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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:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Pharmacy Staff | Mental Health Resources | Rising Stress Levels. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. https://nabp.pharmacy/initiatives/pharmacy-practice-safety/mental-healt…
- World Health Organization. Global Burden of Preventable Medication-Related Harm in Health Care. World Health Organization; 2024.
- 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
- 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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Industry News
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Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), a gene therapy company wholly owned and independently operated as a subsidiary of Bayer AG, today announced that AB-1003 (also known as LION-101) has received rare pediatric disease designation and orphan-drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I/R9 (LGMD2I/R9).
FDA grants rare pediatric disease designation to incentivize the development of new treatments for serious and life-threatening diseases that primarily affect children aged 18 years or younger, with fewer than 200,000 people affected in the US. If AB-1003 is approved, AskBio may qualify for a priority review voucher based on receipt of this designation. A priority review voucher can be applied to another therapy in the company’s pipeline, enabling a shorter review timeline during marketing application review or can be sold and transferred to another company.
Orphan designation provides orphan status to drugs and biologics for rare diseases that meet certain criteria and potentially gives a company exclusive marketing rights for a seven-year period, along with other benefits.
“These designations for AB-1003 are clear recognition of the significant unmet medical need in LGMD, including type 2I/R9, which is the focus of AskBio’s clinical program and for which there is no approved therapy,” said Canwen Jiang, MD, PhD, Chief Development Officer and Chief Medical Officer, AskBio. “The burden of this rare form of muscular dystrophy on patients and their families is profound, and these decisions support our efforts to potentially bring a new therapeutic option to people living with the 2I/R9 type of this devastating disease.”
LGMD2I/R9 is a form of LGMD caused by changes in the FKRP gene and is associated with weakness and wasting of arm and leg muscles. People living with LGMD2I/R9 may notice symptoms including loss of mobility, impaired heart or lung function. These symptoms can occur in school age and younger children. As symptoms worsen, individuals generally require wheelchairs. LGMD2I/R9 is a rare disease, estimated to affect fewer than 5,000 people in the US. Currently, there is no treatment that modifies disease progression, and management is based on the signs and symptoms present in each individual.
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