www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 28, 2008 - 21 Dr. Jenna Davis Local firm launches automated dispensing system By Paloma Migone SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Family Chiropractor/ Acupuncturist A technological innovation developed by PCA Services Inc., an Oakvillebased company, may change future pharmaceutical practices. PharmaTrust, a prescription drugs dispenser, is a "pharmacy in a box." The kiosk provides more than 200 types of medication and onsite pharmacist counselling through a phone, e-mail and two-way video. "What we are presenting to you today is Canada's first, possibly the world's first, fully automated (prescription drugs) dispensing machine," said Don Waugh, co-founder and CEO of PCA Services. "It represents two years of hard effort by our team of employees and software developers." With nearly $5 million in investments, PCA Services' invention uses robotics to scan prescriptions, label products, and dispense them. It's like a sophisticated ATM machine, but instead of providing money, it provides health care at a new level. The product is undergoing a threemonth trial at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre's pharmacy. If everything goes as planned, by the end of 2008, PCA Services will have 20 machines dispersed at hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. PharmaTrust, in compliance with Ontario and other provinces' law, can only be operated with a pharmacist or doctor on site, the latter can only sell to patients in their direct care, said Waugh. PharmaTrust uses video verification, scales and radio frequency identification (RFID) to verify the correct prescription is being dispensed. However, "The machine does not, will not and cannot release a medication to a patient without a pharmacist controlling it," said Peter Suma, co-founder and chief operating officer of PCA Services. PharmaTrust also provides a pedigree certificate, which shows the prescription's journey from the "manufacturer to the medicine cabinet." For payment, PharmaTrust allows you to enter your drug plan information and takes debit and credit card. A second machine, already being built by PCA Systems will be able to accept cash. The PharmaTrust system also offers home delivery for busy individuals who cannot make it to the pharmacy on time to refill their prescriptions. PCA Services believes their machine will help further incorporate pharmacists into patient care by reducing rou- tine technical tasks. "This is a tool for pharmacists to take away some of the technical aspects of dispensing prescriptions. It allows the pharmacist to spend the majority of their time counseling patients, which is what we are trained to do. It's not replacing the pharmacist. It's just a different way of providing the medica- tion," said Jim Gay, pharmacist and vice-president of pharmacist regulatory for PCA Systems. PCA Services hopes PharmaTrust will help reduce prescription-dispensing error, reach remote areas, lower fees and improve health care by keeping electronic records, "to enhance patient care, convenience and choice." Alliance Healthcare Professionals Dr. Jenna Davis 905.845.2291 Specializes in: · Pediatrics · ADD/ADHD · Pre and Postnatal Care · Headaches/Migraines · Naturally T urning Breech Babies · Fertility Issues Wellness care for the entire family! Happy Canada Day! Call in and mention this ad and you will receive a complimentary examination, state-of-the-art spinal analysis and report of findings with Dr. Jenna Davis (Savings of over $90.00) "There is nothing like a dream to create the future." - Victor Hugo 232 South Service Rd. 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