High Volume Dispensing Systems Market Size, Share And Trends Analysis Report By Product (Systems/Cabinets, Software), By End Use (Retail Pharmacies, Hospital Pharmacies), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Report Overview

The global high volume dispensing systems market size was valued at USD 1,636 million in 2017. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period. High volume dispensing systems can be defined as cabinets for handling and dispensing large volumes of medication inventory.

Technological advancements, increasing incidence of medication errors, and growing adoption of pharmacy automation systems and software for high volume dispensing are among the key trends escalating market growth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2017, medical errors cause at least one death every year and responsible for injuries in about 1.3 million people in the U.S. annually.

Increasing number of prescriptions and mounting cases of non-communicable diseases are poised to provide a fillip to the market. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012, about 117 million people suffered from one or more chronic health conditions. In addition, spiraling demand for faster and accurate prescription processing is anticipated to further propel the market.

Recent technological advancements in structural designing of automated cabinets to process large volume prescriptions at a faster rate are likely to bolster the demand for these systems in retail pharmacy chains. For instance, Innovation Associates, one of the key market participants, started dealing in high volume dispensing solutions in which their quick start system ensures the processing of around 500-6,000 Rxs per 8-hour shift. It is ideal for independent, mail order, federal healthcare pharmacy, retail chains, and hospitals. The company also contains a large/custom designed system, which has the potential to process around 6,000 to 100,000 Rxs per 8-hour shift.

With the rise in the number of retail and mail-order pharmacies, the requirement for efficient systems and software for handling and dispensing large volumes of medication inventory increases. This, in turn, translates into an upswing in the demand for high volume dispensing systems. Moreover, rising pressure on the healthcare sector to curb prices of medications is further generating strong demand for these software and cabinets as they help in avoiding costs of excess inventory.

Increasing government funding for the installation of these cabinets in hospitals is estimated to help the market gain tremendous traction over the coming years. For instance, in 2016, Right to Care, a non-profit organization, had initiated a pharmacy automation scale-up program in collaboration with the government of South Africa at Helen Joseph Hospital. Besides this, surging demand for reducing the number of inventory discrepancies in pharmacies and hospitals is one of the primary growth stimulants for the market.

Product Insights

In 2017, the cabinets segment accounted for the largest share in the market in terms of revenue. Soaring demand for effective pharmacy workflow coupled with growing concerns regarding safe dispensing of medications is expected to augur well for the sales of high volume cabinets. Moreover, the increasing number of prescriptions is responsible for generating large medication inventory, which in turn is projected to contribute to the growth of the segment.

Technological advancements in cabinet designs for improving patient safety and prescription processing are supplementing the growth of the high volume dispensing systems market. Recent developments in cabinet designs include the use of RFID, barcode, and imaging technologies along with the implementation of innovative software solutions. For instance, the Omnicell XT Series Automated Dispensing System is designed in a way that ensures maximum workflow efficiency and promotion of patient safety.

High volume dispensing software is poised to exhibit a higher CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period. Increasing demand for pharmacy software solutions in order to streamline workflow is one of the key factors anticipated to trigger the growth of the segment over the same period. In addition, the growing adoption of these large volume dispensing software solutions and systems in various medical applications, especially in case of controlled substances, is stimulating the growth of the overall market.

End-Use Insights

In 2017, the retail pharmacies segment dominated the market owing to the rising number of retail pharmacies and prescriptions, which in turn, is generating significant volumes of medication inventory. Apart from this, burgeoning demand for specialty medicines spurs the need for these cabinets and software that allow safe and efficient dispensing of medications. For instance, in 2012, about USD 325.8 billion were spent on medication in the U.S., 26.7% of which was spent on specialty drugs.

These cabinets are proven effective in decreasing labor costs as well as in avoiding understocking or overstocking of medications. Furthermore, an increase in favorable initiatives by governments and public & private players to implement these systems in pharmacies is augmenting the market. Growing cost burden and risk of medication errors are further fueling the demand for high volume dispensing systems.

The implementation of these systems in hospital pharmacies is likely to increase at a noteworthy growth rate of 7.4% over the forecast period. Increasing inventory discrepancies, rising number of medication errors, and growing focus on reduction in workload are boosting the demand for these systems in hospitals.

Regional Insights

North America was the leading revenue contributor in the market in 2017 owing to the presence of a large number of market players that increases the availability of these systems in the region. Early adoption of such cabinets and software by pharmacies as well as hospitals and rapid technological advancements are working in favor of the market in this region. Besides this, increasing investments by public and private bodies in the sector of pharmacy automation are estimated to help the region retain its position through 2025.

Growing concerns pertaining to inadequate inventory management are providing a remarkable push to the demand for these cabinets and software in the region. Rising incidence of chronic diseases in the region is driving the need for refilling medication and thus, increasing the overall inventory, which in turn is expected to bode well for the regional market.

Asia Pacific is estimated to post the highest CAGR of 10.1% over the forecast period. Rising number of prescriptions, shortage of qualified pharmacists, and continual efforts for improvement in healthcare infrastructure are among the key factors fostering the growth of the market in the region. In recent years, due to increasing healthcare expenditure, growing incidence of dispensing errors, and mounting disease burden, medication inventory is projected to rise. This, in turn, is stoking the demand for high volume dispensing systems over the forecast period.

High Volume Dispensing Systems Market Share Insights

Omnicell, Inc.; McKesson Corporation; Innovation Associates; TCGRx; and ScriptPro, LLC are some of the key players operating in this market. The global presence of market players including Omnicell, Inc., and McKesson Corporation is contributing to market growth. In addition, the growing trend of agreements and partnerships to acquire new technologies is positively impacting the growth of the market. Currently, the market is dominated by multinationals, but, many small players are increasingly investing in these systems. However, the high cost of installation and maintenance of these systems may hinder their penetration in developing countries.

High Volume Dispensing Systems Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, & country levels and provides an analysis of industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research, Inc. has segmented the global high volume dispensing systems market report on the basis of product, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Systems/Cabinets

  • Software Solutions

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Retail Pharmacies

  • Hospital Pharmacies

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • The U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia-Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East Africa

    • South Africa