South Africa launches an ATM for medication
South Africa’s historic ATM-Pharmacy
The Gauteng Department of Health in partnership with Right to Care and Right ePharmacy launched the historic ‘ATM pharmacy’ this morning in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
This ground-breaking South African innovation allows patients with chronic illnesses to receive repeat medication within three minutes.
The Pharmacy Dispensing Unit (PDU) is the first of its kind on the African continent and will reduce congestion in public healthcare facilities. This works like an ATM for medication, with Skype-like audio-visual interaction between patient and pharmacists and robotic technology to dispense medication.
The PDU comprises integrated layers of various technologies, which includes:
• An interactive, information touch screen and a user-friendly interface which allows for two-way Skype-like audio-visual interaction
• Barcode ID scanning to initiate dispensing
• Patient PIN code authentication and activation
• Cloud-based dispensing software and electronic dispensing record
• Bar-code linked product database and product identification capability
• Versatile product printer-labeler
• Customised, temperature controlled compact medicine unit and
• A robotic arm for accurate and swift picking of medicines.