In our 100th episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast, host Scott Carpenter, EVBC, interviews Michael Beck, Director of Med-ID for Australia and New Zealand. Michael shares their entrepreneurial journey from small business beginnings to spearheading innovation in the Pharmacy industry with SynMed robots. Join the two as they explore the transformative impact of automation and the future of medication safety and pharmacy operations.
Michael recounts their early career in small business and retail before transitioning into medical radiation technology, where they played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of medical imaging. This journey eventually led Michael into the Pharmacy sector, where they pioneered the deployment of SynMed robots for medication packing. They highlight their collaboration with Lucy Walker, marking the first SynMed implementation in an Australian Pharmacy.
Scott and Michael further explore their efforts to revolutionize medication safety and Pharmacy operations. Michael discusses their partnership with Dr. Paul Gooden and the establishment of Med-ID, detailing their journey from conceptualization to navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite obstacles, they successfully introduced SynMed robots across Australian Pharmacies, scaling their business significantly and eventually merging with BD Rowato form BD Rowa SynMed.
The conversation shifts to the innovative aspects of SynMed technology, emphasizing its robust design with metal components and advanced pick-and-place mechanisms for precise and rapid medication packaging. Michael underscores SynMed’s role in not only solving logistical challenges but also enhancing Pharmacy revenue streams through efficient service delivery. They highlight SynMed’s seamless integration with major software systems and the support received from pioneers in Australian medication packing.
Scott reflects on his extensive tenure in the Pharmacy industry, focusing on the evolving landscape and the importance of customer relationships, particularly in aged care settings. Michael expands on the strategic implications of robotics and automation in pharmacies, advocating for models like the hub and spoke system to optimize efficiency and customer engagement. They conclude with a discussion on community engagement, emphasizing how Pharmacies can meet the growing demand for healthcare services among aging populations by offering enhanced, frequent services like health checks and consultations.
Overall, Scott and Michael underscore the transformative impact of automation on Pharmacy operations, envisioning a future where technological advancements not only streamline processes but also elevate patient care and business sustainability in the healthcare sector.
Topics Covered
- Michael Beck’s entrepreneurial journey
- Deployment of SynMed robots
- Medication safety and Pharmacy operations
- SynMed machine design and efficiency
- Robotics and automation in Pharmacies
- Evolving Pharmacy business landscape
- Customer engagement and service expansion
- Building customer relationships
- Strategic benefits of automation
Key Quotes (Time Stamps)
- “So, we were going from an analog world to a digital world. So, my role in there was Product Manager for the IT division, which basically did what Fujifilm did for digital cameras: took x-rays from the film world into the digital world. And what came of that was the amazing time with moving images around, helping streamline practices, doing all those really good things that Pharmacy is just starting to get into now in a really good way.” (5:06 – 5:36)
- “And they also use some very, very interesting technology which we call pick-and-place. So, instead of dropping a medication down a chute as a pouch machine would do, we actually pick the medications up out of the actual cassette with a pipette that’s vacuum controlled. And that gives us a couple of really, really dramatic options. So simply, what it means is that we can pack at speed, and we can pack it highly efficiently and safely—we have a very high accuracy rate.” (12:50 – 13:22)
- “We’ve been very, very fortunate in this marketplace to have not only a high speed but also a highly efficient machine that actually gives a return on investment. So, you’re not buying it to solve a problem; you’re actually going to solve the problem, service more customers, and make an income out of it. So, it’s another revenue stream.” (13:31 – 13:45)
- “It’s a very strong community product, and it’s very strong to have, for your parents or people that have medication adherence issues—to have that blister card that can actually work much better with their medication.” (16:16 -16:28)
- “I must say, this is not the cheapest machine on the market, but I must stress it’s the only one that gives a solid return on investment.” (17:28 – 17:35)
- “It’s a reliable, affordable service that basically takes that service for the Pharmacy customers off the hands of the Pharmacist and helps them a lot.” (22:43 – 22:51)
- “I am very passionate about the business of healthcare but also about the actual uses of healthcare.” (31:24 – 31:31)
- “If Coca-Cola could pack the Coke bottles manually, why would they have automation? They do it for a reason. They do it to actually enable their people to do better things.” (32:06 – 32:16)
Social Media Clips (Time Stamps)
- From Retail to Radiography: Michael Beck’s Journey to Pharmacy Innovation (2:12 – 6:08)
- Challenges and Triumphs: Michael Beck on Bringing SynMed to Market (6:10 – 10:18)
- Precision and Profit: The SynMed Advantage in Pharmacies (12:15 – 14:10)
- SynMed’s Journey: From Lucy Walker to National Success (14:18 – 17:51)
- Michael Beck on the Future of Pharmacy: Efficiency and Customer Care (17:52 – 28:48)
- How Automation Frees Pharmacists to Focus on Care (29:51 – 33:20)
Useful Links
Scott Carpenter, EVBC | LinkedIn
Shopfront Solutions: Overview | LinkedIn
Aerion Technologies: Overview | LinkedIn
Aerion Technologies | Helping Non-Techs Build Better Tech
