Technology has transformed the health care landscape. Increased efficiency, improved patient care and enhanced productivity are just a few of the many positive advancements that technology has created for the pharmacy profession.
Although technology offers benefits for your business, adopting new technology also has a downside. With new advancements comes the need for your pharmacy to adapt to change, and to learn how to revise the roles and duties of your work.
Here’s a list of three pros and cons for you to consider before implementing new technology in your independent community pharmacy.
Pro: Technology can enhance pharmacy workflow and efficiency
Technology can create greater convenience for you and your staff, which can lead to improved workflow and efficiency. Technology, such as pill counters and pharmacy robots, can reallocate resources to other tasks that you may not have had time to do before.
Relying more on technology can decrease time spent on tedious tasks and increase time spent on duties humans must perform.
For example, investing in automation, such as a robotic prescription dispensing system, can free up time you once spent dispensing prescriptions. So, now you’ll have more time to counsel patients or administer vaccinations. Automation can also improve efficiency because it can virtually eliminate dispensing errors.
Con: Technology cannot replace you, the pharmacist
Although the addition of robotics can improve efficiency and productivity, a machine can never replace pharmacists.
Nothing beats the face-to-face, personal connection your independent community pharmacy already has to offer. If you implement a new technology that limits human interaction, patients may be reluctant to frequent your pharmacy.
Although robotics can enhance precision and accuracy, a machine isn’t trained to explain medication interactions, or give advice about adding a vitamin to a patient’s medication regimen.
Also, dependency on technology can lead to disaster in the case of malfunction. If your pharmacy heavily relies on automation, a system breakdown could lead to even less work productivity.
Pro: Technology can help increase your business’s profits
Using technology can potentially create new revenue streams for your pharmacy.
For example, expanding your business into telepharmacy can enable your pharmacy to add an additional location where you might never be able to start a full-service pharmacy.
Also, updating your payment process to include mobile pay or chip cards may help you attract a younger demographic. And, focusing your efforts on social media can help market your pharmacy.
Con: Technology can be an expensive
Adapting certain new technologies can be vital to the future success of your independent community pharmacy. But, some technologies come with significant start-up and maintenance costs.
Some computer software requires continuous upgrades, which may mean hefty payments each time the product is updated. Or, a robotic prescription dispensing system you purchased last year may already be considered out-of-date, meaning you need to pay for an upgrade in the next few years.
Pro: Technology can help you be at the forefront of innovation
Implementing technological advancements in your pharmacy can make your pharmacy business known as an innovative industry leader.
For example, offering diabetic patients mobile monitoring, an alternative to their previous finger stick glucose-monitoring device can differentiate your pharmacy from competitors.
Con: It can be difficult to implement new changes
While it’s critical to remain relevant and continuously innovate, innovation is not always so simple.
It takes many steps to innovate and implement change. And, when your business is used to doing things a certain way, it can be difficult to apply new changes or additions.
It’s important to know when, and what technologies your pharmacy is ready to add and how to overcome challenges to innovation.
Learn which technologies can be beneficial and time-saving for your pharmacy.
