The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7285 p146
7 February 2004

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Clear steps for prescription checking at Rowlands Pharmacy

Dispensing into clear plastic bags is helping pharmacists check prescriptions when they are handed over to customers in refurbished branches of Rowlands Pharmacy.

Dispensed prescriptions are hung in alphabetical order in the bags on rails next to the patient counselling area. The prescription is visible through the bag. Checking takes place when the customer arrives in the pharmacy. Clear partitions preserve privacy but allow the pharmacist to continue to supervise medicine sales.

To date, the revised layout has been installed in 30 branches of the Rowlands chain, which is owned by the third national wholesaler Phoenix. A further 55 branches are to be refurbished this year.

Kenny Black, commercial director at Rowlands, said that research carried out since the dispensing concept was first introduced last year had found that all customers said they liked having the pharmacist available at the counter and 95 per cent said that they would revisit the pharmacy because they were able to speak to the pharmacist. “We see this as being the first step towards the pharmacist being available on the counter at all times,” Mr Black added.