News

Growth in pharmacy automation aided by medical marijuana industry

July 25, 2014

Last year the pharmacy automation systems market was predicted to grow to $7.8 billion by 2018, having been valued at 4.7 billion globally in 2011. But that market gain of more than 65 percent does not include figures for the rapidly growing legal marijuana industry, which, according to CNBC, could grow to $10.2 billion, kiosk and vending machine manufacturer AVT Inc. said in a recent press release.

The earlier prediction was made in a report published March 20, 2013, by Transparency Market Research and reported on by Pharmacy Times. AVT, which makes automated retailing solutions, micro-stores, kiosks and vending machines, said it has seen an uptick in interest in pharmacy automation and recently announced a new medication dispensary. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends automated medication dispensers for their safety and proficiency at reducing errors, AVT said.

AVT CEO James Winsor said in the announcement that his company has seen in increase in interest in automated medicine dispensing systems across the country, and the rapidly growing health care and legal marijuana industries should help keep the demand for automated dispensing systems growing.