New tool to reduce dispensing errors in the pharmacy
A new tool to reduce dispensing errors and allow detection of counterfeit products could be in pharmacies within the next year, according to PA Consulting Group.
Andy Gill, managing consultant, explained that under the proposed system
a barcode or unique identifying number will be put on to the medicine
pack when it is manufactured and recorded in a secure database. When
the product reaches the point of dispensing in
either hospital or the community, the pharmacist uses a scanner to read
the barcode/
number and compare it with the database in order to authenticate the
product.
The technology aims to reduce errors by acting as a final check in dispensing.
The scanner will be linked to pharmacy labelling systems and when the
product is scanned it will highlight if the product is different from
that entered on the label. The database will also be able to check if
a product is out of date, subject to a recall or is counterfeit.
“We have completed the design for the scanner so the next step
is a trial to make sure it works in the field, in all pharmacy settings,” Mr
Gill said. The scanner itself has a footprint size that is no bigger
than a piece of A4 paper and the scan results are given instantaneously.
Rob Whewell, managing consultant, commented: “We expect that pharmacists
will have to pay a small rental fee to cover installation and maintenance
of the scanner.” The capital to cover the cost of the scanners
themselves is currently being met by PA Consulting.
Initially, the company hopes that between 10 and 100 pharmacies will
pilot the tool, starting in May or June. Some pharmacies have already
been recruited and the company is looking for additional volunteers (contact
details at www.paconsulting.com). |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal