blueprints
Organizational Procedure
Oct 14, 2024

Pharmacy design is evolving, driven by advancements in technology, a deeper understanding of workflow optimization, and an increased focus on medication safety and staff well-being. The future of pharmacy design depends on a comprehensive approach that integrates state-of-the-art technology, ergonomic principles, and a patient-centered mindset. This article explores the trends and key considerations shaping the pharmacy of tomorrow, highlighting how strategic design improvements can enhance efficiency, ensure safety, and improve patient outcomes.

Embracing Technological Advancements

Integration of cutting-edge technology is paramount in modern pharmacy design. As pharmacy operations expand and grow in complexity, leveraging technology is critical to function. Automated dispensing systems, robotic medication management, and advanced inventory tracking should not be futuristic concepts, but indispensable components of an efficient pharmacy. These technologies streamline operations, reduce errors, and allow staff to focus on patient care.

Impact of Technology on Pharmacy Operations

  • Reduced Medication Errors: One study reported a 63% decrease in potential adverse drug events and a 96% relative reduction in dispensing errors after implementation of barcode technology in a hospital pharmacy.1
  • Increased Efficiency: One hospital pharmacy achieved a 7-minute turnaround time and an average accuracy of 99.48% after implementation of an automated dispensing system.2
  • Inventory Optimization: Upgrading dispensing technology and properly managing automated dispensing cabinets can decrease inventory stockouts and generate significant cost savings through enhanced inventory management.3

Prioritizing Ergonomics and Staff Well-Being

The physical design of a pharmacy must prioritize staff well-being, as studies show that employee satisfaction is linked to higher customer satisfaction.4 Ergonomically designed workstations analogous to airplane cockpits reduce physical strain and increase productivity. Poor working conditions have been shown to contribute to medication errors.5 Survey data found that pharmacy personnel who are at risk of experiencing high distress have a twofold risk of making a medication error.6 Intentional staff-centered design can mitigate these risks.

Designing for Medication Safety and Regulatory Compliance

Good workflows significantly impact medication and patient safety, so it should come as no surprise that safe medication practices should be at the forefront of pharmacy design. In a global systematic review, the World Health Organization reported a 5% prevalence of preventable medication-related harm.7 One study at an academic hospital observed that 21% of medication errors went undetected by pharmacists during verification.8 Designing workflows that emphasize safety, combined with a commitment to regulatory compliance, ensures patient protection.

Enhancing Collaboration and Communication

Effective communication and collaboration among pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals are essential for delivering high-quality care. Convenient access to patient data improves medication management and reduces errors stemming from miscommunication. Pharmacy design should incorporate spaces and workstation lines of sight that facilitate teamwork and information sharing. Quiet workspaces that promote concentration and minimal interruptions are crucial for tasks that require high levels of focus. Distractions are linked to 45% of medication errors.9

Conclusion

Thoughtful pharmacy design has immense potential to transform healthcare and pharmacy operations. By embracing technology, prioritizing ergonomics, ensuring medication safety, and fostering collaboration, we can create efficient pharmacy environments that deliver high-quality patient care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

 

References:

  1. Poon EG, Cina JL, Churchill W, et al. Medication Dispensing Errors and Potential Adverse Drug Events before and after Implementing Bar Code Technology in the Pharmacy. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2006;145(6):426. doi:https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-145-6-200609190-00006
  2. Temple J, Ludwig B. Implementation and evaluation of carousel dispensing technology in a university medical center pharmacy. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2010;67(10):821-829. doi:https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp090307
  3. Labuhn J, Almeter P, McLaughlin C, Fields P, Turner B. Supply chain optimization at an academic medical center. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2017;74(15):1184-1190. doi:https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp160774
  4. Chamberlain A, Zhao D. The Key to Happy Customers? Happy Employees. Harvard Business Review. Published August 19, 2019. https://hbr.org/2019/08/the-key-to-happy-customers-happy-employees
  5. Pharmacy Workplace and Well-Being Reporting (PWWR) PWWR Report X Second Quarter 2024. American Pharmacists Association; 2024:1-11. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://www.pharmacist.com/Advocacy/Well-Being-and-Resiliency/pwwr
  6. Pharmacy Staff | Mental Health Resources | Rising Stress Levels. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. https://nabp.pharmacy/initiatives/pharmacy-practice-safety/mental-healt…
  7. World Health Organization. Global Burden of Preventable Medication-Related Harm in Health Care. World Health Organization; 2024.
  8. Cina JL, Gandhi TK, Churchill W, et al. How Many Hospital Pharmacy Medication Dispensing Errors Go Undetected? The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. 2006;32(2):73-80. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s1553-7250(06)32010-7
  9. Cohen MR, Smetzer JL. Safe Practice Environment Chapter Proposed by United States Pharmacopeia; Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim and Lisinopril Hyperkalemia. Hospital Pharmacy. 2009;44(3):210-213. doi:https://doi.org/10.1310/hpj4403-210
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Oct 01, 2024

