Oono Corporation Hikari Pharmacy

Users can receive their prescriptions at any time of the day, without face-to-face contact.

type	Number of doors	Outer dimension size (mm)
Refrigerated lockers (for indoor use)	4 doors	Width 520 x Depth 675 x Height 1900
Refrigerated lockers (for outdoor use)	4 doors	Width 500 x Depth 600 x Height 1800

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Ltd., which operates "Hikari Pharmacies" based in the Tohoku region and "Plaza Pharmacies" based in the Kanto region, contributing to the healthy and affluent lives of local residents. For this interview, we spoke with Hikari Pharmacy, which introduced SPACER lockers, about the background to the introduction of the system, its effects after introduction, and how it is being used.

We have seen your efforts to make effective use of customers' waiting time, such as the existing service called "Machimiru," which allows customers to check the readiness of their medications outside the pharmacy, but what was the background behind your decision to introduce lockers?

I was originally interested in lockers because of the Corona Disaster and the non-confrontational, contactless medication delivery service that is being considered for the electronic prescription system, which will be in operation from January 2023.

How many companies did you consider when introducing the system?

We considered two companies. After listening to their explanations, we thought that the basic functions of the lockers themselves were probably the same as those of other manufacturers, so we settled on two companies.

What were the deciding factors in choosing SPACER lockers among the two companies you considered?

In terms of lockers, I think it's hard to see a big difference, but the reason I chose your company is because
The system can be unlocked with a cell phone, has no touch panel, and can be used as a corona countermeasure.
The absence of a touch panel (control terminal) allows for a lower price for the same functionality.
was the deciding factor.

So, when the decision was made to install SPASER lockers, why were these stores (Kitayobancho, Arai Nishi, Ishinomaki) chosen among many others?

We assumed 24-hour delivery, and if we were to do 24 hours + installation inside the bureau, the cost of remodeling the store would be prohibitive, so installation outside the bureau was an absolute requirement. However, as of early 2021, when we started working on this project, there were no examples in Tohoku, and we thought it would be difficult to clear issues such as permits.
However, even if lockers were installed, users would still come into the bureau, so we looked for an elevator hall as close to the bureau as possible and chose "Kita Yonbancho".
Since then, due to changes in the external environment, it has become possible to install outside of the station, thus making it possible to install outside of the station from "Arai West" + 24-hour delivery.
Another reason is the large number of patients who come to the department due to the fact that it is a multi-disciplinary department.

At the Arai West branch, where prescription drug delivery is now available 24 hours a day, has there been any actual after-hours pickup?

Yes, we did. Because we were unfamiliar with it at first, we sometimes asked customers to pick it up during business hours, and after confirming with the customer that everything was okay, we asked them to pick it up after business hours.

We use smartphones to unlock lockers, but do you still see a lot of locker use by older people who are used to using smartphones?

Kita Yonbancho Store
4. Many of our patients are in their 50's or in their 30's with their children. In the case of elderly patients, family members make use of the service when they come to pick up the items on their behalf, and these individuals become repeat customers every month.

Some patients who visit a dermatologist receive their oral medications first and ointments (ointments) in their lockers. This is because ointments (ointments), which require a mixture of several kinds of medicines, take more time to prepare than the oral medicines.

Arai West Store
Basically, the same is true, and the majority of the users are in their thirties to fifties at the moment.
Also, since we are a pediatric department and have many children with us, I have the impression that we are gradually spreading the word through flyers and verbal talks.

Please tell us about the introduction of the lockers and any steps you have taken to familiarize people with the use of the lockers.

Inserts in Living Sendai (local information magazine)
Distribution of flyers at stores
Inquire on our website by using the QR code from the above flyer.
Distribution of press releases to TV stations and newspapers
Miyagi Kotsu Bus Advertisement
Verbal explanation at stores
Installation of window signs in stores (QR codes installed and LINE friends registered)
Publication in the abstracts of the 55th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pharmacists Association

What feedback have you received from store staff and customers who have used the prescription drug pickup lockers?

Kita Yonbancho Store
user: Visitors with children said that it is good to be able to make good use of the waiting time, as children often cry during the waiting time.

Store StaffThe staff members were anxious about operating the application, but they were able to practice and share how to use it among store staff, explain it to patients, and confirm receipt of the application, which gave them confidence. This helped them to gain confidence.

Arai West Store
user: Since our main focus is internal medicine, we often ask for your time when we packaged your medications in one package, but we are often asked for your help in terms of being able to pick them up on your own timing.
In many cases, family members have come to pick up the tickets on their behalf, and we have received comments from some of our patients that they would like to continue to receive such support in the future.

Store StaffI have the impression that the staff is gaining confidence by experiencing a series of processes at least once per person, which lowers the hurdle for them.

Corporate Information
name of company	Oono Corporation
Business	Pharmacy management (Hikari Pharmacy and Plaza Pharmacy) Manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products Sales of medical equipment and hygiene materials In-home care support business Sales of cosmetics
Establishment	February 1977
uniform resouce locator	https://www.hikari-pharmacy.co.jp/

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