First ever smart pharmacy vending machine in Singapore unveiled

The machine features teleconsultation services available during work hours.

Changi General Hospital (CGH) revealed the first smart pharmaceutical vending machine in Singapore with a built-in teleconsultation feature for pharmacy only medicines, the organisation said.

CGH officially launched the Pharmacy Smart Interface System (PharmaSIS) vending machine that dispenses a wide range of over-the-counter medicines. For pharmacy only medicines which require supervision of a pharmacist, the machine has a teleconsultation feature where patients can connect with a CGH pharmacist from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. 

The pharmacist will assess the patient’s condition before recommending the appropriate medicine to take. CGH said it is also considering ways to extend consultation hours. 

Some of the medicines available are for the treatment of common minor ailments like cough, colds, diarrhoea, constipation, fever, skin itch, insect bites, and gastric reflux. Medical devices such as hearing aid batteries and other audiology products are also on offer.

To ensure medication safety and consumer confidentiality, CGH said the machines have smart safety features like an automated temperature and humidity control system. It also contains a real-time video feed to help the pharmacist monitor the process and make sure the correct type and quantity of medicines is dispensed and collected. 

"With the healthcare landscape evolving quickly and constantly, developments such as Artificial Intelligence, telehealth, and personalised medicine are some of the trends that will transform the way we work," Jonathan Seah, head pharmacist at CGH said.

The hospital plans to deploy the machines in community centres in Simei and at the CGH Community Nursing Posts.

PharmaSIS in April received authorities' approval to dispense pharmacy only medicines.