Public hospital to try robotic drug dispenser

A robotic drug dispenser and a new computer system will be introduced in public hospitals in a bid to reduce the number of drug-related medical blunders.

The first overseas-manufactured robotic dispenser, costing an estimated $1.6 million, is expected to arrive in Hong Kong by the end of the year.

The dispenser and the computer system will initially be installed at the Prince of Wales Hospital and then at a public clinic for a trial period before more machines are ordered. Hospital Authority chief pharmacist Lee Pak-wai said the robot was expected to reduce errors and shorten patients' waiting time.

Drugs are currently handled manually but the robotic dispenser will handle drugs using a robotic arm. 'Our dispensers will no longer run around or move up and down the racks to look for drugs,' Mr Lee said.

'The robotic dispenser is so smart that it will take a photo image of the drugs it has collected to show pharmacists that they have dispensed the correct drugs. It will even choose the right-sized bottle and stick a label on it.'

Along with the robotic dispenser, the authority will install a computer system to monitor prescriptions, warning doctors if the drugs they prescribe are not suited to the patient.