University of Mississippi pharmacy students Heba Marzouk (left) and Mia Bryant practice skills in a School of Pharmacy lab. Photo by Sage McNamara/School of Pharmacy
Partnership brings industry-leading pharmacy technology to classrooms
Pharmacy students at the University of Mississippi will have access to state-of-the-art pharmacy automation technology, thanks to a new partnership with Becton, Dickinson and Co., better known as BD.
BD is one of the world’s largest global technology companies, employing more than 70,000 people working to develop technology, services and solutions that help advance clinical therapy for patients and the clinical process for health care providers.
Through the new partnership, BD will install its BD Pyxis PharmacyKeeper suite of cloud-based software tools and supporting hardware in the school’s skills lab. The technology offers web and mobile applications supporting technology-assisted workflows for pharmacy compounding, including labeling, component validation, and medication preparation, approval, and delivery.
“This partnership symbolizes our commitment to nurturing the future of pharmacy practice,” said Adam Pate, chair of the UM Department of Pharmacy Practice. “By integrating BD’s technology, we’re preparing our students to excel in an evolving health care landscape.
“This cutting-edge technology will equip them with hands-on experience in pharmacy automation, setting them on the path to success in pharmaceutical compounding.”
Many pharmacies leverage a combination of both manual and technological tools in managing their sterile and nonsterile compounding operations and workflows. With ongoing labor challenges in the pharmacy environment, along with evolving regulatory requirements, automation technology is playing an increasing role in day-to-day pharmacy operations.
“More and more, we’re seeing that pharmacies are moving away from time-consuming manual processes and looking to technology to optimize the preparation of compounded medications,” said Craig Greszler, senior manager of medical affairs for BD’s Medication Management Solutions business.
“Our vision for this partnership is to prepare graduates of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy to practice at the top of their license by equipping them with training and hands-on experience with the type of technology they’ll encounter in their careers.”
Students and researchers will have access to the technology, which will debut in the pharmacy school in early 2024.
“Having these technologies in our school significantly enhances our ability to provide our students with dynamic, future-oriented learning experiences and ensures they have the knowledge and skills to excel in their careers and thrive in a rapidly changing health care system,” said Donna Strum, Ole Miss pharmacy dean.
By Natalie Ehrhardt
