Operating a network that fills 20,000 prescriptions weekly across Minnesota, Fairview is scaling its centralized pharmacy operations to combat workforce shortages and the rise of pharmacy deserts. The Vmax 160 system automates labor-intensive tasks such as inventory replenishment, labeling, and cold-chain storage. By replacing manual workflows with high-speed robotics, the health system aims to enhance medication safety through automated expiry tracking and more precise lot management.

This initiative expands on Fairview’s existing partnership with BD, which already includes the implementation of the BD Parata Max 2 vial-filling technology. Matt Sassone, President of BD Pharmacy Automation, noted that the investment signals a broader industry transition toward scalable, autonomous models for medication access. The technology is designed to integrate into the BD Incada Connected Care Platform, effectively bridging the gap between central pharmacy fulfillment and patient-facing dispensing services.