Investment in automation marks a new chapter for Porter Pharmacy
Aberdeen Group’s new pharmacy robot will drive accuracy and efficiency, while freeing up pharmacists to work more closely with patients.
Read time: 4 mins Added: 05/09/25
Changing the face of community pharmacy
It was back in 2006 when pharmacists Andy and Lynne Porter bought their first pharmacy in Bridge of Don, a suburb in the north of Aberdeen. Since then, with support from Bank of Scotland, they have built a group of 10 pharmacies, including five former Lloyds Pharmacy branches acquired after that group was sold in 2023.
Most recently, the Porters acquired two new pharmacies in nearby Fraserburgh after the owners retired. But they found the shift to community pharmacies providing more clinical services, alongside a 15-20% increase in prescription volumes as the population ages, was putting increased demands on their 115 staff. So, in a move to make the business fit for the future, Porter Pharmacy has now invested in a dispensing robot, which is housed in a warehouse in Portlethen.
Using a hub and bespoke model, the new robot will manage stock and dispense repeat prescriptions, which make up around 75% of the Group’s business. Medicines are then delivered by van to all the Group’s branches every day for patients to pick up.
Accurate and efficient
Andy said: “We will still keep stock in branches, so patients will still be able to pick up medicines they’ve been prescribed by the doctor, like an antibiotic or a painkiller. But repeat prescriptions will be dispensed by the new robot at the hub, which will be able to process up to 80,000 items every month. That will free up a lot of time for our pharmacists to do more consultations and offer more services, from weight loss injections to travel vaccines.”
The extra space also means the Group can build up stocks of medicines to counter any potential supply shortages that may occur. And because the dispensing warehouse must technically be registered as a pharmacy, and must therefore have a pharmacist on site, the new location will also incorporate a clinic where Porter will be able to offer a range of new private services.
The investment in automation, and a fleet of four vans, has been funded using a Hire Purchase facility from Bank of Scotland, which has been the Group’s banking partner for the last 10 years.
Supporting communities with more services
Andy is also keen to highlight the impact of the Pharmacy First Plus initiative, which enables prescribing pharmacists to provide advice, treatments and medicines for common illnesses. The Group has worked to train its pharmacists to become pharmacist prescribers, who are legally allowed to prescribe prescription-only medicines.
Andy Porter Founder, Porter Pharmacy90% of our pharmacists are now prescribers, which means they can handle things like chest infections or skin infections, taking pressure off local GP practices. It means we have seen a massive increase in footfall and workloads for our pharmacists, which is another reason why we've invested in automation. In the last year, I would say we're doing 50% more consultations, and that number is still growing.
The future’s bright
Now, Andy and Lynne have a son and daughter who are keen to follow them into the family business, the future of Porter Pharmacy looks secure for generations to come. So, once the new technology has been fully integrated into operations, Andy says he will explore further opportunities to expand the Group by acquiring new branches.
Andy says: “I’m very positive about the prospects for community pharmacy. Every year, the volume of prescriptions we dispense goes up, so by automating that side of it, we can see more patients and treat more conditions. It means our pharmacists can utilise their skills, so they’re getting more job satisfaction, and it’s a huge plus for patients, who can just drop in without needing an appointment. That’s where the future lies, and Bank of Scotland is behind us all the way.”
Scott Beaton Relationship Director, HealthcareOver the last decade, I’ve worked closely with Andy and Lynne, as they have worked to make the most of all the opportunities that have come with the evolution of community pharmacy. I’ve continued to be impressed by their commitment to the communities they serve and the colleagues they employ, along with their entrepreneurial outlook and focus on innovation. Bank of Scotland will continue to deliver specialist support for the healthcare sector and back businesses across Scotland as they work to reach their full potential.