Meet the 2024 REX Technology and Automation Award Winners
The luminaries of the technology and automation industry are the companies that are continually innovating so that pharmacists can expand their role as healthcare providers. They also are increasing efficiencies so that pharmacists are free to practice at the top of their licenses. As retailers evolve to become healthcare destinations, these companies go the extra mile to ensure they operate more efficiently.
This month, Drug Store News recognizes the technology and automation industry with its Retail Excellence Awards — Technology and Automation. These are companies that are continually going the extra mile for their customers.
[Read more: REX Awards 2023: Technology and Automation]
Cardinal Health
Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health is centered on support for retail independent pharmacies, investing in the future to help them navigate a changing landscape.
“Community pharmacists are a key component of a patient’s overall treatment plan. By expanding their scope to incorporate more clinical services, they are providing increased access to convenient care,” said Gregg Jones, director of the Pharmacy of the Future program at Cardinal Health.
Whether a pharmacy has experience with clinical solutions or is just getting started, they can lean on the expertise of Cardinal Health to help them add value for their patients, optimize their workflow and add additional revenue streams.
“Our team of experts interact with pharmacies nationwide to gather their feedback, share best practices and provide guidance on which solutions will add the most value for their patients’ unique needs and additional revenue streams to help their business thrive,” Jones said.
Cardinal Health offers the Dispill-USA Multi-dose Packaging solution, which helps simplify medication management and reduce medication errors. Cardinal Health also is expanding its vaccine solution portfolio with comprehensive vaccine and point-of-care testing services that will offer lower access costs, plus marketing and patient education resources.
As pharmacies continue to expand their clinical services, billing for these services may add additional complexity. The Cardinal Health Medical Benefit Billing solution enables pharmacies to bill and track medical benefit and DME claims in real time, increasing visibility, reducing manual processes and offering greater flexibility.
CoverMyMeds
Columbus, Ohio-based CoverMyMeds, part of McKesson, is a medication access company committed to helping people get the medicine they need. Created in 2008, CoverMyMeds has built a network and technology solutions that help providers and pharmacists better serve their patients.
CoverMyMeds’ solutions help address fundamental barriers to medication access, affordability and adherence. One specific innovation is its Central Fill as a Service.
CFaaS is a centralized prescription fulfillment service powered by robotics combined with McKesson’s long standing expertise in prescription automation technology to improve every aspect of prescription fulfillment. The company’s automated fulfillment facilities are strategically located throughout the United States to handle high-volume prescription fulfillment daily, while still ensuring accuracy and timely delivery of prescriptions for pharmacies and their patients.
EnlivenHealth
EnlivenHealth, a division of Omnicell, enables pharmacies with connected patient engagement, clinical and financial workflows designed to result in an elevated patient-pharmacy experience. With the acquisition of established pharmacy software providers FDS Amplicare and MarkeTouch Media in 2021, Fort Worth, Texas-based EnlivenHealth now offers the most comprehensive suite of pharmacy software-as-a-service solutions on the market, the company said.
EnlivenHealth advocates for a world where pharmacy teams stand at the forefront of health care, empowering them to practice at the top of their license and aiding them with their commitment to patient care, collaboration and continuous learning.
In 2024, the company announced its Digital Medication Information Delivery solution, a patient engagement solution that is designed to electronically send FDA-required medication information to pharmacy patients. It is designed to improve patient access and education while promoting environmental and sustainability efforts by reducing paper and toner cartridge waste. A major retail pharmacy chain launched DMID to a pilot group of stores in Q3 2023, and by Q4 2023 they had expanded the program to more than 1,900 locations.
iA
Headquartered in Indianapolis, iA provides an integrated pharmacy fulfillment platform designed to remove repetitive tasks from the prescription fill process and allow pharmacists more time to focus on patient care. Leveraging NEXiA Enterprise Software Suite and advanced robotics, iA builds comprehensive solutions intended to automate the prescription fulfillment process.
With more than 30 years of experience in the pharmacy fulfillment business, iA has developed and implemented a suite of automation and software solutions that help deliver quick and sustainable business results. iA solutions help run the prescription fulfillment process from prescription order acceptance to delivery, supporting dynamic design flexibility to service pharmacies in a variety of volumes and settings, including those in the commercial space, health systems and government entities.
iA regularly adds new products and upgrades to its offerings. In addition to its centralized fulfillment solutions, iA recently launched Shared Central Fulfillment, a platform allowing pharmacy fulfillment partners the ability to provide seamless prescription fulfillment for multiple pharmacy partners. This solution enables more pharmacies the ability to improve workflow, increase efficiency and ultimately, free up pharmacists to spend more time providing care to patients.
