Many hospitals throughout Ontario, will soon have a new member of their team, a kiosk style prescription drug dispensing machine much like an automated teller machine, (ATM). With the approval of the Ontario Hospital Association, the drug kiosks will actually roll out rather quickly, as they can be installed and ready to use within a couple of days. As mentioned before, the kiosks are very similar to a cash machine and are about the size of a soda pop machine. The devices come equipped with a color LCD screen, medical card acceptance slot, touchpad operation and even a phone handset that instantly connects the patient with a live pharmacist.
The new drug kiosks will initially be located in about 2000 locations across the Ontario area. The hospitals, and the manufacturer, PharmaTrust an Oakville, Ontario Company, anticipate the demand for the innovative machines to spread all cross Canada. The pharmacists that will be functioning behind the scenes of the kiosks are going to either be subcontractors that will pay PharmaTrust a fee for conducting business via this inventive new method. The concept is proving to be an ground-breaking one as pharmacists can conduct their business at a lower profit margin as they don’t have the overhead of maintaining a pharmacy or drugstore. The possibility to have these machines located in locations other than hospitals, like clinics, retail stores and even within the workplace, makes for a bright future indeed.
With soaring health-care cost worldwide, its innovations like these that will enable healthcare providers to keep costs low while providing excellent service. With cautious optimism, the Ontario Pharmacists Association has given its tentative endorsement. “We know we have to adapt to new technology, and these can be a useful tool,” said the association’s chief executive officer, Dennis Darby.
Ontario Hospitals' Newest Team Member, A Drug Dispensing Kiosk
Great idea, but what about all the jobs it will eliminate. We have enough unemployment as it is.
This sounds like a great advancement! Well, those people who are put out of work can go work for Pharmatrust in Oakville, who will be sure to need employees!
Profitability of these machines will unlikely be an issue. A statement from the CEO said that it would take 18 months for them to receive an actual profit.
Seeing how small rural pharmacies are crying out in Alberta and Ontario to the government to not cut the money they receive from generic companies (rebates), since it cuts into their bottom line and thus overal survival, these machines will spend more hiring a pharmacist and acquiring drugs then actually making a profit.
Most pharmacies these days earn money through the front store (i.e. other the counter medications, food, make up etc. in the aisles). Since the machine cannot offer any of these services, it is at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, how can a pharmacist counsel a patient on anything else besides the Rx in front of them. Where is the previous medical history going to be stored. What about refills? How will that work. What happens if a patient also wants to pick up OTC drugs, they will have to go to a real pharmacy.
The future of the pharmacy profession is not to work at desks, but will have to come from actual patient interaction, where a pharmacist can give vaccinations, medication reviews, extend prescriptions and workshops.
I have not been to a bank teller since 1985. I believe in this stuff! These machines will catch on like a wild fire.
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Now, how will the profits be defined? Who fills the machines? will a license required? Who is responsible in the eyes of the courts when the wrong pills in the wrong slot are dispensed? This will need to be governed to death to prevent ‘profit for nothing’ (a dispensing fee?).
Some drugs will attract thieves and crime like a magnet.
Popcorn please.
Medical marijuana?
Viagra?
Saves on internet delivery fees, taxis and Friends of friends growing and storing the stuff.
WILL THIS MACHINE CHECK THE INTERACTION AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS LIKE A TRUE PHARMACIST.
IF THIS IS GREAT IDEA THEN GOVT SHOULD THINK ABOUT KIOSK DOCTORS AS WELL. PATIENTS WILL SAVE LOTS OF TIME THIS WAY………