Pharmacy Automation: From Pallet to Pill
KNAPP raises pharmacy supply to a whole new level with modern pharmacy automation from goods-in to patient-specific dispensing Pharmacies, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacy service centers all gain time for their key services: providing personal consultation and making sure patients have the medicine they need.
Pharmacy automation for more time and quality
Pharmacy logistics proves its value by working smoothly behind the scenes. KNAPP automates every step – from goods-in to patient-specific dispensing – and transforms complex processes into a precision-orchestrated system. Error rates go down with intelligent image recognition and serialized labeling, while the team has more time for consulting with customers instead of being bogged down with routine tasks.
KNAPP automation systems stand for networked, secure and scalable processes that bring lasting positive change to pharmacies and healthcare facilities, visibly raising the quality of care.
From the broadest portfolio in the industry: Equipped for all challenges
Our technology platform is ready to address new demands arising in the sector: Rising B2B expectations, digital prescriptions, reliable supply and all of the things a growing pharmacy chain requires. The modular system behind it handles everything from compact retail backend and powerful online fulfillment structures to hub and spoke networks and fully automatic blister units formed directly from original blister pack.
This translates into powerful, scalable logistics ecosystems that raise operational efficiency, standardize processes and secure a clear technological head start for pharmacy organizations – making them profitable, fit for the future and ready for growth.
Bernd Angerer, Matthias Dalkner,
Martin Steiner
Vice Presidents, Healthcare Solutions
#passion4pharmacy
Are you interested in efficient automation solutions for healthcare warehouses?
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Pharmacy automation: Our solution portfolio
Hub-and-spoke – central prescription preparation for maximum efficiency.
A central hub is the modern model for pharmacy automation. It automates preparation, filling and patient-specific packaging with standardized processes, low rates of error and maximum supply reliability. Pack2Patient neatly combines precision identification, labeling and prescription-based sorting as well as packing individual items in an end-to-end process.
ATD and KMeD in contrast both reliably separate pills for slow and fast-moving items. For medications with the highest throughput rates, the Central Belt System with SDA ejectors combined with an automated small parts warehouse such as the Evo Shuttle and KNAPP’s KiSoft software provides a central-fill workflow that is controlled and traceable end-to-end. This forms an ideal foundation for sustainable pharmacy logistics.
A powerful central distribution center for pharmacy chains significantly relieves the burden on the local pharmacies, leading to noticeable gains in efficiency not only for pharmacy chains, but also for healthcare organizations, hospital networks and large mail-order pharmacies with high prescription volumes.
Online pharmacy (mail order) – high-performance, GDP-compliant B2C fulfillment
Rising B2C expectations and extensive product ranges need progressive pharmacy automation. Automated storage and picking systems precisely fulfill individual orders while creating complete documentation of lots and expiry dates. An automated small parts warehouse such as the Evo Shuttle offers high storage density and rapid access for growing product ranges. The Central Belt System with SDA ejectors picks fast-movers rapidly, while the AutoPocket pocket sorter system is able to sequence individual items with seamless traceability. Pick it Easy work stations provide the necessary ergonomics for error-free picking, while the software platform KiSoft controls every step in pharmacy logistics, also covering stock, quality and tracking.
This results in powerful, scalable B2C fulfillment ideal for online pharmacies, pharmaceutical wholesalers with e-commerce segments and pharmacy chains with an omnichannel strategy that want to use a modern central distribution center or an efficient hub-and-spoke setup
Brick and mortar pharmacies automate the back office of smaller locations
Future-oriented pharmacy automation supports the team where it counts the most: in the back office. A pharmacy dispensing robot is completely integrated and can store, manage and dispense medicine packs precisely and space-effectively. The technology reduces routine work, freeing up time for personal consultation and other pharmacy services. For pharmacies with limited space, the dispensing robot forms the technical heart of efficient pharmacy logistics and can also be used as a compact central distribution center for pharmacy chains.
Ideal for independent pharmacies, pharmacy chains and pharmacies with a lot of customer contact that want to benefit from modernizing and automating their processes, whether for a local brick and mortar pharmacy or an expanded hub-and-spoke network.
Automated deblistering of original blister packs for re-packing in patient-specific blister packs
The D³ Daily Dose Dispenser System is setting new standards in pharmacy automation: It packs pills into blister packs for each individual patient straight from the original blister packaging in a completely automated, perfectly hygienic process. The result is significantly reduced error rates and seamless traceability of every filled blister cell.
