The most common circumstance for us to receive enquiry about our automated sachet packaging machine is when pharmacy is already supplying sachets via 3rd party and starts to wonder if it would make sense to start producing sachets in-house. This may be prompted due to growth in volume or perhaps exploring the ability to respond to medication changes quickly.
The following 5 factors are worth considering in this circumstance (in no particular order):
1. Volume and growth potential
From financial perspective, the number of patients will determine whether in-house or 3rd party is more economical. The breakeven point may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, but will typically be somewhere in the 200 to 300 patients range. Once automation is implemented at this point, every incremental patient will be significantly more economical to pack in-house, up to approximately 2,000 patients per machine.
2. Available space in the pharmacy
Packing in-house requires more space in the pharmacy. Although the requirements are not large, space will need to be provisioned for the machine, medication stock, deblistering space along with some bench space for various production tasks.
3. Staff requirements
In house medication packing will require technician(s) to operate the machine, deblister medications etc. Starting with initial low volumes, this may mean additional or existing staff for one day per week to produce all patient rolls.
4. Control over pouch labels/information
In-house medication packing allows for easy modification of pouch label graphics and information – which can be setup to vary from home to home and for community patients. This may present opportunities for feedback on displayed information from residential aged care facilities to be implemented and tested quickly.
5. Speed with which medication changes can be produced
In-house medication packing allows for medication changes to be implemented as soon as they are received.
If your pharmacy is thinking about adding sachet packing in-house, here are some options for your consideration
Janek Pendrakowski is the resident Willach expert in sachet and checking robotics having assisted numerous pharmacy businesses and Government Health Department across Australia gain scale and efficiencies in their business operations. in on 0418-385-788 who can assist you in determining if this option is right for your business
