pharmacy in Decorah, Iowa has successfully implemented an RxSafe 1800 robotic storage and retrieval system. 

 

“My first interest was in better inventory control, which is a goal we've worked on for years. From an inventory standpoint, RxSafe has helped us reduce unneeded stock and get outdates moved out before they turn into outdates, or at least as soon as they do,” stated Matthew Maker, owner, Donlon HealthMart Pharmacy. “I also wanted to get my skilled staff out of the menial work of counting by fives. My team is worth more to me in patient contact and technology tasks; the less I have them doing menial work, the better they can serve our patients and improve our business.”

 

From an inventory standpoint, Maker says the pharmacy generates a “90-day Returns” report every weekend and send back to the wholesaler any sealed stock bottles that do not seem needed, receiving full credit as long as the wholesaler receives it before the 90-day window expires. “This process enables me to recognize when a patient is discontinued on a drug no one else takes, and to reduce my stock of items that just don’t move much,” said Maker. “We are seeing reduced dollars spent with our wholesaler and I believe RxSafe is part of that. Keeping a leaner inventory and more targeted ordering should reduce my weekly bills.”

 

Donlon HealthMart Pharmacy fills an average of 275 to 300 prescriptions daily. The RxSafe 1800 integrates with their WinRx pharmacy management system from ComputerRx. The pharmacy also employs the Ateb IVR system for refill processing.