In the following interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kasia, a Norwegian pharmacist who recently acquired Pharmaself24. Through her experience in the Norwegian pharmaceutical industry and the implementation of this innovative automated solution, we will explore the contribution of Pharmaself24 to the current challenges faced by Norwegian pharmacies and the benefits it brings to patients.
How have Norwegian pharmacies changed in the last 5 years in response to global shifts in the industry?
In the last five years, the Norwegian pharmacy landscape has witnessed several significant changes.
The first I would mention is Digitalization: Like many other countries, Norway has embraced digitalization in its pharmacy sector. Online pharmacies have gained popularity, allowing people to order medications and healthcare products from the comfort of their homes. The availability of digital platforms has provided convenience and expanded access to pharmaceutical services. The other change has happend in Prescription Services: The introduction of electronic prescriptions has streamlined the process of prescribing and dispensing medications.
The role of pharmacists in Norway has expanded in last few years: Norwegian pharmacists have taken on more prominent roles in healthcare. They are increasingly involved in patient care and medication management, providing counseling, conducting medication reviews, and offering advice on self-care and over-the-counter products. This expanded role aims to optimize patient outcomes and improve overall healthcare delivery.
Norwegian pharmacies provide services such as vaccinations, smoking cessation support, and advice on healthy lifestyles. Pharmacists play an active role in raising awareness about public health issues and providing information on preventive measures.
What could be the Pharmaself24’s contribute to Norwegian pharmacies facing today challenges?
In my opinion Pharmaself24 could potentially provide several contributions to Norwegian pharmacies. Pharmaself24 can operate 24/7, allowing pharmacies to extend their service hours without the need for additional staff. This can be especially beneficial in areas where pharmacies may have limited operating hours, ensuring that customers have access to medications and healthcare products outside of regular business hours.
Streamlined prescription dispensing: Pharmaself24 automate the prescription dispensing process, reducing waiting times for customers and freeing up pharmacy staff to focus on more complex tasks. This can help alleviate the strain on pharmacies experiencing high volumes of prescriptions, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Reducing workload for pharmacists: By automating routine tasks like prescription dispensing, Pharmaself24 can help alleviate the workload for pharmacists. This enables pharmacists to focus more on clinical services, such as medication therapy management, drug interactions, and counseling, which require their expertise.
How the Pharmaself24 could benefit the Norwegian patients?
Extended Access to Medications: Pharmaself24 provides patients with the convenience of accessing medications and healthcare products beyond regular pharmacy hours. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who may have difficulty visiting a pharmacy during normal operating hours due to work commitments, mobility issues, or other constraints.
Reduced Waiting Time: By automating the dispensing process, Pharmaself24 can potentially reduce waiting times for patients. Instead of waiting in line at a traditional pharmacy, patients can quickly retrieve their medications from the automated system, improving efficiency and saving valuable time. Enhanced Privacy and Confidentiality: Some patients may prefer to maintain privacy regarding their medical conditions or the medications they are taking. Pharmaself24 allows patients to pick up their prescriptions in a discreet manner, minimizing the potential for judgment or unwanted disclosure.
