RxMike

New Automated Dispenser Released

// February 3rd, 2009 // Comments Off // Pharmacy General

Kirby Lester introduced the KL30 today at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Regional Chain Conference in Chandler, AZ.

The KL30 is a major advancement in saving time, steps and cost in a pharmacy. For the first time, Kirby Lester utilizes drug-specific cassettes to fully automate the hands-free dispensing of a pharmacy’s top 30 oral solid medications. (All other medications can simply be poured into the funnel as is done with other Kirby Lester counters.) The KL30 is based on the recently introduced KL20 “next-generation” platform. The KL20 was heralded by pharmacists and technicians alike as an indispensable technology platform.

The KL30 automates the dispensing of 100% of all oral solids with the combination cassette & pour-through methods. The 30 cassettes alone manage 25-30% of the orders in a typical retail pharmacy. In contrast, most robotic dispensers automate only 40-45% of orders, at a cost of 7-10 times the cost of a KL30. The KL30 will be offered for less than $20,000.

In addition to managing the dispensing of all tablets, the KL30 also automates the verification of 100% of all prescriptions, not just oral solids

Long Island Illustrates Healthcare is Recession Proof

// February 2nd, 2009 // Comments Off // Allied Health Education, Pharmacy General

Health care is considered one of the recession-proof job sectors of the economy – and with good reason.

According to the state Department of Labor, 2,500 educational and health services jobs were added on Long Island in the 12-month period ended in December. That’s while the trade, transportation and utilities sector lost 6,700 jobs in the same period and the professional and business-services sector shed 4,700 positions.

What’s more, continued growth in health care is projected, said Gary Huth, the department’s principal economist. Overall job growth on Long Island for the period 2006 to 2016 is projected to be 6.7 percent for all occupations, he said. Make that 14.1 percent for health care practitioner and technician jobs.

Among the jobs for which demand is expected to grow the most for that period: home health aides, up 42 percent; medical assistants, up 30.2 percent; pharmacy technicians, up 19.8 percent; nursing aides, orderlies, up 16.3 percent; and medical records, health information technicians, up 13 percent. (www.newsday.com)