The solution is ideal for high volumes of patients and prescriptions and supports central supply concepts as well as modern pharmacy logistics – for example in a central distribution center for pharmacy chains or as a component of efficient network structures.
Perfect for blister centers, nursing homes, hospitals and pharmacy chains that need a reliable, efficient and scalable solution.
References:
Peak Pharmacy – Hub-and-Spoke
Limedika online pharmacy
Peak Pharmacy banks on central pharmacy automation to process prescriptions efficiently and error-free. Within the hub, technologies like the Pack2Patient and Central Belt System handle the preparation, labeling and sorting of maintenance medications automatically – maximizing process reliability and providing valuable support to their branch pharmacies.
Pharmaceutical wholesaler Limedika optimized their B2C fulfillment with efficient pharmacy automation: AutoPocket, the Central Belt System and GDP compliant processes allow Limedika to process thousands of individual orders with complete tracking of serial and lot numbers. This solution is ideal for growing online pharmacies and omnichannel models.
Lind Apotheke – local brick and mortar pharmacy
MicuraPharm – automatic deblistering into patient-specific blister packs
Lind Apotheke has automated their back office processes with an automated pharmacy dispensing system by KNAPP. The solution includes the putaway, management and dispensing of medicinal products, reduces error rates and frees up valuable time for consultation – a prime example of modern pharmacy automation.
MicuraPharm uses the D³ Daily Dose Dispenser System to automatically create patient-specific blister packaging directly from the original blister packs. The combination of the KNAPP Store, closed process chains and complete documentation provides the highest efficiency and quality in the central supply of medicinal products.
References:
Peak Pharmacy – Hub-and-Spoke
Peak Pharmacy banks on central pharmacy automation to process prescriptions efficiently and error-free. Within the hub, technologies like the Pack2Patient and Central Belt System handle the preparation, labeling and sorting of maintenance medications automatically – maximizing process reliability and providing valuable support to their branch pharmacies.
Limedika online pharmacy
Pharmaceutical wholesaler Limedika optimized their B2C fulfillment with efficient pharmacy automation: AutoPocket, the Central Belt System and GDP compliant processes allow Limedika to process thousands of individual orders with complete tracking of serial and lot numbers. This solution is ideal for growing online pharmacies and omnichannel models.
Lind Apotheke – local brick and mortar pharmacy
Lind Apotheke has automated their back office processes with an automated pharmacy dispensing system by KNAPP. The solution includes the putaway, management and dispensing of medicinal products, reduces error rates and frees up valuable time for consultation – a prime example of modern pharmacy automation.
MicuraPharm – automatic deblistering into patient-specific blister packs
MicuraPharm uses the D³ Daily Dose Dispenser System to automatically create patient-specific blister packaging directly from the original blister packs. The combination of the KNAPP Store, closed process chains and complete documentation provides the highest efficiency and quality in the central supply of medicinal products.
Interested in further solutions for the pharmacy sector?
Pharmacy automation means...
More time for customer consultation
Greater safety through precise dispensing
Compact, scalable systems
Support for the pharmacy team
GDP compliant process reliability
Increased efficiency and cost optimization
Scalable for growing B2C volumes
More convenience for patients
Global service network and a reliable partner
Our International Customer Service looks after your logistics system – around the globe, around the clock, 365 days a year. Discover more about our services, from seamless support to optimizing your system!
FAQ
Central automation (i.e. hub-and-spoke) relocates routine pharmacy tasks. The team at the local pharmacy gains time for consulting with patients and providing other pharmacy services.
Yes. Processes, lots and expiry dates are automatically recorded and documented; temperature and cold chains as well as discreet delivery can be documented.
The system is modular and can be used in small back offices at a local pharmacy as well as in large B2C online fulfillment facilities and in central distribution centers for pharmacy chains; KiSoft software provides the central network.
Automated workflows (i.e. Central Belt System, AutoPocket, Daily Dose Dispenser, ATD/KMeD) accelerate lead times, reduce error rates and improve the use of resources, which all contribute towards stabilizing operations and reducing process costs, especially when dealing with high volumes.
Yes, they do. Automation smooths out the rushes, standardizes processes and allows the employees to do the skilled work involved in consultation and clinical services – an added plus in quality as well as team satisfaction.
