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Automation systems designed for centralized preparation and distribution of medications (e.g., filling medication carts or unit-dose cassettes) in the clinical pharmacy. These systems can usually read patient\'s medication orders and retrieve the correct medication, adjusting the inventory and/or the patient\'s bill. Most systems include a control module and robotic arms that are used either to choose from prepacked medicines or for automated packaging and dispensing unit-dose medications from bulk containers. These systems can accommodate oral medicines (solid or liquid), ophthalmic drops, prefilled syringes, and topical preparations; they are usually interfaced with the pharmacy and/or the hospital information systems. Clinical pharmacy automation systems are intended to improve the safety and/or efficiency of dispensing medications; they are usually configured according to particular hospital pharmacy requirements. Some systems can interact through the hospital information system with computerized medication cabinets located in patient care areas or nursing stations.
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