In hospital settings, medication reconciliation stands as a cornerstone in patient safety efforts, ensuring accurate medication histories and preventing adverse drug events. Pharmacy technicians play a pivotal role in this process, offering indispensable support to pharmacists and healthcare teams. As hospital pharmacy leaders and executives navigate the complexities of healthcare delivery, harnessing the full potential of pharmacy technicians in medication reconciliation becomes paramount for optimizing patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Techdow Logo
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In June of 2023, Techdow USA Inc., a division of the Hepalink Group, successfully launched Enoxaparin Sodium (Enoxaparin) in multiple strengths of pre-filled syringes. Techdow USA’s Enoxaparin is critically needed and will be used primarily in the outpatient setting to treat and prevent harmful deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Techdow USA’s parent company, the Hepalink Group, is a global leader in naturally extracted active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and finished drugs that sources from an extremely diverse and robust supply chain network. 

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Sep 03, 2024

Pharmacy technicians are the backbone of successful pharmacy operations. In health system inpatient pharmacies, they handle complex tasks such as sterile compounding, inventory management, controlled substance security, automation oversight, and handling of hazardous medications. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure patients receive safe and quality pharmaceutical care. The ongoing shortage of qualified pharmacy technicians is a significant barrier to progress in an evolving healthcare landscape in the era of technological revolution.

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Oct 24, 2024

Ify Igbunike, Director of Pharmacy Services at University of Maryland Midtown Campus, sat down with Pharmacy Angle to discuss value-based pharmacy practices and narcotic diversion prevention. She shares valuable insights on implementing evidence-based care, the role of behavioral assessments in managing controlled substances, and the complexities of regulatory compliance. Watch the full interview to gain expert knowledge on navigating today's healthcare challenges.

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Oct 10, 2024

In this insightful interview, Alex Kardos, Corporate Director of Pharmacy Services at RX Holding Hospital, discusses his role overseeing pharmaceutical operations across 126 sites. He highlights the challenges of navigating regulatory pressures, drug shortages, and staffing issues while emphasizing the growing importance of driving revenue in outpatient settings. Kardos shares how his team balances these demands by leveraging peer insights and vendor partnerships to improve efficiency and compliance.

Executive Insights
Oct 01, 2024

Dr. Rabiah Dys, Senior Vice President of Clinical Services and Program Development at CPS, shared insights at ASHP on her role and passion for advancing health equity. She emphasized the importance of improving health literacy by helping patients understand their diagnoses and care plans, starting at hospital admission. Dr. Dys also highlighted the need for better continuity of care between hospital discharge and community pharmacy settings to ensure patients can manage their health effectively.

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Sep 26, 2024

Last fall, Jennifer Biar, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Prisma Health, sat down with Pharmacy Angle, sharing her journey in pharmacy leadership, which began unexpectedly during her 27-year tenure at the organization. She highlighted the evolution of healthcare, from single hospitals to large systems, and discussed how pharmacies are now focusing not only on reducing costs but also on generating revenue. Jennifer also emphasized the importance of advocacy for the pharmacy profession, especially for pharmacists to be recognized as providers.