Inmar Intelligence
Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Inmar Intelligence has been solving problems for pharmacies, health systems and life sciences companies for more than 40 years.
"We play a pivotal role in the healthcare value chain, focusing on four core areas:supply chain; revenue cycle management; patient safety, access and affordability; and healthcare intelligence and insights so we can solve complex problems in the business of healthcare," said Brian Nightengale, executive vice president and president of Inmar's Healthcare division.
In the area of supply chain solutions, the company specializes inRx Returns and has been adding to the portfolio to enhance safety. These new solutions include DSCSA data reconciliation, recall management and proper handling and disposal of hazardous pharmaceuticals.
To distribute safe and secure drug products—and comply with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act—pharmacies need confidence in the chain of custody for every medication that passes through the pharmacy. With Inmar's RxTransparent, pharmacies gain visibility that enables compliance by capturing serialized purchase data from vendors, storing that data for reconciliation with product received and tracking any change in ownership for every drug they have coming into inventory.
Capturing serialized data is essential for DSCSA compliance and can enhance recall responses. By integrating Inmar's RxTransparent with its OneRecall solution, pharmacies receive precise recall alerts solely for products they have procured. This targeted approach reduces unnecessary alerts, mitigating alert fatigue and facilitating quicker, more effective recall responses.
Additionally, RxTransparent integrates hazardous drug data, empowering pharmacies to oversee the safe handling of these substances by their staff and comply with both USP<800> regulations and EPA Subpart P.
Jones Healthcare Group
Jones Healthcare Group, based in London, Ontario, Canada, has spent more than a century responding to pharmacy needs with packaging solutions. With a focus on innovation and product development, Jones has pioneered a range of medication adherence packaging options tailored to optimize pharmacy operations and enable care facilities to better support their patient population.
Jones Healthcare Group partnered with automation manufacturers, fulfillment centers, pharmacies and long-term care facilities to develop FlexRx One, a re-imagined single-dose blister package. An analysis of every step of the blister pack filling, sealing and dispensing process led to a feature-packed product offering that ensures optimal performance and ease of use.
With its design achieved through collaboration with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, operations specialists and nurses, FlexRx One redefines medication adherence packaging, offering pharmacies and long-term care facilities a solution for efficient, accurate and sustainable medication dispensing.
Endorsed by pharmacy teams and long-term care nurses, FlexRx One represents a fresh approach to blister pack development.
Knapp
Kennesaw, Ga.-based Knapp develops and manufactures intelligent warehouse and pharmacy systems using the latest solutions in digitalization, software, automation and robotics. Günter Knapp started the business in Graz, Austria, in 1952, with just two employees. Since then, the company has grown to become an international group of 7,300 employees with 66 global locations.
Knapp Pharmacy Solutions is a value chain tech partner for customers in mail order, central fill, long term care, specialty and retail pharmacies.
“Our first centralized pharmacies installed in North America are almost a quarter century old and still running above specified rates,” said Brian Sullivan, principal – pharmacy solutions at Knapp North America. “Our newest mail and central fill pharmacies are driven by our KiSoft One Pharmacy Execution System, which provides a superior workflow with complete visualization of inventory within the pharmacy.
Sullivan also said that the latest generation of Knapp pharmacies provide the most automated solutions currently available. “Based on Knapp’s Mission Zero Touch approach, our pharmacies take out unnecessary touch points to free up pharmacy associates to engage in the most value-added and profitable activities,” Sullivan said.
Knapp recently installed its 5th generation ATD (Automated Tablet Dispensers) and 3rd generation KMeD (Knapp Medication Dispensers) allowing centralized pharmacies an accurate automated TCA system for high output pharmacies.
McKesson
Irving, Texas-based McKesson helps patients access life-saving therapies, creates a real difference for patients with cancer and equips pharmacies, health systems and clinics with technologies to operate more effectively.
With a 191-year history of distribution operational excellence, McKesson delivers nearly one-third of all medicines in the United States. In recent years, McKesson opened two new distribution centers integrated with technology and designed with sustainable upgrades in both facilities. In its newest Central Ohio distribution center, 90% of all fulfillment processes have been enhanced by automation, including the use of four robots to enhance its processing power.
“Our latest distribution centers redefine distribution excellence and seamlessly blend advanced innovations with a commitment to our customers, employees and environment,” said Todd Kleinow, vice president, strategic distribution experience at McKesson.
McKesson also offers a broad set of personalized technology solutions that help improve clinical performance, optimize business operations and expand capabilities to meet the evolving needs of today’s pharmacy customers.
