Urgent care clinics and emergency departments are increasingly installing automated medication dispensing machines to address pharmacist shortages, particularly in rural areas, HealthLeaders Mediareports.
In addition, the automated prescription dispensing machines can give pharmacy staff more time to interact with patients or work with more complex medications. The machines are not seen as a replacement to a pharmacist and typically do not dispense prescriptions that require regular refills.
One company, InstyMeds, has installed about 200 automated medication machines in urgent-care clinics and emergency departments throughout the U.S.
While interest in the technology appears to be increasing, some states regulate or prohibit the use of such machines (Bakhtiari, HealthLeaders Media, 5/11).
