Low Installation Rates in Retail Pharmacies Across Europe Increase the Growth Potential of the Pharmacy Automation Systems Market, Finds Frost & Sullivan

LONDON, September 1, 2010 - The pharmacy automation systems market in Europe is experiencing a
tremendous growth spurt. Until recently, most pharmacies have been either
without automation or have employed very basic automation systems. In
response, the adoption rate of automation systems across Europe has been
progressing from basic prescription management systems to advanced medication
pick-up and drug dispensing automation systems. Likewise, although the
adoption of automation systems has been most prevalent among hospital
pharmacies, there is significant potential for growth in the retail pharmacy
market across Europe.

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New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.healthcareIT.frost.com),
European Markets for Pharmacy Automation Systems, finds that the market
earned revenues of US$151.4 million in 2009 and estimates this to reach
US$360.2 million by 2016. This research service particularly focuses on
prescription management automation systems, medication pick-up automation
systems and drug dispensing automation systems.

"Pharmacy automation systems translate a product-centric pharmacy model
into a patient-centric workflow model, thus improving the pharmacy
environment for both the patients and the pharmacists," says Frost & Sullivan
Industry Analyst S. Priyan. "More importantly, these systems reduce the
waiting time for the patients, lower medication errors, prevent adverse drug
events (ADE), and ease operating costs for the pharmacy, thereby enhancing
patient safety, pharmacy productivity, and turnover."

There is considerable demand and potential for automation systems among
retail pharmacies. Although the annual maintenance charges of automation
systems are one of the least in the healthcare IT market in Europe, the
revenues of pharmacy automation systems market are expected to more than
double only by 2016.

However, diverse adoption characteristics among the various pharmacy
groups in Europe result in slow market growth. Furthermore, the availability
of varied information systems in the market for pharmacy workflows tends to
confuse the end users, resulting in reduced penetration rates.

"There are several information systems available for pharmacy deployment
in Europe such as pharmacy management systems, pharmacy information systems,
and electronic prescribing systems," explains Priyan. "These systems reduce
the market potential for advanced pharmacy automation systems as the end
users make do with these basic workflow automation systems to meet the
automation requirements of their pharmacy."

Standardising and consolidating delivery models for various pharmacy
groups will help in increasing penetration rates. Organising workshops
designed to educate end users on the systems' capabilities, and convening
meetings to understand their requirements for offering customised solutions,
will promote customer satisfaction, and thereby expand the customer base.

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an
e-mail to Katja Feick, Corporate Communications, at katja.feick@frost.com,
with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail
address, company website, city, state and country.

European Markets for Pharmacy Automation Systems is part of the
Healthcare & Life Sciences IT Growth Partnership Services programme, which
also includes research in the following markets: European Markets for
Business Analytics in Healthcare, Electronic Medical Records Market in
Europe, and Strategic Analysis of Care Management Market in Europe. All
research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market
opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following
extensive interviews with market participants.

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    European Markets for Pharmacy Automation Systems (M567)

    Contact:
    Katja Feick
    Corporate Communications - Europe
    P: +49(0)69-7703343
    E: katja.feick@frost.com
    www.frost.com
    Twitter: twitter.com/frost_sullivan

Katja Feick of Frost & Sullivan Corporate Communications - Europe, +49(0)69-7703343, katja.feick at frost.com