Content about Automation and Technology

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Single Touch Systems has picked a company that distributes prescription discount cards to sponsor the messages it delivers to pharmacy customers.

Single Touch announced the selection of ScriptRelief to sponsor its prescription pickup and appointment reminders sent to patients' mobile devices. ScriptRelief provides the RxRelief pharmacy discount card program, which offers discounts on more than 50,000 prescription drugs.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Immunization records will be sent directly from Walgreens and Duane Reade stores to primary care providers over Surescripts' electronic prescribing network, Walgreens said Monday.

While the in-store experience is still important to many shoppers, greater consumer adoption of emerging technologies is undoubtedly reshaping the retail landscape. Today, stores are just one part of a larger, more connected consumer experience. For retailers, this means they must rethink how they can transform stores, strategies and operating models into a store of the future: Store 3.0.


ATLANTA — A consumer-driven healthcare technology company has expanded its executive team to include a newly created position.

SoloHealth on Tuesday announced the appointment of Mike Griffin as its chief revenue officer, effective immediately. In his new role, Griffin will lead the company's long-term revenue generation and oversee the strategic direction of sales and marketing. Prior to joining SoloHealth, Griffin served as EVP marketing and strategic development at EyeWonder, a provider of interactive digital advertising products.

WASHINGTON — The American College of Cardiology has launched a free texting program that's designed to help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease.

BETHESDA, Md. — A provider of mobile health solutions has introduced a free application that synchronizes with a wireless blood-glucose meter.

The MyTelcare Diabetes Pal, now available via the Apple App Store, allows patients and caregivers to use their iPhone, iPod Touch and/or iPad to visualize every glucose reading sent by the Telcare BGM (blood-glucose meter) while tracking medication, nutrition, activities and notes. What's more, the app also enables patients who don’t have the Telcare BGM to manually enter their blood-glucose data and track it over time.

MISSION, Kan. — Customers of pharmacy automation provider ScriptPro ranked one of the company's systems as the best in one of the categories of a survey conducted by healthcare information technology research firm KLAS, ScriptPro said.

KLAS recently published its annual report, "2011 Best in KLAS Awards for Software and Professional Services," showing that ScriptPro's SP Central Pharmacy Management System earned the top spot in the category of "Software Solutions — Pharmacy — Outpatient (Retail)."

SALT LAKE CITY — Pharmacy customers looking to view and compare prescription drug prices now can do so on their iPhone or Android device.

Record-breaking attendance and four panel discussions on such topics as specialty pharmacy and diabetes set the stage for the 13th annual Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit held on Nov. 29 in New York City. This year’s event attracted more than 30 retailers and 200 industry suppliers. 


A mass merchandise retailer based in the Midwest has become the latest chain to join the move toward smartphone apps that allow customers to manage their pharmacy prescriptions. Fresh off the heels of its merger with Omaha, Neb.-based Pamida, Shopko announced the launch of an app for BlackBerry, Android and iPhone users that will allow customers to refill and manage their pharmacy prescriptions.


REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — British retail pharmacy chain Lloyds Pharmacy and U.S.-based Proteus Biochemical are collaborating to launch a digital health product that combines sensor-enabled tablets, a sensor patch and a mobile health application to help people with complex medication regimens and health issues.

The two companies announced Friday that they would work together to commercialize and launch Helius, which they said would provide "assurance and peace of mind" to patients and their families, friends and providers, and improve medication adherence.

While physicians and pharmacists alike generally view electronic prescribing with favor, several barriers stand in the way of their realizing its full benefit, according to a November government study.