June 1, 2021
PHC Corporation
TOKYO, June 1, 2021 - PHC Corporation (headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Kyoji Morimoto, hereafter PHC) launches the Smart Picker*1 ampoule dispensing system that helps to reduce dispensing errors and streamline pharmacist workflow for small and medium-sized hospitals in Japan.
With the role of pharmacists diversifying to include medication instructions and mixing anticancer drugs in hospitals, alongside a chronic shortage of pharmacists, small and medium-sized hospitals face an increased workload for ampoule dispensing. In addition, drug mix-ups and other assortment errors resulting from manual procedures can occur. In order to solve such problems, utilizing a system that automatically dispenses doses for each patient according to the prescription is now being considered by many hospitals. However, existing systems are designed for large hospitals, and are too big for smaller hospitals with limited space. Moreover, such systems lack the flexibility to respond to the needs of small and medium-sized hospitals in terms of ampoule type and quantities. A dedicated system optimized for such needs is required.
The new Smart Picker is a compact ampoule dispensing system specifically designed for small and medium-sized hospitals. While the previous model*2 separately dispensed drugs in ampoules, vials and plastic bottles from different units, the Smart Picker is integrated into a single unit, enabling significant space-saving. Installing PHC’s original barcode reading function*3 for RCC code*4 verification for each medication pick from the storage cassette helps prevent medication loading errors. Ampoules can even be supplemented to the drug storage cassette during dispensing, increasing efficiency. With these features, the system not only improves pharmacists’ dispensing workflow in small and medium-sized hospitals, but also reduces risks of dispensing errors caused by manual procedures, supporting safer delivery of the appropriate medications for patients.
Large-scale ampoule dispensing system and Smart Picker comparison
PHC is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation, a healthcare company that develops, manufactures, sells, and services solutions across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, as well as providing healthcare solutions in Japan. The newly launched Smart Picker will expand the pharmacy automation product portfolio for pharmacists in the PHC life sciences business.
Nobuaki Nakamura, corporate officer and co-head of the Life Sciences/Diagnostics Domain of PHC Holdings Corporation said, “Since we first launched our ampoule dispensing system in 2000, we have helped to streamline the ampoule preparation workflow for pharmacists in large hospitals through our high quality and durable systems. The new Smart Picker uses our expertise in this area to create a system that is tailor-made for small and medium-sized hospitals. It is equipped with features that leverage our original technologies that have been fostered in the factory automation industry. The Smart Picker will boost work efficiency for pharmacists at small and medium-sized hospitals and further reduce risks of medication errors to enable safer healthcare. As we aim to become the leading provider of best-in-class precision solutions in global life sciences and diagnostics, we will continue to contribute to better healthcare by offering solutions that satisfy the needs of healthcare professionals.”
*1 The system and related application software is sold by Konishi Medical Instruments Co., Ltd.
Product page on Konishi Medical Instruments website: www.kns-md.co.jp/company/concept.html (Japanese website)
*2 Full-sized system developed for large hospitals. Product details: www.phchd.com/jp/biomedical/pharmacy/dispensary/ampoulepicker (Japanese website)
*3 Patented by PHC as “バーコード照合ヘッド”.
*4 Standard bar code.
About PHC Holdings Corporation
Incorporated in 2014, PHC Holdings Corporation is a global healthcare company with subsidiaries including PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, Epredia, and LSI Medience Corporation. Committed to its corporate mission that states, “We contribute to the health of society through our diligent efforts to create healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people,” the company develops, manufactures, sells and services solutions across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, as well as providing healthcare solutions in Japan. The PHC Group’s consolidated net sales in FY2019 were 272 billion yen with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries.
www.phchd.com
About Biomedical Business Unit of PHC Corporation
Established in 1969, PHC Corporation is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation, a global healthcare company that develops, manufactures, sells, and services solutions across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, as well as providing healthcare solutions in Japan. The Biomedical Business Unit active in life sciences business helps scientists and researchers in over 110 countries through its laboratory and medical support equipment and services including CO2 incubators and ultra-low temperature freezers.
www.phchd.com/global/biomedical/about-phcbi
Media contact:
Corporate Communications Department
PHC Holdings Corporation
+81-3-6778-5311