AHN opens new pharmaceutical distribution center in Jackson Township
JACKSON TWP — A new investment in southern Butler County aims to cut wait times and accelerate prescription delivery for local patients.
Allegheny Health Network officials on Friday afternoon, Feb. 27, gathered for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the company’s new 20,000-square-foot central fill and distribution center in Jackson’s Pointe Commerce Park.
The $10 million undertaking aims to improve timeliness, streamline operations and strengthen safeguards in the medication dispensing process.
“We will be able to fill a lot of the prescriptions here and mail them to patients’ homes so they don’t have to worry about stopping at a pharmacy,” said Arpit Mehta, AHN’s director of pharmacy. “It’s a huge advantage for the community, for AHN patients and for all of our providers who send the prescriptions and dispense from here.”
About 40 pharmacy professionals will use and oversee the system, including what’s known as the Parata Max 2 High-Speed, Vial Filling Robot. The system uses automation to label, count, dispense, cap and sort medications with greater accuracy and safety, according to AHN officials.
Because of those upgrades, the center will be able to fill up to 2,000 prescriptions in an eight-hour period, said Laura Mark, AHN vice president of pharmacy.
She noted AHN’s on-site and retail pharmacies had reached capacity for prescription filling, necessitating a move for additional space.
“This space will become very helpful because it’s very open,” Mark said. “We designed it so that we didn’t have any walls and so we could expand if we needed to. The other piece is that it’s close to a warehouse, so it’ll be easier for shipping companies like UPS and FedEx to come and pick up all of our prescriptions.”
“It’s very innovative and exciting to have something like this in the township because it can grow,” said Nikki Colton, Jackson Township’s planning director and zoning officer. “They can expand to up to three shifts, so it could be three times more productive than it is now. It’s the first type of pharmacy facility of its kind in the area and we’re excited that it’s here.”
Jackson Township Supervisor Chris Arnold said the facility reflects a broader trend that shows no signs of slowing down.
“Jackson Township is a growing community,” he said. “Companies and organizations realize the growth potential in this area: the access to the road and infrastructure that’s available here and the environmental living standards that we’re adhering to in this township going forward.”
