New Automated Labelling and Packing Solutions Revealed at NEC Pharmacy Show

A comprehensive new range of scalable robotic labelling and packing systems from automated pharmacy dispensing specialist Centered Solutions™ will be unveiled for the first time in the UK at The Pharmacy Show at Birmingham NEC on Stand PD20.

Specifically developed to increase the accuracy and speed of prescription dispensing, Centred Solutions’ Intelligent Prescription Processing™ systems IPP-M3 and IPP-M1 are suitable for independent pharmacies, regional groups and large international chains. Each incorporates Centred Solutions’ unique robotic labelling capability.

Colin Hardy, Managing Director, Centred Solutions, says: “We have brought to market a selection of world-class script fulfilment systems that are changing the way prescriptions are dispensed by pharmacies. IPP-M3 is already in use by Lloyds Pharmacy at its Bristol and Warrington regional AAH distribution centres, delivering unmatched speed, efficiency, accuracy and reliability to the prescription pick and pack process.

“IPP supports an FMD compliant system, allowing the verification or decommissioning of packs on behalf of stores in real time. IPP’s operating system can also provide the required data to the National Medicines Verification System (NMVS). And operators are able to validate tamper seals on each and every pack before processing using our unique inbound singulation capability.”

IPP-M3 is capable of running at 70 packs per minute and has the capacity to process in excess of 1.7 million scripts per annum, or over 5.8 million script items per year on a five-day single shift operation.

IPP-M3’s operational cycle starts with inventory picked from the WMS or delivered from the wholesaler in ready to pack totes. Individual items are then placed on a conveyor belt, scanned and automatically labelled with the patient label. Labelled prescriptions are then automatically sorted by individual patient into separate bins and completed patient prescriptions are transported to a bagging station and bagged.

In addition to Centred Solutions’ IPP-M3 and IPP-M1, the company is introducing MDS Centrafil for blister pack applications, a fully automated, scalable push-through blister pack system.