Hardware

Singapore pharmacy machine dispenses prescriptions

Image provided by iStock.

June 14, 2023

Patients at Changi General Hospital in Singapore can now buy prescriptions from a vending machine following teleconsultation, according to a Straight Times report.

The Pharmacy Smart Interface System, a pilot machine launched in April, is designed to improve the efficiency of pharmacists, while making it easier for patients to obtain medication for minor ailments.

OTC drugs can be bought at the machine without teleconsultation, while prescriptions are dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Customers enter their name and phone number into the system before getting a call from the pharmacist on duty.

After the consultation, the pharmacist prescribes the medicine which is added to the cart for checkout.

The pharmacist monitors the drugs being dispensed through a video camera.

Patient information is not be stored in the machine.

More than 100 patients used the machine in May.

The hospital has also introduced an automated drug storage and retrieval system that makes use of robot arms to retrieve medication which is packed and tagged in bins.

The drugs are then assembled by a pharmacist to dispense to patients at the counter.