The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7235 p177
8 February 2003

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Lloydspharmacy (www.lloydspharmacy.co.uk)

Dispensing robots for Lloydspharmacy

Lloydspharmacy is to introduce robotic dispensing into its pharmacies. A ROWA Speedcase system has been purchased from supplier ARX, according to Chris Frost, head of pharmacy systems at Lloydspharmacy.

Mr Frost told The Journal that the system has been purchased to help reduce the time that pharmacists spend dispensing medicines and is being considered by the company alongside the introduction of accredited checking technicians and "hub-and-spoke" dispensing.

Use of the system in one pharmacy is to be evaluated as part of a pilot scheme over the next 12 months. Mr Frost said that Lloydspharmacy "will be evaluating the benefits and issues that dispensary automation presents in the context of the community pharmacy".

He added: "There has been much discussion of the benefits of automation, which have been found to include a reduction in errors, reduced shrinkage, increased speed and capacity. However, most of this research has been carried out in a hospital environment."