Content about Automation and Technology

According to Surescripts, almost 400,000 physicians — about 58% of all office-based doctors — were e-prescribing at the end of 2011. The net effect: About 36% of all prescriptions were sent electronically in 2011.


For the full report, click here.

RALEIGH, N.C. — A pharmacy automation equipment manufacturer has signed a deal with a company that makes pharmacy software.

RxMedic Systems and Health Business Systems announced Tuesday that they had signed a preferred business partner agreement. The deal will allow users of HBS' RxAxis pharmacy software system to connect with RxMedic's dispensing technology, including its ADS robot, the companies said, allowing pharmacies to be more accurate, productive and profitable.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth is showcasing its health-and-wellness screening kiosk for consumers at Health 2.0 Conference, which will be held in San Francisco from Oct. 6 to 10.

The company said its SoloHealth Station, which will roll out to select Walmart stores beginning this fall, will be on display during the Body 2.0 Expo, the conference's first-ever consumer event offering the latest innovation and cutting-edge technologies in personal health.

MENLO PARK, Calif. — Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif., of the Silicon Valley is preparing to introduce legislation that will create a new division within the Food and Drug Administration to govern fast-developing healthcare applications, according to a report published by Kaiser Health News last week. 

It's big business — according to projections made by Research2guidance, the healthcare mobile app market, dubbed mHealth, could total $1.3 billion by year's end, up from $718 million in 2011. 

ATLANTA — Sam's Club has become the first warehouse club retailer to install SoloHealth's comprehensive health-and-wellness screening kiosks, SoloHealth announced Wednesday.

SoloHealth said it will begin the rollout of its SoloHealth Station to more than 500 Sam's Club locations nationwide. The kiosks, currently available in select U.S. retail locations, is expected to be in more than 2,500 retail locations by mid-2013.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Social media was the biggest topic of discussion as regional retail pharmacy executives from around the country gathered last month for the Southern Drug Stores Association's annual meeting.

 ATLANTA — SoloHealth on Wednesday named Tim Kiss to serve as VP marketing — a new position at SoloHealth — as the company prepares for its nationwide rollout of the SoloHealth Station consumer kiosk this fall. SoloHealth also named Dan Bonert to VP advertising sales, promoted Eric Hoell to VP operations and promoted Stephen Kendig to EVP and chief commercial officer.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched an application version of the reference guide to its drugs, the generic drug maker said Thursday.

The company announced what it called the first ever app of its Generic Brand Reference Guide, a free reference for healthcare professionals, patients and pharmacy students that enables the fast identification of brand and generic drugs. The 2012 print edition of the GBR was made available in a pocket-sized format earlier this year.

NEW YORK — General Electric and Healthline have introduced a new application that lets users explore the inside of the body, the companies announced Tuesday.

BodyMaps, designed to work with the Apple iPad's Retina display, features 3D, high-resolution images of more than 1,000 body parts, tissues, bones and organs and a searchable index.

INDIANPOLIS — Lilly Diabetes announced that it has launched a new mobile application designed for caregivers and healthcare providers who support people with Type 1 diabetes.

The Lilly Glucagon mobile app is an interactive tool designed to teach caregivers how to use severe hypoglycemia treatment Glucagon (1-mg) for injection through simulated practice, thus helping caregivers better understand Glucagon's role in diabetes management. The Lilly Glucagon mobile app includes:

• Information about severe hypoglycemia and Glucagon;

HORSHAM, Pa. — Symphony Health Solutions has expanded its senior leadership team.

The company — which is owned by Palo Alto, Calif.-based strategic equity firm Symphony Technology Group — said former SunGuard Higher Education CFO John Milana has been appointed CFO of the company;  Jonathan Rosan, who had served as general counsel for interactive marketing agency Rosetta, has been named general counsel; and software engineering veteran Nigel Pratt has been named chief technology officer.

NASHVILLE — A provider of healthcare revenue, payment cycle management and clinical information exchange solutions has expanded its technology-enabled solution that aims to improve business and clinical outcomes and care continuity.