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The global pharmacy automation systems market is expected to reach US$ 11,121.33 million in 2022 to US$ 22,632.12 million by 2030; the market is estimated to record a CAGR of 9.3% from 2022 to 2030.
The key factors driving the market's growth are growing adoption of robotic pharmacies and growing risk of medication errors. However, the pharmacy automation systems market growth is likely to be affected by high capitalization cost requirements and shortcomings of systems.
Growing Risks of Medication Errors
Medication errors are alarming and are considered the third leading cause of death worldwide. Unsafe practices in medicine have been causing unavoidable risks in the healthcare sector. An article published by the European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines in September 2022 states that medication errors result in 160,000 deaths annually. The article also revealed that medication errors account for 50% of preventable risks annually in the healthcare sector, with a yearly cost of ~ US$ 42 billion. As per European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines, countries such as the US, Spain, and Germany collectively report 60,000–131,000 deaths yearly due to medication errors. The World Health Organization stated that a medication error causes 1 death in 1 million of the population globally.
On the other hand, the risks of drug-related injuries due to medication errors are much higher. Distractions are the leading cause of ~75% of medication errors. Distractions are common when healthcare professionals are engaged in multiple tasks, including speaking to consultants, speaking to patient family members, examining the patient, and conversing with insurance professionals simultaneously. Moreover, in these situations, they fail to complete their duties on time and suffer a lapse of judgment, leading to medication errors. Distortion is another factor responsible for the maximum number of medication errors. Distortion is a result of poor writing, use of abbreviations, misunderstood symbols, or improper translation. Further, pharmacists and nurses find difficulties to understand the handwritten prescription for medicines that leads to wrong delivery of medicines to the patients. Thus, the growing number of medication errors triggers the demand for pharmacy automation systems leading to increase pharmacy automation systems market.
Pharmacy Automation Systems Market: Segmental Overview
Based on type, the pharmacy automation systems market is segmented into automated medication dispensing systems, automated packaging and labelling systems, automated table-top counters, automated storage and retrieval systems, and other types. The automated medication dispensing systems segment held a larger market share in 2022 and the same segment is expected to register a higher CAGR during the 2022–2030. Further, the automated medication dispensing systems is further divided into product type and operation. The pharmacy automation systems market for automated dispensing systems by product type is subsegmented into robotic automated systems, carousels, and automated dispensing cabinets. Likewise, based on operation, the pharmacy automation equipment market for automated dispensing systems is subsegmented into centralized prescription fulfillment and centralized prescription fulfillment.
Based on end user, the pharmacy automation systems market is segmented into hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy, and others. The hospital pharmacy segment held a larger market share in 2022. It is expected to register a higher CAGR during 2022–2030. Hospital pharmacies determine the quality and safety of medicines administered to patients in hospitals. Despite such a crucial role, the number of medication errors in these settings is high. ADM help reduce dispensing errors in pharmacies. Many hospitals (particularly in developed countries) are adopting pharmacy automation systems to ensure accuracy, repeatability, and patient safety. Digitizing processes helps enhance workflows, manage costs, and improve efficiencies, driving better outcomes and allowing hospital facilities to focus mainly on patient care. In March 2020, Swisslog Healthcare, in partnership with PipelineRx and Savioke, launched the Meds-to-Beds program, an initiative to provide outpatient pharmacy services at the time of discharge. The program includes automatic robotic delivery of prescribed medication and consulting to expand pharmacy capacity.
Pharmacy Automation Systems Market: Geographical Overview
North America holds the largest share of the pharmacy automation systems market. The pharmacy automation systems market in this region is split into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The growth of the market in the region is attributed to factors such as growing public awareness about automated technologies, and rising strategic moves by governments and pharmacy automation system vendors.
The US is the largest contributor to the pharmacy automation systems market in North America and the world. Market growth in the US is mainly attributed to the rise in medication errors and a surge in demand for pharmaceutical products. According to the study “Medication Errors,” published in StatPearls in June 2020, medication errors result in 7,000–9,000 deaths annually in the US. Thus, healthcare organizations have increased developments in pharmacy automation systems to avoid medication errors. In July 2023, Capsa Healthcare, one of the US-based players, acquired MASS Medical Storage. The acquisition of MASS Medical Storage provided Capsa with expertise in making medical storage and endoscope cabinet drying systems. Additionally, the acquisition would help strengthen Capsa Healthcare’s position in the global market, expanding the reach of its various pharmacy automation systems to end users such as hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers.
A few of the major primary and secondary sources referred to while preparing the report on the pharmacy automation systems market are the (AATS) American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Spanish National Health System (SNS), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), EMA (European Medicines Agency), and NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).