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Integrated system - best suited for medium to large volume decommission
These systems are integrated into an existing system (such as the stock control system). Such solutions would normally incorporate the scan into the normal business process workflow and minimise the ‘additional operator’ demand or provide a business benefit that allows the increased staff time for scanning to be off-set by other benefits. System suppliers may be taking an incremental approach to offering such ‘business benefits’ but should be looking to deliver these within a reasonable timescale post February 2019.
Delegated staff member scans medicines using a 2D compliant scanning device. Existing systems used to record dispensing activity and/or stock control are automatically updated with pack information, reducing the manual data entry need.
Automated - best suited for small volume decommission
These are solutions such as robotic systems where the barcode scan is a normal part of the ‘loading’ of the machine and where the output from the machine can be attributed to an individual, identifiable pack. These systems have developed the links to the NMVS to support verification messages on ‘receipt’ or loading and decommission messages on supply. There would need to be a facility to support scanning of ‘non-robot’ items. Such systems minimise the staff implications of FD scans but may require further integration with stock control systems to leverage full ‘user-benefits’ from the use of FMD barcodes.
Stock or order fulfilment machines, such as robotic dispensing machines, performs the FMD scanning as the pack flows through the machine. May or may not be integrated with other pharmacy systems.
Further information
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internal FMD case study - Ben Eaton, Dean and Smedley
We visited Ben Eaton at the Dean and Smedley Pharmacy he manages in Swadlincote, Derby in February 2019, five days after the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) became law, to talk with him about his experiences so far
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internal FMD case study - David Broome, Stancliffe Pharmacy, Bramhope
We visited pharmacist David Broome at his pharmacy in the village of Bramhope, North Leeds in February 2019, four days after the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) became law, and two weeks after he first activated FMD scanning.
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internal FMD case study - Kerry Welch, Weldricks Pharmacy
We visited pharmacist Kerry Welch at Weldricks Pharmacy, Field Road, Stainforth, one of 64 Weldricks community pharmacies located in the Doncaster area.
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internal FMD case study - Robert Vaughan, Lincolnshire Coop Pharmacy
The Coop Pharmacy group has 49 branches across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Norfolk. The branch we visited in Lincoln Was one of the first to go live with the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) in November 2018. We met with area manager Robert Vaughan in March 2019 for a chat about how they introduced FMD to their branches.