Local drug dispensing ‘robot’ revolutionizing the health sector
The local pharmaceutical industry is going through a major technological transformation since the introduction of the Automated Dispensing System, better known as ‘the robot’, by Tecnyfarma Namibia.
Tecnyfarma Namibia is part of a global company, Tecnyfarma International that specializes in the design, manufacturing and installation of pharmacy and hospital interiors as well as automated dispensing systems customized to individual pharmacy and hospital practices.
The company late last year in a statement said ‘the robot’ was introduced in 2017 when it installed the very first dispensing robot in the country at the Oshakati Pharmacy.
According to the company, Rhino Park Private Hospital and Lady Pohamba Private Hospital (LPPH) were the first hospital pharmacies to install the automated dispensers.
General Manager of the LPPH, Hannelie Botha said the robot was installed and is operational at the hospital and it has been the best thing that happened to the pharmacy since January 2016 when the hospital opened its doors.
“I am overwhelmed and very excited at what this new addition to our operations already means for the patient,” she added.
Botha said the patients are served faster and more effectively, as the robot, with a speed of 5 meters per second ensembles the order, to allow the pharmacist to spend quality time with the patient.
Elwin Burger, the Managing Director of Tecnyfarma Namibia said one of the biggest advantages of the system is effective product management thanks to impeccable control of the stored stock.
“The smart system guarantees that the dispensed medicines comply with the expiry dates, avoiding obsolescence according to the First-Expired-First-Out Principle,” added Burger.
Meanwhile, the company said the International Pharmacy, Medicine World, Khabuser Pharmacy in Keetmanshoop and Oukolele Pharmacy in Ongwediva are in the adoption process, and expect to have the robot up and running by mid-2019.
