Choosing pharmacy automation isn’t about buying a machine, but about asking the right questions to solve the right problems. These 12 questions help first‑time automation buyers make more informed decisions.

1. How many prescriptions do you fill in a typical day, and how many require tablet counting?

Counting automation adds value where prescriptions are counted. For pharmacies that want to automate part of their volume, CountAssist can automate up to 35% of oral solid prescriptions with a single tower in a compact, scalable setup. With additional towers, automation capacity can go beyond 35%. In higher-volume pharmacies where speed matters most, CountMate supports fast, continuous production, up to 160 vials per hour, making it the better fit when throughput is the priority.

2. Do you need continuous, high-speed throughput or support for your most frequently dispensed medications?

Some pharmacies need uninterrupted production to keep up with demand, while others are focused on reducing workload for their most common medications. If high‑speed, continuous throughput is a priority and staffing is limited, CountMate is designed to support an end-to-end workflow for counting, filling, labelling, and sorting prescriptions. If the goal is to ease workload without moving to a full robotic system, CountAssist offers automation that fits easily into existing workflows.

3. How many medications do you want loaded into automation, and how often will that list change?

Your automation strategy should reflect both how many medications you need loaded and how often that list changes. CountAssist starts with 18 canisters per cabinet and scales up to 10 cabinets (180 canisters), allowing pharmacies to automate their fastest movers and expand gradually. CountMate, available with 84 or 168 canisters, is better suited when a larger medication set needs to remain preloaded for continuous, high-volume production.

4. Do you offer adherence packaging today (none, blister, or pouch), and how do you expect that to change in the next 6–18 months?

Adherence packaging decisions often shape long-term automation needs. If you currently offer or plan to expand blister packaging, BlistAssist helps improve accuracy and verification in more manual workflows, while BlistMED and VBM support higher volume, continuous blister production. If your strategy includes pouch packaging, PACMED enables personalized, high‑speed strip pouch production designed to support adherence growth over time.

5. For blister packaging, are you improving a manual process or moving to full automation?

Some pharmacies want to reduce verification time while keeping existing blister workflows largely manual. Others are ready to shift toward production-style automation. BlistAssist supports barcode-driven verification and guided filling to reduce verification time by up to 70% in manual blister workflows. BlistMED extends those efficiencies into automated blister production, supporting higher volumes, partial tablets, and continuous operation. VBM goes a step further by combining automated packaging and verification in a single process, filling, verifying, and sealing up to 40 multi-dose blister cards per hour with full traceability built in.

6. For pouch workflows, what is the required inspection rate (pouches/min), and how much manual verification is acceptable?

As pouch volumes increase, inspection often becomes the limiting factor. PACVision C supports inspection speeds of up to 40 pouches per minute, making it suitable for smaller or growing pouch programs. For high-volume operations, PACVision EX scales inspection up to 320 pouches per minute, helping keep pace with production while minimizing manual checks.

7. How much traceability do you need in the event of an audit?

Not every pharmacy needs the same level of documentation. The right level depends on how prepared you want to be if you're ever audited.

• CountAssist supports barcoded-driven accuracy and basic traceability for everyday counting.
• CountMate adds stronger traceability and image-based verification for high‑speed counting environments.
• BlistAssist supports compliance-focused blister workflows with barcode verification, lot and expiry tracking, image capture, and operator traceability.
• BlistMED extends BlistAssist’s compliance features into higher-volume blister automation.
• VBM automates blister packaging and photographs every card for built-in, audit-ready traceability.
• PACMED produces barcode-verified pouches with patient-specific labelling, supporting consistent traceability from packaging through to administration.
• PACVision adds visual verification and inspection-driven auditability when additional oversight is needed for pouch production.

8. What space constraints will affect installation and daily workflow?

Space considerations go beyond square footage. Height, access, workflow traffic, and placement all affect how well automation integrates into daily operations.

• CountAssist is designed for smaller dispensaries, with a compact, one-sided footprint that fits easily into tight spaces.
• BlistAssist provides tabletop verification for compliance packaging.
• BlistMED, at approximately three feet wide, supports higher-volume blister packaging within existing space limits.
• VBM fits through a standard doorway and delivers full blister automation in just 17 sq. ft.
• PACMED D Series offers a simple entry level strip packaging option suited to small operations.
• PACVision C verifies each PACMED pouch in a compact configuration appropriate for small to medium-sized pharmacies.

9. What software must the automation integrate with to support the systems your pharmacy already relies on?

Automation delivers value when it fits into existing systems. CountAssist, CountMate, BlistAssist, BlistMED, VBM, PACMED, and PACVision (C/EX) are all designed to integrate with a pharmacy’s existing software, making integration an important requirement for day‑to‑day operations.

10. Where is the most time being lost in your current workflow and what type of automation could relieve that pressure?

Start by pinpointing the task that takes the most staff time. That's usually where automation will have the biggest impact. If it's manual counting, CountAssist can help. If high prescription volume is the bottleneck, CountMate or PACMED can handle that throughput. If blister packaging and/or verification is consuming too much time, BlistAssist, BlistMED, or VBM can reduce the workload. If pouch verification and inspection are slowing things down, PACVision can reduce that burden. Match the automation to the pressure point, and the right solution becomes much clearer.