White oxy pills
Oct 29, 2024

PRINCETON, N.J - Protega Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ROXYBOND™ (oxycodone hydrochloride) immediate-release (IR) CII 10 mg tablet for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. ROXYBOND is the first and only FDA-approved abuse-deterrent IR 10 mg oxycodone formulation that is expected to reduce abuse by intranasal and intravenous routes.

ROXYBOND is formulated with SentryBond™ abuse-deterrent technology. This patented technology combines inactive excipients with active pharmaceutical ingredients to make the tablet more difficult to manipulate for misuse and abuse, even if it is subjected to physical manipulation and/or chemical extraction. SentryBond is designed to maintain the intended release profile of extended-release (ER) products and delay the release of IR products.

"The FDA approval of ROXYBOND 10 mg with SentryBond is a significant milestone for Protega and fulfills an unmet need for an IR opioid with abuse-deterrent technology that may reduce misuse and abuse while providing pain relief to medically appropriate patients when used as indicated," said Paul Howe, Chief Commercial Officer of Protega. "When manipulated, our innovative technology renders the pill more difficult to misuse or abuse, such as being cut or crushed to snort or inject."

Protega's SentryBond technology is a first-of-its-kind abuse-deterrent patented technology. It is designed to provide multiple levels of protection that resist physical manipulation, chemical extraction, and manipulation or transformation for injection. Protega's proprietary SentryBond technology platform could potentially be utilized in other medications to help deter misuse and abuse, e.g., hydromorphone, hydrocodone, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications. While these uses are currently not available and require FDA approval, the technology can help in a variety of medications.

"The development of ROXYBOND with SentryBond is a step forward in fighting the national epidemic of prescription opioid overdose," said Eric Kinzler, Ph.D., VP Medical and Regulatory Affairs for Protega. "Protega is dedicated to our mission to block the path to abuse and work with healthcare professionals across the continuum of care to reduce misuse and abuse. We look forward to responsibly launching ROXYBOND 10 mg and advancing our innovative technology platform for potential application in other commonly abused prescription medications."

More than 2000 in vitro tests were conducted to demonstrate ROXYBOND tablets were difficult to manipulate vs oxycodone IR, this data, along with the results of the human abuse potential study, suggest that the physicochemical properties of ROXYBOND are expected to reduce abuse via the intranasal and intravenous routes of administration. However, abuse is still possible by intranasal, intravenous, and oral routes.

In addition to the FDA approval for the 10 mg tablet, ROXYBOND was previously approved and is already available in 5 mg, 15 mg, and 30 mg tablets. Protega plans to launch ROXYBOND 10 mg before the end of the year, providing clinicians with another risk mitigation tool they can use when treating patients with severe pain.

The addition of ROXYBOND 10 mg can enhance flexibility and precision in opioid therapy, aiming to support both physicians and patients in achieving more effective and safer pain management outcomes. For patients, the range of doses can provide better pain control, reduce the risk of side effects, and provide a smoother transition during dosing transitions. For physicians, it can allow for more flexible dosing for pain levels, better titration, and help optimize risk management across diverse patient populations.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its recommendation for the pneumococcal vaccine, lowering the suggested starting age from 65 to 50. This change, announced by CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, reflects the increased risk of pneumococcal infections as adults age, with a goal to enhance protection against serious pneumococcal diseases for middle-aged adults.

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Oct 22, 2024

NORTH CHICAGO, IL — AbbVie recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved VYALEV™ (foscarbidopa and foslevodopa) as the first and only subcutaneous 24-hour infusion of levodopa-based therapy for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).

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Oct 21, 2024

SAVANNAH, GA - Johnson & Johnson recently announced positive results from the Phase 2/3 Vibrance-MG study of nipocalimab in anti-AChR positive adolescents (aged 12 – 17 years) living with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Study participants who were treated with nipocalimab plus standard of care (SOC) achieved sustained disease control as measured by the primary endpoint of immunoglobulin G  (IgG) reduction from baseline over 24 weeks, and secondary endpoints of improvement in MG-ADLand QMG scores.