Fully automatic tablet packaging machine with built-in camera significantly reduces the burden of inspection process.

As “pharmaceutical collaboration” deepens against the backdrop of a super-aging society,the role of community pharmacists has shifted from traditional dispensing and medication counseling to a focus on patient follow-up.While the focus is increasingly on the interpersonal aspects of a pharmacist’s work—such as improving the quality of community healthcare and individualized drug therapy—there is also an urgent need to streamline tasks involving physical operations, such as picking and multi-dose packaging.

At “Aeon Pharmacy Itabashi” (Itabashi Branch, Tokyo), which fills a wide range of prescriptions from pediatric clinics to various departments in general hospitals, the pharmacy is actively introducing dispensing equipment to ensure safe and reliable dispensing.

This report details a case study in which the pharmacy introduced Yuyama Manufacturing’s “Litrea-i,” a fully automatic tablet packaging machine equipped with a verification support function, to further streamline its operational tasks.

Shifting toward patient-focused care while addressing the needs of multi-dose packaging.

“Aeon Pharmacy Itabashi” is located within “Aeon Style Itabashi,” approximately a 3-minute walk from Tobu Nerima Station on the Tobu Tojo Line. Focusing primarily on pediatric, ophthalmology, and dental clinics within the shopping center (SC), the pharmacy receives an average of over 5,000 prescriptions per month from a wide catchment area, including nearby long-term care hospitals, university-affiliated hospitals, and clinics.

“Aeon Pharmacy,” operated by Aeon Retail (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture), operates approximately 280 stores in Aeon-affiliated shopping centers nationwide, with its year-round, 365-day operation being a key strength.Furthermore, leveraging the shopping centers’ ability to attract customers, the pharmacy actively engages in community-based integrated care through health events and home visits, providing comprehensive services.

“We previously use a standard dispensing machine, but as the number of elderly patients requiring multi-dose packaging for various kinds of medications increased, our existing machine could no longer keep up, so we introduced a model specialized for multi-dose packaging,” says Keigo Takahashi, the managing pharmacist.Taking advantage of the store renovation last October, they introduced the “Litrea-i,” establishing a system to improve efficiency and shift focus to patient-focused care without increasing the number of pharmacists.This model is equipped with exactly the necessary specifications and is contributing significantly to the efficiency of the multi-dose packaging process.

Flexible cassette structure and high-precision verification support functions.

“Litrea-i” is an all-in-one tablet packaging machine that integrates two cameras (one above and one below) with a cassette mechanism, featuring proprietary “Variable Cassettes (VC)” and “Universal Cassettes (UC).”Previously, the cassette could not be used for another medication when the medication changed; however, the VC allows for easy specification changes using a control terminal and an automatic calibration unit.The “UC” features a dispensing exit that adjusts according to the shape of the medication, allowing for flexible adaptation to changes in the medication being used.

Furthermore, the machine is equipped with a “cassette lid-lock function” that is enable customer to opens upon verification of a GS1 code. Mr. Takahashi praises this feature, stating, “It prevents incorrect loading during medication filling, leading to further improvements in safety.”

With “Litrea-i,” dispensed medications are collected in a dedicated tray and simultaneously photographed from both the top and bottom using dual cameras prior to packaging.Photographing the medications directly before packaging ensures accurate identification of the medication information. The advantage of the dual-camera system is that it can reliably distinguish between medications even when the printing or design differs on the front and back.

The included image inspection support software, “JSD-i,” analyzes the characteristics of the packaged medications and displays them in a single row, sorted by medication.Medications identified as errors are color-coded on the display as “NG” or “Unidentified.” If repackaging is required, the specified package can be easily repackaged with a simple touch on the screen.“By clearly displaying the drug name and captured image side by side, anyone can perform inspections accurately and quickly,” says Mr. Takahashi.

The Peace of Mind That Image Assistance Brings to “Error-Prone” Tasks.

Mr. Takahashi said, “Dispensing errors in multi-dose packaging are absolutely unacceptable, the ability to verify them using clear images has reduced the mental strain.”He also highly praised the system’s usability, “It’s intuitive and easy to use; I was able to master it immediately without any special training.” Previously, pharmacists visually inspected packaged medications one by one, but they have now transitioned to a system that uses a display for image verification.The time saved by introducing “Litrea-i” is being utilized for patient-focused cares—such as medication follow-up and home visits—allowing pharmacists to further put their professional expertise into practice.

(From the DRUG magazine)

Information as of October 2025