11. Are you planning a phased investment or a larger upfront implementation? Some pharmacies prefer to start with targeted automation and scale over time, while others invest upfront to support higher volumes.

• CountAssist and BlistAssist commonly used as entry-point solutions with lower upfront commitment.
• PACMED supports a broad range of operating models, from compact entry-level units to higher-capacity systems as needs grow.
• CountMate, BlistMED, and VBM are typically selected when volume, demand, and ROI expectations are already well defined.
• PACVision C and PACVision EX can be added for an inspection component.

12. How do you expect your operation to scale?

Growth may come from new locations, central fill, long term‑care, or expanded adherence services. CountAssist supports gradual scaling from a single cabinet to multiple cabinets. PACMED can scale by increasing canister capacity, while PACVision EX is designed to support inspection needs as pouch production expands, providing a clear upgrade path as operations grow.

Not sure where to start? Working through the right questions can help bring clarity to your automation decisions. Our team can help you apply these questions to your workflow and explore options that make sense for your pharmacy.

Learn more or speak with an automation specialist.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandra joined PTS in 2025 as a Product Marketing Specialist while completing her Marketing degree at Concordia University. She's passionate about digital marketing and enjoys collaborating with her team to bring brands to life. Adventurous by nature and a self-proclaimed foodie, she's always on the hunt for the next great place to eat, whether it's a hidden gem or a trending spot.

We spoke with automation experts Dean Knipfel (Sr. Manager, Retail Sales), Philippe Ducharme (Inside Sales Representative), and Steve Fontaine (Senior Engineer, Strategic Projects), who each shared helpful tips on planning for automation.

Their insights can help pharmacy owners understand how to effectively integrate automation into their renovation plans and improve business operations. It's not just about renovations; it's about thoughtfully integrating automation solutions within your current pharmacy setup. Even if a renovation isn't on your immediate agenda, these insights are invaluable.

"What are the factors pharmacy owners should consider when determining the scale and type of automation products?"

Dean – "It’s important to think long-term. What will the pharmacy need in 5 or 10 years? This is your opportunity to design the space right. For example, a pharmacy is preparing for future automation (pouch packing), even though they aren’t ready to use it yet."

Phil – "When we meet with pharmacies for consultations, we want to understand their customer base, look at how many prescriptions they fill and what kind of packaging they use. We want to also envision their 5-year plan. That way, the renovation supports future growth, like adding larger robots and using technicians more efficiently."

Steve – "We always start with a consultation to figure out the pharmacy’s needs. It’s not just about what machines you buy, but also where they go and how they will fit into the workflow. Just like you wouldn’t put the dishwasher in the living room!"

"What are common challenges pharmacy owners face when adding automation into a renovation and how can they overcome them?"

Dean – "A common challenge is running into delays and going over budget. Always plan for the worst-case scenario and add about 10% to your cost estimate. Delays in adding automation can slow down business growth, so it’s always important to budget carefully."

Phil – "Sometimes pharmacies think they need a big machine, but a different–simpler solution may work better. It helps to know exactly what equipment and specifications you want ahead of time and work closely with the renovation team."

Steve – "Planning ahead for space is key. Pharmacy owners may not realize that there are creative ways to meet their needs without compromising on safety and efficiency. For example, if you want a large machine that’s hard to fit, you can opt for several smaller machines which will do the job just as well."

"What advice would you give to pharmacy owners who are hesitant about adopting automation in their renovation plans?"

Dean – "If you don’t end up integrating automation now, you might need to renovate again later which will end up costing more. Even if you’re renovating to sell the pharmacy, leaving room for future automation will increase its value. Everything is moving toward being automated and digital, so you need to adapt now to stay competitive and relevant."

Phil – "Look at your data–an analysis of your top 500. How much time is spent on counting pills, printing labels, and handling prescriptions? A deep dive into your numbers can reveal how much time and money you could save with automation. It also helps reduce human error."

Steve – "There’s no reason to hesitate on automation. We have automation solutions for every pharmacy. Even one CountAssist will handle 30% of all your tasks."

Integrating automation into pharmacy renovations isn’t just about upgrading technology but also setting up your pharmacy for long-term success. Whether you are tight on budget, need to improve efficiency or planning for the long-term, there are many solutions to meet every need. Connecting with McKesson Automation during the early stages of renovation allows pharmacy owners to benefit from a comprehensive assessment of their automation needs. Our implementation team is happy to collaborate with contractors to ensure everything required for the installation is factored into the renovation.

With the right planning and expert guidance, pharmacy owners can benefit from improvements in workflow, cost savings and patient care.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Diana joined PTS in fall of 2020 as their Product Marketing Specialist. Diana’s passionate about how storytelling and messaging create value-add, business changing content. She enjoys collaborating with her team to achieve results. When Diana’s not busy writing, she’s exploring the local forest trails near her home north of Toronto, Ontario.

Alexandra is a third-year Marketing student at Concordia University, currently interning at McKesson. With a strong interest in digital strategy and consumer behavior, she enjoys creating meaningful brand experiences and working closely with others to bring ideas to life. Adventurous by nature and a self-proclaimed foodie, Alexandra is always on the hunt for the next great place to eat, whether it’s a hidden gem or a trending spot.