Scotland’s first biometric safe for controlled drugs has been installed in the pharmacy department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

The new BD Pyxis C2 Safe replaces a previous dual lock system and manual recording of dispensed controlled drugs with a biometric thumbprint system. The new state-of-the-art safe also electronically tracks and monitors the use and replenishment of controlled drugs within the pharmacy. Not only does the pioneering technology create more robust security for managing controlled substances, but it also increases workflow efficiency by reducing duplication.

In the future, it will integrate with additional medication management technologies to deliver a seamless, automated system for ordering, dispensing and auditing controlled drugs across the hospital.

The move away from a traditional lock and key system with manual recording of controlled drugs is part of a wider programme of upgrading Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s robotic pharmacy systems. The hospital currently has three robots – affectionately named Rosie, R2D2 and Lindsay Lohan– which automatically load, pick, dispense and label medicines. After 14 years of service, due to software limitations and outdated hardware, they have now reached the end of their life. However, although they can no longer be used, all of the metal components are being recycled to minimise waste.

The new pharmacy robotic system which has been installed is much smaller, quicker and more advanced than its predecessor. This will significantly speed up the dispensing process and free up more time for pharmacy staff to spend on the wards to support local staff and patients. It will also free up more room in the pharmacy department to create space for other staff and services including pharmacy oncology and home care staff as well as a new learning zone to support staff training and development.

In addition, the new pharmacy robots will help improve efficiency and reduce medicines waste as they are able to store and dispense partly used medication packs as well as deal with packaging of all shapes and sizes.

Following a competition to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, the two robots have been overwhelmingly voted by staff to be named Duke and Baron in honour of the local Kelpies landmark.

Hazel Jamieson, Pharmacy Operational Services Manager at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said: “Having access to this new robotic technology will significantly improve and future-proof our hospital-based pharmacy services, as well as freeing up local staff to spend more time supporting patients and helps us to support having the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

“Managing this complex replacement programme has taken many months of detailed planning and I’d like to thank the local pharmacy team and staff across the wider hospital for their support in making the transition run as smoothly as possible.”

NHS Forth Valley’s Chief Executive Ross McGuffie, added: “Forth Valley Royal Hospital has also been at the forefront of using new technology and I’m therefore delighted to unveil this latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment within the hospital’s pharmacy.”

NHS Forth Valley Pharmacy Service aims to is to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical care and services across all settings. It is supported by a team of experienced clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians based in Forth Valley Royal Hospital who provide medication, advice and support to patients in wards and clinical areas across the hospital, including mental health, maternity and oncology.