Technology and
Automation in
Pharmaceutical Care
In the future) technologies that dispense
tnedications) ntanage patient information)
and evaluate drug therapies will free
pharmacists to provide expanded patient care.
by Bill G. Felkey, MS, and Kenneth N. Barker, PhD
Introduction This article explains the appropriate function of technology
in pharmacies and discusses how emerging technologies will
support current and future pharmacy practice roles. Table 1
With the rapid development of software and hardware appli- lists sources for technologies that may be of interest.
cations for pharmacy, future pharmacists will rely heavily on The repetitive aspects of product dispensing-a task that
technologies that will replace some current functions and technology performs effectively and economically-will soon
enable them to fulfill expanded roles. be automated in many U.S. health care settings. However, some
pharmacists fear technology, because it jeopardizes their
current dispensing role.
Pharmacy and Technology
by Christopher A. Rodo\Nskas Jr., PhD
Medical Informatics
The second installment of "Pharmacy Business in a
Changing Environment" brings you a comprehensive
review of how technology applies to pharmacy. In addi- Pharmacists will continue to manage drug distribution in the
tion, it contains a commentary on the personal interac- future , but more important, they will take a more patient-
tions required for the effective delivery of pharmaceutical focused role, in which perception, abstraction, emotion, unpre-
care. No one has taken the technology message to phar- dictability, contextual meaning, creativity, and judgment are
macists more often and more effectively than Bill G. required. 1 First, however, pharmacists must change the percep-
Felkey and Kenneth N. Barker of Auburn University. High- tions of patients and other health care providers who feel that
lighting the need to balance technology with humanistic drug distribution is the profession's sole function. Most profes-
concerns is the theme of a commentary by Robert S. sional pharmacy organizations believe that pharmacy's eco-
Beardsley of the University of Maryland. Both articles pro- nomic future lies in the provision of cognitive services. 2 This
vide a perspective on dealing with changes in the phar- service, known as phannaceutical care, provides drug therapy
macy environment. that achieves definite outcomes to improve a patient's quality
of life. 3
Christopher A. Rodowskas Jr. , PhD, is professor and assist- This patient-focused role is being made more feasible by
ant dean, College ofPharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, recent software advances. Much of this software has resulted
North Miami Beach, Fla. directly from the information science discipline called
medical informatics. Medical informatics is the application
Vol. 36, o. 5 May 1996 Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association
