Parata Systems, LLC recently announced that it will acquire the assets of Amistar Corporation and Distributed Delivery Networks Corporation related to automated product machine (APM) technology, enabling patients to pick up their prescriptions using self-service kiosks. The technology helps improve convenience and access for prescription regimens that patients know, while giving the pharmacy team more time to spend with patients who have more complex or new regimens. APMs offer a secure repository for prescriptions, accessible during or after pharmacy hours.

"We look forward to bringing this exciting technology to market, offering a new way to enhance consumers' access to their prescriptions, even when the pharmacy is closed," CEO Jess Eberdt said.

To retrieve prescriptions from an APM, customers input identifying information. They can speak to an on-call pharmacist who is available 24 hours by phone at the kiosk. After the payment method is selected and payment is authorized, the prescription is released and a receipt is printed. Prescriptions can also be obtained by the pharmacy team from the back of the APM, where a technician manually loads the prescriptions. Prescriptions are tracked by NDC bar coding. The kiosk holds up to 448 completed prescriptions.

"With self-service kiosk technology, we literally move out in front with consumers to improve the convenience of their pharmacy experience," Eberdt said.