Sudbury pharmacy tech creates a better way to label prescriptions
Avalon Lupini, who has been a pharmacy technician in Sudbury for 17 years, has come up with an innovative solution to a common problem.
Lupini, who works in the pharmacy at Health Sciences North, said they often have to write expiry labels on prescriptions by hand.
Avalon Lupini, who has been a pharmacy technician in Sudbury for 17 years, has come up with an innovative solution to a common problem. (Health Sciences North)
"It often leaks on to the expiry label, resulting in the pen smearing and it's no longer legible," she said.
"So I came up with the solution."
Lupini worked with her husband, Dean, a software developer with Key Logic Software Solutions in downtown Sudbury, to design and build a prototype for Smarty Prints, a smart printer designed specifically for pharmacies.
The printers are $3,995 each and the specially designed labels are $25 per roll.
"The interesting thing about Smarty Prints is, I think the overall design" Dean said.
"We took advantage of certain electronics which are available today, you know, like a nice touch screen, for example ... And the platform is actually capable of doing many things. We started with one problem, but we hope to expand to others."
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
They said it was important to them that the product received the 'Made in Canada' designation.
"It means that the majority of the manufacturing and the components come from Canada," Dean said.
"So the software was written here in downtown Sudbury and the manufacturing, as much as possible, is done in Canada."
Health Sciences North Pharmacy, where Avalon has worked for the last seven years, and its satellite OR pharmacy, have been using Smarty Prints since April 2023.
HSN officials said the system saves time and improves safety.
"We put out four million doses of meds a year out of this pharmacy for our use throughout the building," said Michelle Nogalo, director of pharmacy at Health Sciences North.
Real time saver
"It's been a tremendous time-saver for the staff. I don't really (think) we counted the number of hours, but I'm thinking it's got to be at least five hours a week of their time."
Nogalo said it has also improved safety.
"That hand-written product could fall off these things that come out of the freezer," she said.
"They put out a lot of moisture as they thaw and then the product, the sticker will smear, disintegrate or fall off. So when a nurse or physician picks up a product, they need to know this is … OK to use and so that’s really been helpful."
Lupini said Smarty Prints is in use at HSN and one pharmacy in Sudbury. And at least five hospitals in the north that have expressed an interest, as well as one in the west, another on the east coast of Canada and another in the U.S.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alleged gang member driving from U.S. arrested at Canadian border after making wrong turn
An alleged gang member coming from the United States was arrested at the Canadian border after reportedly making a wrong turn onto the Peace Bridge border crossing.
Kingston, Ont. doctor ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages, says otherwise there will be 'HELL TO PAY'
President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY."
Negotiations between Canada Post, union still on hold
Canada Post says it's waiting for a response from the union representing some 55,000 striking workers after it offered a new framework for negotiations over the weekend.
Nova Scotia lawyer suspended following ugly courtroom fracas
A Nova Scotia lawyer who had to be restrained by deputy sheriffs during a court appearance earlier this year has lost his appeal of a suspension following the bizarre incident.
Wind chills of -50, snowfall of up to 50 cm: Canada's weather forecast
As the second day of December unfolds, Canadians from coast to coast are experiencing a range of wintry conditions. Here's what's happening in different parts of the country.
After multiple data breaches, Yahoo settled a class-action lawsuit. The deadline to file compensation claims is approaching
Yahoo and Rogers customers in Canada have until the end of the month to claim up to $375 cash from a data breach settlement.
Neighbours who sheared tops of B.C. man's bamboo plants ordered to pay $1K in damages
A B.C. man whose neighbours lopped the tops off of four of his bamboo plants has been awarded $1,000 in damages by the province’s Civil Resolution Tribunal.
Margot Robbie thought she'd 'go to jail' for slapping Leonardo DiCaprio during 'Wolf of Wall Street' audition
Margot Robbie made a creative decision to slap Leonardo DiCaprio in her 'Wolf of Wall Street' audition instead of kissing him, according to the 'Barbie' star.