22nd September 2025
In the ever-evolving world of pharmacy, staying ahead of capacity challenges while ensuring exceptional patient care is no small feat. For one high-volume pharmacy group, managing the equivalent of 50 traditional locations, demand was soaring, and they needed a solution that would centralise operations, streamline workflow, and enhance medication adherence.
Before integrating Venalink’s Qube, MW Phillips, a family-owned pharmacy group in Birmingham, relied on plastic blister packs with fold-over lids. While functional, these packs posed some concerns to the experienced pharmacy team. “We knew we needed something more robust,” Jaswant Jeers, Superintendent Pharmacist recalls. “Venalink had all the right qualifications in place, especially when it came to sealing.” Security was a key concern. The old trays were vulnerable – seals could be peeled off and reattached undetected, putting patient safety at risk and complicating adherence. “They could be tampered with so easily,” Jaswant explains. “With Qube, it’s a different story and its front-and-back design makes it easier for patients to read the day and dosage times.” Volume was another pressing issue. Jaswant reflects, “We struggled to fit all the medication into those plastic trays. Sometimes, one patient needed two trays. With Qube, that problem disappeared” Qube’s high-capacity blisters reduce hassle and the waste of using additional packs for patients on heavier medication regimes or larger tablets/capsules.
When they explored their options, MW Phillips knew they needed more than just a new blister pack—they needed a smarter, more efficient system. Enter Venalink’s Qube: designed for automation, security, and ease of use. One early concern was the bounce-back rate – tablets popping out of their cavities when dispensed. But Qube’s deep blisters and flexible materials were designed to reduce this phenomenon. Then there was the human factor. “Customer support was a huge part of our decision,” they emphasise. “The Venalink team is fantastic. Dave [National Sales Manager] was always there when we needed him. He trained our staff, walked us through the process, and built our confidence in the system.” Hands-on support can make all the difference, especially in such a high-volume setting.
Switching to Qube wasn’t just about upgrading packaging – it was about optimising workflow. By embracing pharmacy automation, MW Phillips shifted from manual dispensing to patient-centric services. The impact? Immediate and undeniable. Jaswant recalls, “Our numbers didn’t just increase, they doubled, even tripled. Centralising was a no-brainer.” He paints a vivid picture of the transformation: “Imagine the stress of a patient asking for another blister pack, and you physically can’t make any more in-store. That stress is gone. Now, we focus on service-level side of things.” The Results: Efficiency, Accuracy, and Better Patient Care.
With Qube in place, MW Phillips saw powerful improvements:
• Time Savings: “This system frees up our dispensers and technicians to focus on patient care instead of packing trays.”
• Error Reduction: “Qube is built to last—three months in a patient’s home without falling apart or compromising safety.”
• Improved Adherence: “Its design makes it far easier for patients to use” ensuring they stay on track with their medication.
When asked if they’d recommend Qube, Jaswant’s response was instant and emphatic: yes.
“We actively recommend it. Other pharmacy groups looking into automation ask us all the time. Our answer? Venalink is the way to go. The fact that we haven’t switched suppliers in three years speaks for itself.” For pharmacies aiming to stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape, solutions like Qube deliver the security, efficiency, and reliability needed to meet growing demands. As MW Phillips’s experience proves, the right system doesn’t just improve workflow—it transforms the way patient care is delivered.