DURHAM, N.C., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Parata Systems today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of McKesson Corporation’s (NYSE: MCK - News) Automated Prescription Systems (APS) business unit. Under the agreement, the McKesson APS product line will come under the Parata banner, creating an integrated portfolio of automation solutions; from low-volume, semi-automated systems, to mid-volume workflow and robotics solutions, and high-volume processing. The goal of the alliance is to enhance the retail pharmacy market’s access to the most advanced technologies for enhancing the safety and accuracy of the prescription process.
The two companies also will enter into a long-term strategic alliance under which McKesson will become a sales lead resource for Parata in the United States and exclusive third-party distributor in Canada and Mexico. The transaction, which is subject to customary conditions, is expected to close in mid-to-late June. Upon the close, McKesson will fill two of five seats on Parata’s Board of Directors.
McKesson’s High-Volume Solutions division, the leading provider of customized, automated prescription fulfillment systems for the central fill, mail service and specialty pharmacy industries, will obtain exclusive rights to all of Parata’s products to serve this rapidly growing segment of the market.
“Parata built its strong market position on the superior speed and safety of our breakthrough counting and robotics technologies, coupled with compact size, capping capabilities and other features that no other company can offer,” said Jess Eberdt, CEO of Parata. “We look forward to aligning with McKesson to offer our retail pharmacy customers the most advanced technologies to enhance the safety and accuracy of the prescription process.”
“Together, Parata and McKesson will drive the growth of the pharmacy automation market through an unbeatable combination of engineering innovation, high reliability, strong distribution, and exemplary service and support,” said Paul Julian, executive vice president and group president, McKesson Corporation. “The partnership plays to the strengths of both organizations, with the ultimate winner being our retail pharmacy customers.”
Fewer than 10 percent of the nation’s retail pharmacies currently use automation, despite the proven safety, efficiency and cost-saving benefits of automated pharmacy systems. Adoption of automation technologies is on the rise, however, as pharmacies strive to ensure patient safety in the face of 10 to 15 percent annual prescription growth and a nationwide shortage of pharmacists.
About Parata Systems
Founded in 2001, Parata System’s flagship product, Parata RDS (Robotic Dispensing System), counts up to 30 tablets/second to accurately process up to 154 prescriptions an hour. In about 20 seconds, Parata RDS selects and labels a vial, fills, caps and sorts by patient last name. Its drug-to-vial accuracy is 100 percent. And at just 12 square feet, the sleek, compact machine is an easy fit in any pharmacy, occupying the space of a single shelving unit. Parata Systems is based in Durham, N.C. Call, click or visit Parata Systems, http://www.parata.com, info@parata.com, 1-888-PARATA1 (727-2821).
About McKesson Corporation
McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK - News), currently ranked 16th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 173-year history, McKesson has grown to provide pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit us at http://www.mckesson.com.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Parata Systems
