What looks like a pill vending machine is helping Service Drug of Midland fill its prescriptions more accurately and freeing up pharmacists to better help customers.

Owners John and Kimberly Davis "went live" with the Parata RDS machine Dec. 15. The robot filled 43 percent of prescriptions that day and 60 percent Dec. 16.

The 12-square-foot machine holds 252 drugs and could ultimately take care of 70 percent of orders filled with 100 percent accuracy, Kimberly Davis said.

The device fills prescriptions in 20 seconds, putting it directly into a vial so there is no chance of cross-contamination. The cycle also includes labeling the vial, filling, capping and sorting it by the patient's last name. Each prescription is also barcoded for additional patient safety.

The machine also fills prescription requests placed through the Integrated Voice Response System when people call after hours.

"Instead of a person having to come in and wait for hours at some stores, our goal has always been 10 minutes," John Davis said, adding Parata RDS should reduce waiting times even further. It will also give him more time to visit and counsel clients.

"Our pharmacists are trained to provide patient care. This technology will give them more time for these activities," Kimberly Davis said.

"We're excited. We have an extra employee that doesn't get sick, doesn't call in late and is available 24 hours," John Davis added.

In business since 1945 and mostly in the same family, the 24-member staff pharmacy provides a compounding lab, cholesterol and blood tests to show whether a patient is properly managing their diabetes, flu vaccinations and a gift shop, among other things.

"The main thing is it takes our service level up so we can visit with patients. This will not require us to increase our staff. It allows us to control our staffing needs," John Davis said.

The Davises first read about the machine in a trade magazine and inquired about it at a trade show they attend yearly.

Service Drug is the third independent pharmacy in Texas to obtain the machine. Town & Country in Odessa also has one, John Davis said.

Service Drug is being showcased by the Durham, N.C.-based Parata, which will bring in people from across the country and the world.

Town & Country received its machine Oct. 19. It replaces an older model.

"It's working (well). ... It holds 100 more sales and it's a little bit quicker," Town & Country owner Gary Warren said. Because it uses compressed air instead of hydraulics, the Parata RDS is less robotic looking and sounding than its McKesson predecessor.

As with Service Drug, the Odessa pharmacy initially purchased the McKesson machine to increase efficiency, allow the pharmacist to spend more time with patients and reduce medication errors.

Along with Warren, Town & Country employs two other pharmacists and five pharmacy techs. "... We're able to fill about 500 prescriptions with ease. It's a big help when somebody's out. It probably reduces the need for another tech and maybe another pharmacist," he said.

Kimberly Davis said people have already transferred their business to Service Drug because of the 100 percent accuracy claim.

Opened in 1945 and the Davises are its third owner, Service Drug was most recently owned by Kim's parents, Don and Marilyn Haynes. It takes 99 percent of people's insurance, although people may not realize it, plus they have the same co-payment as any other pharmacy, Kimberly Davis said.

The Davises first met in a dental explorers group, which shows interested youngsters what the profession is like. They got to know each other better while attending Midland College.

Don Haynes suggested the pharmaceutical profession. John Davis went to work for Kim's parents and enjoyed it. John earned a pharmacy degree and Kimberly a marketing degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla.