---
title: How Did We Get Here? The History of Pharmacy Automation Systems
description: Explore the evolution of pharmacy automation systems and their transformative impact on long-term care pharmacies. Discover how these advancements boost efficiency, accuracy, and competitiveness.
---

[Blog ](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts)

# [How Did We Get Here? The History of Pharmacy Automation Systems](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/how-did-we-get-here-the-history-of-pharmacy-automation-systems)

 Written by [FrameworkLTC](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/author/frameworkltc) | May 4, 2022 4:00:00 AM

**Summary:** This article highlights the evolution and current impact of pharmacy automation systems.

**Table of Contents**

[Pharmacy Automation Systems Over the Years](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/how-did-we-get-here-the-history-of-pharmacy-automation-systems/#pharmacy-automation-systems-over-the-years)  
[The Current State of Pharmacy Automation Systems](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/how-did-we-get-here-the-history-of-pharmacy-automation-systems/#current-state-ofpharmacy-automation-systems)  
[Beating the Competition with Pharmacy Automation Systems](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/how-did-we-get-here-the-history-of-pharmacy-automation-systems/#beating-competition-with-pharmacy-automation-systems)

These days, automation is everywhere—and pharmacies are no exception.

[Pharmacy automation systems](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/5-ways-pharmacy-automation-helps-maximize-efficiency-and-reduce-costs) are improving long-term care (LTC) pharmacies, automating key tasks ranging from filling prescriptions to managing inventory. As a result of automation, today’s pharmacy staff are able to work both more accurately and efficiently, with new approaches to traditionally error-prone tasks. 

How? With automation, pharmacy staff can free up time and ensure prescriptions are filled accurately and responsibly. Bill Lockwood, executive director of the American Society for Automation in Pharmacy, said it best when he explained: “Increased efficiency is giving pharmacies the opportunity [to offer more services and to provide more drug safety](https://www.drugtopics.com/view/future-pharmacy-automation)."

It’s no secret that [automation is the future of pharmacy](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/5-ways-pharmacy-automation-helps-maximize-efficiency-and-reduce-costs), but where did pharmacy automation systems begin? Let’s go back in time:

## Pharmacy Automation Systems Over the Years

Pharmacy automation isn’t a new development that came out of the 2000s tech boom. In fact, it has been used in the pharmacy industry for decades:

### Groovin’ Through the 1960s and ’70s

Pharmacy automation systems began to take shape in the late 1960s with machines designed to count medications. The [first portable and digital pill counter](https://info.rxsafe.com/blog/what-is-pharmacy-automation) was invented between 1967 and 1970 in Manchester, England by John and Frank Kirby, and it made its commercial debut in January 1971. 

What is LTC pharmacy software? How does it help your pharmacy improve processes? What ROI can your pharmacy expect from this software solution? Find out when you [download this guide](https://go.frameworkltc.com/complete-guide-to-ltc-pharmacy-software). →

### Rocking into the 1980s and ’90s

By the 1980s and 1990s, technology improved for pharmacy automation systems. Solutions such as digital tablet counters emerged to count pills and fill medication bottles with improved efficiency and greater accuracy. Such innovations lowered both risks and labor costs for pharmacists, as the [updated technology was smaller and more affordable](http://www.ppharmapack.com/news/how-much-do-you-know-about-the-counting-machin-17810812.html) for more operations.

### Flash Forward to the 2000s

It wasn’t until 2008 that the pharmacy industry saw another major innovation: features for dispensing and packaging medications after counting them. Pharmacy automation systems were now equipped with a computer interface tied to a pharmacy management system that had both workflow and inventory management capabilities. This upgrade included quality checks and balances to minimize dispensing errors, and the tech was [further advanced in 2009 with hands-free dispensing](https://www.pppmag.com/article/526).

## The Current State of Pharmacy Automation Systems

Technology has had its hand in the evolution of pharmacy automation systems, however.  As a result, each tool is faster, smarter, and more beneficial to your operation, helping to:

### Automate Order Fulfillment

Modern pharmacy automation systems are designed to automate workflows throughout each stage of the order filling process, including:

- Inventory management
- Medication dispensing
- [Labeling and packaging](https://frameworkltc.com/forms-labels)
- Toting and delivery

### Boost Workflow Efficiency

By automating manual, time-intensive processes with technology, pharmacies can become more productive and efficient, [optimizing prescription filling processes](https://frameworkltc.com/frameworkecm) and more. Pharmacy automation systems free up time and resources, so you can focus on more meaningful work and streamline operations to enable scalability without adding staff.

### Improve Dispensing Accuracy

The latest systems also help to improve accuracy, minimizing dispensing errors and reducing patient safety concerns. Built-in quality checks and balances enable your LTC pharmacy staff to ensure that the right prescription goes to the right patient at the right facility, in the right dose, and at the right time.

## Beating the Competition with Pharmacy Automation Systems

Pharmacy automation [is a growing trend](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/11/07/the-growing-trend-of-pharmacy-automation/?sh=2c3d273f67ca), and [FrameworkLTC](https://frameworkltc.com/frameworkltc-platform) is the best of the best. It’s the most powerful, scalable pharmacy automation system, designed with long-term care pharmacies’ complexities in mind. As a leading solution, FrameworkLTC has unmatched integration capabilities, facility-centric customization, robust reporting, and more.

Outperform your competition, streamline LTC pharmacy operations, and [scale your business](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/9-helpful-tips-for-scaling-your-ltc-pharmacy) with a solution that allows you to: 

- Meet your exact specifications with [rules-based design](https://frameworkltc.com/frameworkltc-platform)
- Simplify [complex long-term care billing workflows](https://frameworkltc.com/frameworkinsight)
- Streamline vaccine management workflows and reporting
- Strengthen partnerships by connecting with [100+ interfaces](https://frameworkltc.com/partner-hub)

Ready to get started? Download [The Complete Guide to LTC Pharmacy Software](https://go.frameworkltc.com/complete-guide-to-ltc-pharmacy-software?__hstc=21858660.99c1b453015c987b276b6143531abc25.1740172583676.1741266870980.1741352758262.12&__hssc=21858660.33.1741352758262&__hsfp=1888264866) to learn more about the benefits and capabilities of pharmacy automation systems.

[View full post](https://frameworkltc.com/blog-posts/how-did-we-get-here-the-history-of-pharmacy-automation-systems)

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