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With Automated Pharmacy Dispensing Systems, Florida Makes Prescription Access Easier Than Ever

By passing a new bill allowing automated prescription kiosks, Florida is leading the way to improving patient access to prescription medications.

August 27, 2020

In a move to improve patient access to prescriptions, Florida has recently passed legislation that expands the use of automated pharmacy pickup solutions.

On June 30^th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 59/SB 708, allowing community pharmacies to dispense medication through automated prescription pickup systems. While automated kiosks were previously authorized for use in long-term care facilities and correctional facilities in Florida, this new law allows a much broader deployment of this type of technology.

HB 59 / SB 708 does not limit the use of an automated prescription kiosk to the physical pharmacy but permits the deployment anywhere that improves patient access to prescriptions, including medical facilities, large employer workplaces, and rural areas.

Why Do Automated Pharmacy Dispensing Systems Matter?

A self-service kiosk, such as the Bell and Howell QuickCollect Rx, can streamline routine medications’ storage and distribution. This frees up pharmacy staff to focus on other, more crucial, clinical activities.

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacies play a critical role in virus testing, treatment, and future immunizations. Certain states, such as New York, are putting in place measures that will allow pharmacists to provide the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. These efforts, however, will only increase the staffing challenges that pharmacies already face.

The pandemic has also changed the way that patients and consumers interact with and choose to shop with local businesses. Even in a post-pandemic world, 80% of Americans expect local businesses to continue offering contactless services. Automating the prescription pickup process allows patients the contactless convenience they desire, on their schedule.