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ITOKI CORPORATION (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koji Minato) conducted a verification of the efficiency of dispensing operations at "Kusuri no Fukutaro Yachiyodai Nishiguchi Store" (Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture), which has introduced the automated drug picking system "DAP with MediMonitor".

As a result, temporary/newly assigned pharmacists achieved a 60.0% reduction in medication picking time, while experienced pharmacists working at the store saw a 32.6% reduction. This confirmed that temporary pharmacists could perform at a level close to that of pharmacists working at the store, leading to the standardization of dispensing tasks, which tend to rely heavily on experience and memory, and reducing the burden of training.

Prescription dispensing operations consist of (1) receiving medication and preparing medication bags, (2) checking patient medication history and reviewing prescriptions, (3) counting and dispensing medications, (4) auditing, and (5) dispensing medications and providing medication guidance. This time, the Fukutaro Pharmacy Yachiyodai West Exit store conducted an evaluation focusing on (3) counting and dispensing and (4) auditing. In the evaluation, the time taken from the start of picking prescription medications to completion was measured for pharmacists working at the store, as well as for pharmacists providing support from other stores and newly assigned pharmacists.

As a result, the average dispensing time for pharmacists working in stores was reduced from 2 minutes 38 seconds to 1 minute 46 seconds, a reduction of 32.6%, while for support/new pharmacists, it was reduced from 4 minutes 33 seconds to 1 minute 49 seconds, a reduction of 60.0%. This confirmed that support pharmacists could perform their duties at a level close to that of pharmacists working in stores, leading to the standardization of dispensing tasks, which tend to rely heavily on experience and memory, and a reduction in the burden of training.

Furthermore, it is expected that the time freed up by streamlining object-oriented tasks can be used for person-oriented tasks such as medication guidance and home visits, which involve interacting with patients.

In recent years, the dispensing pharmacy industry has faced challenges such as a shortage of pharmacists and intensified competition for their recruitment. While the "0402 notification" of 2019 allowed non-pharmacists to perform some drug picking tasks under certain conditions, there are approximately 13,000 prescription drugs, and the risk of errors such as mix-ups remains. Furthermore, against the backdrop of an aging population and the expanding need for home healthcare, pharmacists are required to strengthen their interpersonal skills, such as providing medication guidance and conducting home visits, which involve direct interaction with patients.

At Kusuri no Fukutaro, we have been reviewing our automated equipment with the aim of achieving both labor savings and improved safety in dispensing operations. In this context, "DAP with MediMonitor" was highly valued for its space-saving and expandable design, as well as its error prevention functions while keeping installation and operating costs low. It also aligns well with our measures to optimize personnel costs and promote task sharing with medical office staff, such as shifting some of pharmacist duties to non-pharmacists, which led to its adoption.

"DAP with MediMonitor" streamlines tasks related to physical objects, such as "finding" and "gathering" prescription drugs. It eliminates the need to memorize drug storage locations and reduces walking distance, thus reducing physical and mental burden.

Furthermore, the time saved can be dedicated to interpersonal tasks such as medication guidance, patient follow-up, and home visits. In addition, by reducing waiting times, it contributes to creating an environment where patients can more easily receive medication explanations.

"DAP with MediMonitor" is an automated drug picking system that uses small robots to automatically transport drug trays. Once data is entered into the claims processing computer, the corresponding drug trays are automatically transported and can be retrieved from the loading/unloading area. In addition to automated drug transport, it is equipped with weight auditing, audit support, and record keeping functions, supporting improved efficiency and safety in drug picking operations.

Applying logistics automation technology to "pharmaceutical shelves"
This product was developed by applying the technology of "Systema Streamer SAS," a shuttle-type automated warehouse system that Itoki has been providing to factories and logistics facilities for over 40 years. "Systema Streamer SAS" has been used in various fields for many years as a system that automates "item sorting" and "picking" in the logistics process. By extending the automation technology cultivated in the logistics field to the medical field, Itoki is supporting the realization of a new pharmacy management model in an era of pharmacist shortages.

Reference video (SAS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-a7ChdvgVo

Address: 1-6-1 Yachiyodai Nishi, Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture 276-0034
Opening hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Saturdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Product introduction page
https://www.itoki.info/products/other/dap/

Related press releases
We will launch "DAP with MediMonitor," an automated drug picking system for pharmacies that contributes to preventing errors in drug picking operations and addressing the shortage of pharmacists, in April 2025.
https://www.itoki.jp/company/news/2024/1023_dap/