Onscreen Instructions

Most of us think of pill counting as the primary work in filling scripts in the modern pharmacy.  That is probably not correct as the actual entry of the script into the Pharmacy management System (PMS) may well take more time to accomplish.  Once the script is entered the PMS generates a label package that becomes the process driver unless the pharmacy has a full robotic machine on site. If the script calls for a drug that the Robot has in one of its drug cells, and the unit is capable of picking up a selected empty vial of the correct size (usually a choice of 2 or 3 sizes) and delivering it to a labeling station where the label is printed and applied, then the PMS will send the script info to the Robot.  These robots are used for the top 100 to 200 drugs depending upon the script volume per day.  The scripts that call for drugs in the balance of the formulary are sent forward to be filled manually (usually more than 50% of scripts representing 80%+ of the formulary).