| "We have lots of requests from retailers to open telepharmacies," said Anderson, who said they meet the needs of consumers living in remote locations that are not able economically to support a full pharmacy. "Thrifty-White had the vision of opening telepharmacies three years ago." Two companies that make automated prescription dispensing systems, Telepharmacy Solutions, a division of AmeriSource Bergen, and Mendota Healthcare say they have a system that would work within that model, and both are talking to chain and independent pharmacy retailers about putting the technology into stores.
According to Ken Rosenblum, the chief executive officer of Minnetonka, Minn.-based Mendota Healthcare, which makes an automated prescription dispensing system called InstyMeds, two chains with pharmacies, a mass merchandiser and a food store, both in the top five slots in their industries in terms of sales volume, are in discussions with Mendota to test InstyMeds in pilots that could start within the next six months.
And according to Carl Geberbauer, director of sales and marketing for North Billerica, Mass.-based Telepharmacy Solutions, an AmeriSourceBergen company that markets a proprietary automated prescription dispenser under the brand name ADDS, the company is talking with numerous independent pharmacy operators about installing ADDS units in clinics, physician offices and retail stores within the next three to four months.
Jody Doe, who opened his first telepharmacy in Beach, ND, last September and his second in New England, ND, last November, said his decision to try telepharmacy was promoted by the needs of the people living in rural communities. |
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