Technology in pharmacy goes beyond operational improvements

Community pharmacies are expected to take on greater responsibilities to ease pressure on other healthcare services and meet growing patient demands. However, despite their expanding role, they continue to lack adequate financial support.

“While funding negotiations continue, one thing remains clear, technology is key to ensuring pharmacy can thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape,” said Harry McQuillan, chairman of Numark.

One of Numark’s 12 key principles states that technology must be embedded at the heart of pharmacy’s future to improve work efficiency, patient safety, and clinical care.

Harry acknowledged that the sector has already made great strides in adopting accuracy scanning and, to some extent, automation, making dispensing safer and more efficient.

However, he stressed that technology’s role should extend beyond operational improvements.

“It has the potential to revolutionise clinical decision-making, patient engagement, and integration with the wider healthcare system,” he stated.

Unlocking the potential of technology in pharmacy

Harry highlighted how technology can revolutionise pharmacy practice by:

• Enhancing clinical decision-making – Real-time access to shared patient records wil allow pharmacists to make more informed prescribing decisions, improving safety and continuity of care.
• Improving medication adherence – Artificial intelligence or machine learning-powered analytics can highlight potential adherence concerns, allowing timely interventions to prevent complications before they arise.
• Strengthening integration with healthcare providers – Integrated digital platforms can connect pharmacy services with GP practices and hospitals, ensuring patients move seamlessly between providers without delays or duplication.

“These are not distant possibilities; they are achievable advancements that will strengthen pharmacy’s role in delivering high-quality healthcare,” Harry stated

A woman using kiosk at pharmacy store gettyimages

Transforming pharmacy workflows with Golden Tote

One great example of how technology can transform pharmacy workflows is Numark’s Golden Tote solution.
“Golden Tote is a dispensing solution designed to streamline pharmacy operations by integrating order picking and dispensing into a single, efficient process,” Harry explained.

Let’s learn more about this technology from him.

How it works

Instead of manually selecting stock from the dispensary shelves, pharmacies receive pre-picked totes containing the exact medication needed for their patient’s prescriptions. The system uses barcode scanning and digital verification to ensure accuracy, reducing the risk of errors and improving efficiency.

What it was developed?

Introduced in 2020 as part of Numark’s broader strategy to enhance pharmacy automation and efficiency, Golden Tote was developed in response to increasing pressures on pharmacy workload, including rising prescription volumes, staffing challenges, and the need for greater accuracy in dispensing.

By automating stock selection and reducing manual intervention, Golden Tote helps pharmacies operate more efficiently.

Challenges addressed by Golden Tote

Golden Tote addresses several key challenges including:

• Reducing dispensing errors by using a barcode-scanned verification process.
• Improving efficiency by eliminating the need to manually pick and check stock.
• Reducing excess stock holding by ensuring pharmacies only receive what they need.
• Saving staff time by simplifying the dispensing process and freeing up capacity for patient-facing services.
• Enhancing patient safety through improved accuracy and streamlined workflows

Response from Numark members

The adoption of Golden Tote has been steadily increasing, with many Numark members integrating it into their daily operations, and uptake continues to grow as more pharmacies recognise its benefits.

Pharmacies using Golden Tote have reported:

• Up to a 49% reduction in stock holding due to more efficient inventory management.
• Increased dispensing speed, with some sites reporting saving up to 40hrs per week in a pharmacy doing 12,500 items.
• Fewer errors, as barcode scanning ensures accurate dispensing resulting in a 47% reduction in patient safety incidents.
• More time for patient care, as pharmacy teams spend less time on stock management and prescription assembly.

Numark recently launched a Group Solution in which the development of Golden Tote has been adapted to allow small, medium and large groups to tap into the solution.

Importance of leveraging data

As healthcare becomes increasingly data-driven, it is crucial for pharmacies to harness technology to demonstrate their value and secure long-term investment.

Harry emphasised that population health data can be used to pinpoint where pharmacy services make the biggest impact, from long-term condition management to urgent care interventions.

“Tracking service outcomes will provide further insights into how pharmacy is a gateway to the NHS, reduces pressure on GPs and hospitals, ensuring the sector’s role is recognised and appropriately funded,” he said.

“With automation supporting more efficient ways of working, technology will continue to prove that investment in pharmacy is an investment in better patient care.”

Pharmacist examining commissioning machine in pharmacy gettyimages

Funding: A key to unlocking pharmacy’s potential

While the sector is eager to embrace digital transformation, adequate funding remains essential.

“To fully realise this ambition, it’s important that funding decisions reflect the growing role of technology in modern pharmacy practice,” Harry stated.

He underscored the need to collaborate across the sector and engage with policymakers to create a future where pharmacy is “efficient, well-integrated, and empowered” to meet the challenges of modern healthcare.

He concluded: “At Numark, we believe that technology is not just an enabler, it is a foundation for the future of pharmacy.

“Those who invest in digital transformation today will be leading the sector tomorrow.

“Now is the time to ensure that pharmacy is equipped with the tools, support, and investment to make that vision a reality.”