Happy Harry's Installs Robotic Dispensing Systems

In an effort to address a pharmacy shortage at many of its locations, Happy Harry's Discount Drug Stores has installed ScriptPro Robotic Dispensing Systems. In addition to ensuring that pharmacy staff members have time to maintain the chain's strong relationship with its customers, the dispensing system has saved Happy Harry's one half to one full pharmacist per store.

The pharmacy chain first installed ScriptPro's SP 200 in its Laurel (Del) location.The pharmacists at this location had been inundated and really needed the help of a third pharmacist. Yet, the chain had not been successful in finding another pharmacist in the area and could not recruit anyone to move to Laurel.

"Our relationship with our customers is very strong, and that's our major advantage over our competition. But the pharmacist shortage caused us to look at our customer service levels, and in stores where we were short staffed, we had difficulty finding the time to provide the customer service we're known for," said Jack Murphy, vice president of pharmacy for the chain. "Our goal with ScriptPro is to make the systems work in areas where we have a pharmacist shortage, so we can free up our pharmacists to be in the aisles talking to our customers," he added.

Furthermore, Murphy said that the savings on staffing directly benefits the return on investment (ROI). "Saving the salary on one half to a full pharmacist means the ROI is very quick."