NEWS

Introducing a Tablet Case Drawer with Auto-Halving Function and a Half-Tablet Case – options that improve pharmacist workflow and reduce dispensing errors for the PHC ATC system

April 2, 2021
PHC Corporation

TOKYO, April 2, 2021 - PHC Corporation (headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Kyoji Morimoto, hereafter PHC) has today introduced the ATC-TCHC1-PJ tablet case drawer with auto-halving function and TK-80HC-PJ half-tablet case in Japan. Both are dedicated options for PHC’s Automatic Tablet Counting and Packaging System*1 (ATC) that can help to improve pharmacist workflow and provide better healthcare for patients.

With the introduction of new drugs, switching over to generic drugs, and an increasing number of elderly people taking multiple medications, a pharmacist’s workflow is becoming increasingly complex. Manually dividing tablets into halves with pill-splitter scissors or cutters as needed based on the patient’s prescription, symptoms, age, and physical characteristics increases the workload and may lead to dispensing errors.

PHC’s current ATCs can automatically package drugs for each dose according to the prescription, streamlining pharmacist workflow and enabling reliable medication management. However, current PHC’s ATCs do not support automated halving of tablets, which is still a manual process for pharmacists. The newly launched ATC-TCHC1-PJ is a tablet case drawer that automatically divides tablets into half. The matching TK-80HC-PJ is the drawer’s exclusive half-tablet case. Both are ATC-dedicated options that are designed to work specifically with the system. The products are compatible with round tablets*2, dividing them into two halves effectively*3. Using these two products together with PHC’s ATC-192GR2-PJ*4 ATC equipped with functions for automatically removing tablets from blister cards*5, enables total automation of the multiple manual processes*6, including deblistering and dividing tablets. This supports safer and more appropriate medication treatment by reducing pharmacist workload*7 as well as decreasing the risk of dispensing errors from manual procedures. In addition, with less manual drug manipulation by pharmacists, the use of this system assists infection prevention.

ATC-192GR2, TK-80HC

PHC is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation, a healthcare company that develops, manufactures, sells and services solutions across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, as well as providing healthcare services in Japan. These new products will expand the portfolio of pharmacy automation products in the life sciences business

Nobuaki Nakamura, corporate officer and co-head of Life Sciences/Diagnostics Domain of PHC Holdings Corporation said, “Since we first launched the ATC in 1973, we have been leading the pharmacy automation market in Japan and overseas. We expect the new tablet case drawer with auto-halving function will offer safer and enhanced medication dispensing services for patients by improving pharmacist workflow, reducing risks of dispensing mistakes due to human errors and supporting infection prevention measures. As we aim to become the leading provider of best-in-class precision solutions in global life sciences and diagnostics, we will contribute to improving medical care by providing solutions that meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals.”

*1 Compatible PHC products: ATC-128GR1-PJ, ATC-256GS1-PJ, ATC-256GR1-PJ, ATC-320GS1-PJ, ATC-320GR1-PJ, ATC-192GR2-PJ.
Product details: www.phchd.com/jp/biomedical/pharmacy (Japanese website)
*2 At present, half-tablet case only compatible with round tablets is available. Half-tablet cases for other shapes such as oval tablets are being considered.
*3 Can divide tablets into half more precisely than manual procedure using pill-splitter scissors or cutters, and packs with minimum mixing of tablet powder or flakes.
*4 www.phchd.com/jp/biomedical/pharmacy/atc/atc-192gr2 (Japanese website)
*5 Sheet packaging with each tablet sealed in between plastic and aluminum.
*6 To divide into half, tablets need to be deblistered and put in the dedicated case for the tablet case drawer with auto-halving function.
*7 Approximately 4.7 seconds saved per tablet (in-house survey)

About PHC Holdings Corporation

Incorporated in 2014, PHC Holdings Corporation is a global healthcare company with subsidiaries including PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG, Epredia, and LSI Medience Corporation. Committed to its corporate mission that states, “We contribute to the health of society through our diligent efforts to create healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people,” the company develops, manufactures, sells and services solutions across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, as well as providing healthcare services in Japan. The PHC Group’s consolidated net sales in FY2019 were 272 billion yen with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries.
www.phchd.com

About Biomedical Business Unit of PHC Corporation

Established in 1969, PHC Corporation is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation, a healthcare company that develops, manufactures, sells, and services solutions across diabetes management, life sciences and diagnostics globally, as well as providing healthcare services in Japan. The Biomedical Business Unit active in life sciences and diagnostics helps scientists and researchers in over 110 countries through its laboratory and medical support equipment and services including CO2 incubators and ultra-low temperature freezers.
www.phchd.com/global/biomedical/about-phcbi

Media contact:

Corporate Communications Department
PHC Holdings Corporation
+81-3-6778-5311