Wireless Mobile Computing System Helps Bartell Drugs Comply With The Law, And Better Serve Customers

Seattle-based Bartell Drugs, the nation's oldest drugstore chain, implemented a program using Honeywell's Dolphin 7900 Mobile Computers with ComplyScan™ software from Pharmitas, Inc. Together, they automate the transaction logging process associated with the sales of non-prescription cough and cold products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine (PSE). These precursor drug ingredients are commonly used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine.

There's a growing epidemic that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are used to produce the illegal drug methamphetamine. To address this drug crisis, local, state, and federal laws regarding the sale and distribution of PSE ingredients are now in effect, with some states having more stringent PSE requirements than others.

Pharmitas, Inc. and Honeywell presented Bartell Drugs with a solution that enabled their retail pharmacies to replace manual, paper-based logbooks with ComplyScan, a wireless and automated data capture and management system. The system provides Bartell Drugs with real-time logging and reporting of regulated PSE product sales, electronic signature capture, secure storage of all transaction data, and on-board CMEA training/certification for pharmacy staff. Additionally, Pharmitas trained pharmacy staff members to use ComplyScan with the Dolphin 7900 Mobile Computer and provided Bartell Drugs with 24-hour, 7-days per week technical support. ComplyScan is HIPAA compliant and fulfills the requirements of the CMEA as well as any local and state mandates for PSE product sales.