Automated dispensing unit provides more accurate pharmacy automation

For central fill and mail order pharmacies looking to move their unit-of-use dispensing and pre-pack dispensing from A-frames to more accurate pharmacy automation, Tension International Automation Solutions (TIAS) offers the ADU-3500L. The automated dispensing unit (ADU) automates the dispensing, labeling and verification of pre-packaged products, and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical units-of-use.

Among the pharmacies in which it’s currently installed, the ADU has dispensed more than 15 million prescriptions without error.

“The accuracy and efficiency are phenomenal,” said Candice Vaughn, chief pharmacist with the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority. “From what we’ve seen, Tension’s automated dispensing unit is almost unequaled for unit-of-use and pre-pack dispensing and labeling.” The Choctaw facility provides automated order fulfillment of prescriptions for its clinics and mail order patients.

Standard pharmacy automation features on the ADU-3500L are:

• Automated pre-pack dispensing and labeling
• Automated unit-of-use dispensing and labeling
• Easy-load cartridges with dynamic product replenishment
• Up to 35 cartridges, each holding 20 – 25 prescription bottles
• Dispenses and labels finished prescriptions into totes, automated packaging equipment or RX workstations
• 3-point bar code verification

Easily integrated into current systems due to its small footprint, the ADU-3500L is able to dispense more than 435 prescriptions per hour, which equals about 3,500 per shift. This efficient and reliable automation solution helps pharmacies maximize manpower while reducing fulfillment costs.

In addition to fabricating and integrating ADUs, TIAS designs and installs full pharmacy automation systems. TIAS is exhibiting at booth 649 at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores 2009 Pharmacy & Technology Conference August 8-11.