5 Ways Technology Is Disrupting The Pharmacy Industry
The world was very much on its way to digitising almost every facet of life, with technological advancements altering our private lives, from how we shop, connect, relax, to even how we balance work with our personal space. We can certainly all agree that technology no longer lives in the ‘tech space.’
As such, it’s really not surprising that the way we live, and indeed, that entire industries have become unrecognisable from even just a few years ago. Take the pharmaceutical industry, for example.
Incorporating technology into the pharmacy sector has made it easier for pharma professionals to do their jobs and has vastly improved patient care services. There is no doubting that technology has helped the sector run better on many levels, including operational, functional, and clinical.
Let’s review 5 of the key ways in which technology has helped upgrade the pharmacy industry for the better:
- Immunisation Records
The responsibility for administering vaccines falls to medical professionals and pharmacists, who are already overworked, stretched thin, and struggling to keep up. Technology holds the answer to storing patients’ entire immunisation histories, enabling medical professionals to quickly access this information, allot a vaccine, and accurately record it. Essentially, the latest technology can aid in this process and make it go more quickly and efficiently.
- ePrescribing
The pharmaceutical (as well as the medical) industry is thought to benefit greatly from the introduction of ePrescribing, simply because of how this system practically guarantees that prescriptions are promptly and easily accessible. Using ePrescribing means that each patient requires less time and work, while also lowering the likelihood of a communication error. Moreover, it facilitates a quicker grasp of the prescribed medications by pharmacy staff, as well as alerting them to the presence or absence of potentially dangerous drug interactions.
We’re sure that we don’t have to tell you that this is no small advantage, especially in light of the fact that global costs associated with medication errors are estimated to sit at around US$42 billion annually.
- More Accuracy With Barcode IDs
Clearly there’s a greater need for accuracy when it comes to dealing with medications and patient histories. To that end, pharmacies can improve the precision of their medical administration by using barcode identification in conjunction with ePrescription. In addition to decreasing errors, barcode identification can also reduce the number of unauthorised medical transactions by making it possible to track the quantity and frequency of medications that are dispensed.
Overall, though, this approach helps patients by enhancing their medical histories and enabling concerned medical staff to more easily and quickly access the relevant, correct data.
- AI In Pharmaceutical Drug Development
While technology is certainly improving the accuracy with which patients are helped, thereby improving their health and their lives, this isn’t the only space in which technology is playing a bigger role.
In the biochemical industry, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to develop fresh approaches to the creation and administration of new drugs – and to develop better pharmaceutical drugs with the assistance of patients who are coping with medical issues. By performing simple tasks and saving the biochemists involved in the research time and energy, AI aids in their work and ensures that these scientists can focus on the development of novel and enhanced drug formulations.
- Telecare Reaches More Patients
With the introduction of technology in the pharmaceutical field, it is now possible to consult patients and prescribe medication through digital telecommunication. This is known as telecare, and it has the power to completely revolutionise both the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields.
The technology of telecare has helped to reduce both time and cost for the patients while access to quality healthcare is improved for the masses. This is particularly crucial in South Africa, where we have more people in rural areas who are unable to reach healthcare professionals, but may be able to take advantage of something like a connected telecare clinic, where community members can be trained to supervise the clinic and facilitate sessions with patients and healthcare providers via tablets and other smart devices.
Make A Huge Difference
The reality is that the pharmaceutical industry is rapidly changing and upgrading itself thanks to technology. And everyone can benefit from these advancements. At Huge Connect, we believe that technology can play a crucial role in the pharma industry.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of what technology has to offer your pharmacy, then get in touch. Huge Connect is made up of innovative, connectivity-driven experts who welcome the opportunity to help your pharmacy take advantage of the latest digital solutions by making sure you are more than adequately connected.
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