Automation is key to reducing pressure on pharmacies

By Bojana Vukelic, marketing manager at BD Rowa

Pharmacies today are navigating a perfect storm of rising patient expectations, expanding clinical responsibilities, and tightening financial constraints. Pharmacists are being asked to deliver more services, support, and care, often with fewer resources and growing operational demands.

At BD Rowa, we believe automation plays a critical role in helping pharmacies not just to survive, but to thrive in this environment. By rethinking routine processes and leveraging technology, pharmacies can unlock efficiencies, protect safety standards, and create capacity for the vital clinical role they’re increasingly expected to play.

Creating capacity for patient care

Pharmacy teams are under relentless pressure to balance dispensing with the delivery of enhanced services. Yet, manual stock management, picking, and dispensing continue to absorb valuable staff time that could be redirected to patient-facing care. Automation offers a solution by streamlining these repetitive processes. By automating storage, retrieval, and dispensing, pharmacies can reduce the time spent on operational tasks and free up staff to focus on clinical activities, consultations, vaccinations, medicines optimisation or other NHS services.

For patients, this translates into faster service, shorter waiting times, and better access to advice and support. For pharmacists, it enables the shift from supply-focused roles to clinical leadership within the healthcare system.

Reducing errors, enhancing safety

Pharmacists have always prioritised accuracy and safety, but as workloads increase, so does the potential for human error. Automation strengthens safety by embedding accuracy into every stage of the process. Barcode scanning, automated stock tracking, and system-led expiry date management reduce reliance on manual checks, supporting consistent, error-free dispensing.

This protects patients and reduces the risk and stress for pharmacy teams, providing confidence in every supply and helping safeguard professional standards, even in high-demand environments.

Optimising space and resources

Physical space is a growing constraint in many pharmacies, especially as clinical services expand. Automation can help optimise available space by centralising and compacting stock storage, freeing up areas for consultation rooms or service delivery zones without sacrificing operational efficiency.

Financial constraints also weigh heavily on the sector. While technology requires investment, automation offers long-term cost savings by reducing waste, minimising errors, and streamlining workflows. This ultimately helps pharmacies operate more sustainably under mounting economic pressures.

Supporting the evolving role of pharmacy

The pharmacy sector is evolving rapidly, shifting towards more clinical, patient-focused services. For pharmacists to embrace this expanded role, the day-to-day logistics burden must be reduced. Automation provides a way forward, creating operational resilience, freeing capacity, and supporting pharmacy teams to deliver the care patients expect today and in the future.

At BD Rowa, we’ve seen how pharmacies that adopt automation are better positioned to meet the complex demands of modern healthcare while improving staff satisfaction and patient outcomes. As the sector continues to change, embracing technology will be key to staying ahead, ensuring pharmacies remain a cornerstone of accessible, safe, and effective healthcare in every community.