Guest blog: Streamlining Dispensing Through Collaboration

In our first-ever guest blog Adam James from PHOENIX provides a sneak peek behind the 
scenes in the development of a new, soon to be launched dispensing workflow capable of 
reducing patient safety incidents and stock holding, while also helping pharmacies save 
more time each week.

I’ve led many large-scale innovation projects over the years. But when tasked with blending
our Golden Tote proposition with Cegedim Rx’s PMR System Pharmacy Manager to create
one integrated, semi-automated dispensing journey, I was excited by the challenge.

One team. One clear aim.

This project required collaboration on a grand scale. So together we became one team. And
from day one, the collaboration has been seamless.

It’s been a true partnership – and it’s still ongoing. Throughout the project we had lots of
face-to-face workshops. Sessions which enabled us to review everything, pull it apart and
then put it back together even stronger.

Blending Pharmacy Manager and its new dispensing workflow module, Handout Manager
with Golden Tote to provide one streamlined process for pharmacy teams was no mean feat.
Inevitably some challenges arose along the way, but the Cegedim Rx team were incredibly
responsive. When hurdles came up, I had the confidence and reassurance that I could simply pick up
the phone and the product team would instantly get to work finding a work around. It’s this
solutions-focused approached that allowed us to make incremental improvements and drive
the project forward.

A hands-on approach

Since the first kick-off call the combined project team were in touch almost every day, along
with keeping in close contact with our test sites to bring everyone on this journey with us.
We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve achieved together. The integration will help our
pharmacies to radically transform the dispensing process – freeing up pharmacist time and
providing them with greater accuracy and safety reassurance.

Precious time which can now be spent helping patients and delivering more clinical services.
And the collaboration doesn’t stop there. We work closely with pharmacies to ensure they
get the most of out of this new dispensing workflow. 

The human touch

A common misconception about digital transformation projects, such as this, is that it’s all
about the tech. Whilst of course cutting-edge technology systems are crucial to success,
what can often be overlooked is the people involved.

I’m pleased to say that every single person I’ve worked with at Cegedim Rx has been
fantastic. They are dedicated and passionate. Our relationship is now far stronger for
working together. There have naturally been a few bumps in the road to make this integration happen, but the camaraderie between us has carried us through. It’s been refreshingly easy to work
together.

With this integration we’ve proved that innovation can drive efficiency and safety in
pharmacy, improving both workflows and patient care. PHOENIX is committed to ensuring all customers can benefit from our market-leading semi-automated dispensing solution and we’re excited to be working with partners who have the same vision and commitment to introducing innovation and improved safety.