Pharmacy Technology

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Speech-recognition software developer VoicePort and mobile-applications-as-a-service company Unwired Nation have entered an agreement to port the former’s customer service software to smartphones and tablets, the companies said.

Rochester, N.Y.-based VoicePort and Austin, Texas-based Unwired Nation will use VoicePort’s Kinita and PharmaPhonetics platform to create mobile apps. VoicePort’s software uses advanced speech recognition self-service technology to automate interactions for the pharmacy and pharmaceutical industries.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Juno Technologies has introduced a new way to package medications that keeps drugs secure but makes them easier to ship and store.

The new m-pack container is designed to replace the traditional round vials commonly used in retail pharmacies.

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. — Pharmacy automation equipment manufacturer Innovation will unveil a new device for automating the counting and processing of medications at two pharmacy trade shows this summer, the company said Tuesday.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota’s largest physician-owned health plan has adopted prior authorization automation technology from RxEOB for use across its membership, RxEOB said.

Dakotacare will use the company’s AutoAuthRx to allow clinical pharmacists to collaborate with providers and ensure each prescription is aligned with the member’s specific benefit design and the associated evidence-based guidelines.

SPARKS, Md. — A global medical technology company has appointed a worldwide director of scientific affairs for its diagnostic systems division.

Becton, Dickinson and Co. said that Patrick Murray has joined its BD Diagnostics segment. In his new role, Murray "will leverage his clinical expertise to best define new product requirements, evaluate new technologies and engage external experts and institutions in BD's innovation process," the company said.


NEW YORK — The race is on to capture tomorrow’s click-and-pick shopper — that multichannel consumer who, with a click, wields her phone as an omniscient shopping tool and then either picks her product off the shelf or picks where that product will be waiting for her, be it at a nearby store or in her mailbox. 


BOSTON and BRUSSELS — Drug maker UCB and Harvard University have entered a research alliance that is designed to advance ongoing Harvard research projects along the drug development pathway.

UCB said it will bring its expertise in antibody generation and medicinal chemistry into the alliance and will provide up to $6 million over two years to fund specific innovative research projects led by Harvard scientists. The collaboration focuses on the central nervous system and immunology, UCB said.

SAN DIEGO — Tracking medication adherence and connecting to pharmacies when it's time to refill prescriptions are among the capabilities of a new iPhone and iPad application made by GreatCall.

GreatCall announced the launch of MedCoach, a medication management app that the company said would help customers better manage their overall well-being for free.