The latest technology is taking Big "C" Discount Drugs back to the good old corner drug store days, when pharmacists had time for personalized service and counseling. The pharmacy staff of Big "C" Discount Drugs is now using the SP 200 Robotic Prescription Dispensing System from ScriptPro. The SP 200 has many safety features that ensure accurate medication dispensing.

The SP 200 performs the time consuming and tedious tasks of counting pills, filling vials and labeling prescriptions, using advanced robotics and automation. With ScriptPro automation, pharmacists have more time to answer questions and counsel their customers.

How does the robot work? Once a prescription is entered into a pharmacy computer system, the robotic arm of the SP 200 determines the correct size vial, then finds the specified drug. Using bar code scanning, it verifies the location of the drug. The robotic arm holds the vial and counts the pills as they are automatically dropped into the vial. The arm then places the vial on a short conveyer belt and the patient label is applied, complete with medication warning labels.

Bar code scanning is used throughout the system to assure that the correct drug is given to the patient. The pharmacist makes the final check for accuracy, comparing the pills in the vial with a computer screen image of the drug.

Pharmacists are pleased to have the SP 200 on staff. It never calls in sick or takes a vacation. The system counts and fills up to 100 prescriptions per hour, so customers get their medications promptly, even during peak pharmacy hours.

ScriptPro, located in Mission, Kansas, has installed thousands of these automated prescription dispensing systems worldwide.