Keys to Success Lay in a Complete Supermarket Pharmacy Solution

May 7, 2007

MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA – In an effort to add value and differentiate themselves, more and more grocery stores are adding pharmacies to their in store offering. On the technology side, having a solution that encompasses both grocery and pharmacy operations does not have to mean functionality is sacrificed. Auto~Star’s Star~Plus point-of-sale and retail management software is designed for both grocery and pharmacy retailers to reduce overhead costs and improve the bottom line. Auto~Star understand that grocers need a solution designed for a retail environment that includes fast transactions, direct store delivery options, and Food Stamp and WIC capabilities, to name a few. In searching for a complete supermarket pharmacy solution, the following features should be considered on the pharmacy side:

Features Required for a Supermarket Pharmacy System

• Integration with Dispensary Software
  Integration between the store’s pharmacy dispensary and point-of-sale allows for a seamless operation that reduces errors and increases security. Star~Plus is integrated with over 10 pharmacy dispensary systems. The program displays the prescriptions that have been processed at the pharmacy and allows for comparison between scripts processed and scripts sold. Communication between the two systems also enables scannable prescriptions that include the Rx number and the price, allowing for faster, more accurate transactions.
• HIPAA Compliance
  The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted to address the increased threat electronic information storage and distribution pose to personal privacy. Pharmacies are required to obtain written consent from individuals prior to using or disclosing protected health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations. Star~Plus ensures HIPAA compliance with customizable messages for required prescription signatures. The electronic signatures are stored for future retrieval and auditing. Star~Plus also offers customizable messages for safety caps and disclaimers.
• CMEA Compliance
  The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) was signed into United States law to regulate, among other things, retail over-the-counter sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine products. Retailers are required to accurately control and report on sales of these substances. Star~Plus is able to identify controlled substances within a product, track sales of such substances with added customer information, enforce the limits defined, and report on attempts to violate the limits.

Auto~Star Compusystems is a software company that develops point-of-sale software for pharmacy, grocery, and general retailers across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. The company’s products provide seamless end-to-end solutions to optimize efficiency and customer satisfaction, while lowering operating costs. For more information on Auto~Star, please visit
www.auto-star.com.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Sarah McOuat, Marketing Manager
Auto~Star Compusystems Inc.
Voice: (888) 460-6963 ext. 1507
Email: sarahm@auto-star.com

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