By Ayo Onikoyi

In an era where healthcare systems grapple with escalating costs and the persistent challenge of patient safety, the digital transformation of pharmacy services emerges as a critical solution. Pharmacist Genesis Inarumen, an expert in pharmacy management and health economics, sheds light on the profound impact of digital platforms in reducing medication errors and optimising operational efficiency within healthcare. His research underscores the potential for technology to create safer, more cost-effective pharmaceutical care.  

The burden of medication errors on global health systems is immense, contributing significantly to preventable harm and substantial financial expenditure. “Medication errors represent a major challenge, leading to adverse patient outcomes, extended hospital stays, and avoidable costs,” explains Mr Inarumen, whose work evaluates the economic benefits of digital interventions. Traditional pharmacy workflows, often reliant on manual processes, are susceptible to errors in prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, and administration.  

Digital pharmacy platforms, however, offer a powerful antidote. These systems encompass a suite of tools including electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), automated dispensing units, telepharmacy services, and sophisticated clinical decision support systems (CDSS). Mr Inarumen’s research highlights how these technologies work synergistically to mitigate risks inherent in manual processes. Automation, real-time data validation, and integration with electronic health records (EHRs) are key components enhancing accuracy and workflow continuity.  

E-prescribing systems, for example, tackle errors at the source by replacing illegible handwritten prescriptions with clear, electronic orders. “These platforms reduce transcription errors and improve the tracking of medication history, allowing providers to make informed decisions directly at the point of care,” notes Mr Inarumen. Integration with drug databases further enables checks for interactions, allergies, and appropriate dosing, significantly boosting prescribing safety.  

Automated dispensing technologies, such as robotic systems and Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs), address errors during the dispensing phase. These systems securely store medications and dispense them based on patient-specific, barcoded instructions, minimising the potential for selecting the wrong drug or dose. Mr Inarumen points to studies showing significant reductions in dispensing errors and improvements in inventory management with these technologies.  

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) provide another layer of safety, acting as a vigilant electronic advisor for clinicians and pharmacists. “CDSS tools flag potential drug interactions, duplicate therapies, allergies, and dosing issues in real-time, often directly within the EHR interface,” Mr Inarumen states. When properly calibrated, these systems prevent critical incidents by providing timely alerts during the prescribing and verification processes.  

The successful implementation of these tools hinges on seamless integration with broader health information systems, particularly EHRs. Mr Inarumen emphasises the importance of interoperability, stating, “Real-time access to comprehensive patient data, synchronised medication orders, and shared analytics across different care settings is essential for the effectiveness of digital pharmacy platforms”. Standardised protocols like HL7 FHIR are crucial for enabling this data exchange.  

Workflow design and clear user roles are equally critical to realising the benefits of digitalisation. Pharmacists, clinicians, nurses, and even remote reviewers interact with these systems differently, and workflows must be optimised to reduce redundancy and prevent alert fatigue. “Technology enables transformation, but its true impact depends on how well it aligns with clinical processes and supports the professionals using it,” advises Mr Inarumen.  

Economic evaluation is central to Mr Inarumen’s research, employing methods like cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses to quantify the return on investment for digital pharmacy solutions. “It’s vital to demonstrate not just clinical improvements but also financial value,” he argues. His work examines how reducing errors translates into tangible savings by preventing costly adverse drug events, shortening hospital stays, and avoiding readmissions.  

Direct cost savings also arise from operational efficiencies. Automated inventory management reduces waste from expired or overstocked medications, while streamlined workflows allow pharmacy staff to reallocate time from manual tasks to clinical activities. “Optimising human resources and the supply chain are key drivers of cost savings enabled by digital platforms,” Mr Inarumen highlights.  

Furthermore, digital systems enhance administrative efficiency by automating documentation, billing, and compliance reporting. Replacing paper-based records reduces overheads, speeds up reimbursement, and simplifies regulatory audits. These administrative savings contribute to a leaner and more resilient pharmacy operation overall.  

Real-world case studies consistently demonstrate the positive impact of these technologies. Hospitals implementing barcode medication administration have seen administration errors drop by over 50%, while facilities using CPOE with CDSS report significant reductions in prescribing errors. Telepharmacy models, extending pharmacist oversight to rural areas, have also proven effective in reducing errors while saving costs.  

Despite the clear benefits, challenges remain. Mr Inarumen acknowledges technical barriers like system interoperability and the complexities of integrating new tools with legacy infrastructure. Limitations in economic measurement methodologies also need addressing to fully capture long-term value and indirect benefits like improved staff satisfaction. 

Policy and regulation play a crucial role in driving adoption. Clear standards for digital health tools, data security (like HIPAA and GDPR), and appropriate reimbursement models are needed to incentivise investment and ensure equitable access. “Aligning reimbursement with the value generated by digital platforms, including improved outcomes and operational savings, is key,” suggests Mr Inarumen.  

Looking ahead, Mr. Inarumen, who holds both a Doctor of Pharmacy and an MBA and has experienced the pharmacy profession from his time at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Biofem Pharmaceuticals, sees continued innovation through technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain potentially further enhancing medication safety and supply chain integrity. “The ultimate goal,” he concludes, “is an economically sustainable digital pharmacy ecosystem that empowers professionals to deliver safer, smarter, and more personalised care, aligning technological advancement with the core needs of 21st-century healthcare”.