MedAdvisor Solutions
MedAdvisor Solutions, headquartered in Woburn, Mass., specializes in pharmacy-driven patient engagement solutions that provide individualized patient experiences to simplify the patient medication journey.
“We utilize a data-driven approach to engagement and a patient-centric digital experience that empowers the pharmacy of the future and inspires lasting behavior change,” said Brian Peterson, president – U.S..
Peterson added, “We recently launched Omnichannel Engagement for Pharmacy. which complements and builds upon a pharmacy’s digital patient engagement strategy to deliver new programs that improve outcomes, customer loyalty and support the pharmacist workflow.”
Included in the product suite, pharmacies have the option to offer patients a paperless version of FDA-approved medication information for those who prefer it (available via SMS, web or mobile app), which can save time and reduce certain associated print costs. The portfolio also includes robust medication education and resources, delivered via a variety of communication channels, like SMS, web, virtual medication advisor and more.
Additionally, the more interactive channels allow patients to ask questions and receive real time answers.
OmniSYS
OmniSYS, the pharmacy division of XiFin, is a technology provider dedicated to helping pharmacies achieve a stronger financial base and optimized and automated workflows.. Founded in 1988 in Dallas, OmniSYS serves as a trusted advisor to the nation’s leading retail pharmacies.
OmniSYS uses its unique insight and pharmacy workflow expertise to develop technology solutions that increase efficiency, enabling pharmacies to deliver clinical services that improve patient health and pharmacy business.
“It’s an exciting time to be in pharmacy. With the increasingly expanded role of pharmacists, pharmacies are becoming the front door of healthcare,” said David Pope, chief pharmacy officer at OmniSYS. “We’re proud to offer technology solutions that reduce administrative workload, improve efficiency and empower pharmacies to maximize their capabilities to better serve the community.”
Pope went on to say that many pharmacies are struggling with staffing shortages and find it challenging to deliver more clinical services and get paid for them. “From immunization alerts and clinical documentation to medical billing, we offer purpose-built, pharmacy-first solutions that provide the automation needed to optimize workflow, patient care and profitability,” Pope said.
To help pharmacies bill for clinical services, OmniSYS offers medical billing solutions trusted by over 30,000 pharmacies, the company said. With this solution, pharmacies can bill and get paid for immunizations, clinical services, DME and specialty medications. Pharmacies can deliver added value by tapping into OmniSYS’ smart clinical messaging capability, which presents timely, actionable immunization alerts to pharmacy staff.
Additionally, OmniSYS’ billing-enabled EHR, brings together pharmacy and medical information into an insightful patient record that empowers pharmacists to deliver and document clinical services.
Outcomes
Outcomes has been dedicated to the success of pharmacies for nearly half a century. The company offers a comprehensive technology platform for optimizing business operations, improving patient outcomes and maximizing profitability.
Outcomes got its start in pharmacy management and engagement solutions through industry brands as Rx30, ComputerRx, SMP and PrescribeWellness. Over time, the company’s offerings have evolved to a full suite of integrated solutions that position pharmacies for the future of healthcare by helping pharmacists work top-of-license, while also providing the tools needed to expand clinical services, enhance patient communication and expand revenue streams.
In 2023, a merger between Outcomes and Transaction Data Systems created a broad, integrated solution that drives value for key stakeholders—patient, pharmacy, payer and pharmaceutical company ecosystems—through a nationwide network of 48,000 retail, chain and grocery pharmacy locations.
The breadth of the offering positions pharmacies as the cornerstone of a healthcare system that delivers accessible, quality, affordable care. Now, health plans can draw on the deep patient relationships of community pharmacists and engage more members through Outcomes’ network, which touches more than 70 million lives each year. In addition, pharmaceutical companies can engage patients in a timely, trusted manner to elevate their brand, improve medication adherence and retention and enhance patient outcomes.
STChealth
Headquartered in Phoenix, STChealth works with clients and partner organizations to pursue a shared mission of eradicating preventable disease through innovative software and service solutions.
Over 80,000 immunization providers across the U.S. leverage STChealth technology to validate patient immunization status, as well as to capture and report immunization and laboratory test data to state and federal entities. More than 2.5 billion patient records have been reported through the STChealth National Provider Network in the last decade; this massive exchange of data is made possible through partnerships with The White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public health, healthcare systems and pharmacies across the nation.
“Throughout its history, STChealth has worked alongside public health as a provider of immunization information system technology,” said Mike Popovich, CEO of STChealth. “These public sector relationships allow STChealth to bridge the gap with private sector healthcare providers, including pharmacies, to create longstanding and meaningful partnerships that benefit providers and their patients by increasing operational efficiency to accelerate immunization services, as well as driving revenue and reputation through improved patient care.”