Over the past decade, hospital pharmacy has continued to move away from a centralized distribution approach in favor of the point-of-care model that relies heavily on ADCs. Given the significant undertaking that such a change requires, it is no surprise that the move to point-of-care distribution is slow but steady.

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Point-of-care distribution maintains its role as the preferred method of distribution, followed respectively by centralized and hybrid approaches.

Interestingly, facilities of all sizes predict very similar approaches to medication distribution over the next 5 years, although the hybrid model is projected to be slightly more popular among the largest facilities.

A variety of devices are required for efficient medication distribution. While most facilities have a strong reliance on ADCs, efficient distribution requires augmentation with additional approaches. Pneumatic tubes, COWs, couriers, and medication carts all play an important role in supplementing medication delivery to the floors.