BD and Henry Ford Health partner to automate pharmacies - The Robot Report

BD, a global medical technology company, has partnered with Henry Ford Health to develop and implement a robotic pharmacy automation system aimed at improving prescription access and pharmacy efficiency. The collaboration will utilize BD’s Rowa Vmax, a high-speed, modular robotic system already in use in Europe, to automate the storage and dispensing of medications at Henry Ford Health’s hospital-based community pharmacies in Southeast and Central Michigan. This system will enable patients to pick up select prescriptions 24/7, enhancing convenience and continuity of care. The partnership seeks to transform pharmacy operations by freeing pharmacists from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value, patient-centered care. Key benefits include automated, high-capacity storage and retrieval of medications, real-time prescription tracking, scalability, and the ability to house refrigerated medications and over-the-counter products. Both BD and Henry Ford Health emphasize that this automation aligns with their vision of delivering safer care, better access, and measurable outcomes, with plans to explore additional applications of the technology to further advance pharmacy