Alliance Healthcare Introduces OptiTote to Drive Efficiencies for Pharmacists

Alliance Healthcare is today announcing the launch of OptiTote, a semi automated repeat dispensing solution, designed to improve efficiency and accuracy in pharmacy operations.

The technology will enable pharmacists to partially automate repeat prescription dispensing, simplifying the dispensing operation and freeing up valuable time. This will enable pharmacists to devote more time to growing their business, including upskilling staff and patient care.

As Pharmacies face increasing pressure to optimise workflows, expand services, and reduce costs, OptiTote’s partial automation removes the need for manual unpacking and shelf picking, allowing pharmacy teams to collate patient orders more accurately using advanced barcode scanning technology. Furthermore, OptiTote's 'just in time' stock fulfilment allows pharmacies to maintain lower inventory levels, thereby reducing the capital tied up in stock.

How does it work?

Managed entirely by in-house dispensing teams, this patient-specific tote system integrates seamlessly with Alliance Healthcare’s ordering systems, offering a more streamlined approach to repeat prescriptions.

Unlike traditional repeat prescription management, OptiTote enables pharmacies to maintain full control over prescriptions while accelerating the dispensing process.

OptiTote is ordered via the OptiTote software, the order is encrypted to protect patient data and is sent through to the Alliance Healthcare service centre, where it is assembled ready for dispatch the following morning. The OptiTote is delivered with the pharmacy’s standard Alliance Healthcare order.

Paula Sutherland, Sales Director at Alliance Healthcare said: "Now more than ever, pharmacies need innovative solutions to simplify processes and enable them to focus more on patient care. As pharmacies adapt to evolving healthcare demands, OptiTote provides a practical solution that simplifies and speeds up repeat prescription dispensing, giving pharmacists more time to spend training their teams, supporting patients or running their business.”

Dr Jackie Lewis - Pharmacist Director of Lewis Pharmacy in Exmouth, Devon said: “As a business owner and superintendent I have more time to devote to governance of the pharmacy and to developing private services and developing my skills as an IP Pathfinder which can be up to 6 half day sessions per week. Through Optitote we have more available staff time which enables us to run technician service clinics 3 mornings a week.”

The standard OptiTote system is available at no cost and is integrated into existing PMR workstations. The OptiTote team at Alliance Healthcare provide a detailed bespoke training plan for each pharmacy to ensure that key pharmacy team members are fully trained and are confident in using the product. The training is conducted in a live environment within the pharmacy with the Alliance OptiTote product technician on hand to support and guide.

Visit our webpage to find out more information including how to enquire about OptiTote.

Pharmacies can also reach out to their Alliance Healthcare account manager if you’d like to sign up to OptiTote. If eligible, our dedicated team will then work with the pharmacy with a mutual date to install the kit and then train and support the pharmacy team.