PTMR Industry Watch, June 29, 2026

 Hi everyone,

At Pharmacy Technology and Management Review, we spend our time tracking the services and tools that actually move the needle for clinical offerings, pharmacy operations, and the bottom line. With the busy summer trade show circuit in full swing, I wanted to share a few notable news announcements from technology vendors as well as legislative updates and applicable study findings.

If you have news to share or a story you’re tracking, please reach out. My contact info is at the end.

The “New Pharmacy Experience” from Outcomes

Outcomes just announced a significant rollout of what the company is calling its “New Pharmacy Experience.” The goal here is simple: Stop making pharmacists fight their software. By leaning into enhanced automation and tighter cross-tool integration, the company is aiming to cut down on manual busywork.

As Megan Urban, Pharm.D.,  Outcomes’ director of product marketing, put it: “Pharmacy practice has a growing demand for tools that reduce friction while improving clinical impact.” It’s a great reminder that when we streamline operations, we aren’t just saving minutes — we’re unlocking time for patient care.

Outcomes will be demoing this across the board at Cardinal Health RBC and Cencora ThoughtSpot. If you’re attending, it’s worth a closer look to see how it aligns with your own workflow. Get more information here.

Practical Automation: Scaling Without the Robot

For many independent pharmacies, the leap to a massive, industrial-scale dispensing robot feels like too much, too soon. Duane Chudy, chairman at JFCRx, recently noted that automation should be accessible, not overwhelming.

The company just announced a new trio of packaging tools — TruCard Light, TruPak Spark, and TruScript — designed for pharmacies looking to scale their chronic care programs without the complexity of a full-scale warehouse setup. You can find the full details on their latest packaging expansion here.

JFCRx Expands Entry-Point Automation for Blister, Pouch & Vial

News | JFCRx has announced the expansion of its portfolio of growth-ready prescription fulfillment platforms.

Pharmacy Technology & Management ReviewThe Editors

Leadership Moves at iA

Efficiency-at-scale is the name of the game for iA, which is making some major shifts in its long-term growth strategy. The company has just named James Hammerschmidt as its new CFO (bringing a deep background in healthcare tech and EBITDA optimization) and Srinivas Chintha as EVP of research and development to lead its product innovation. It will be interesting to see how this new leadership team shapes its integrated technology platforms in the coming year. Read more here.

iA Appoints CFO and EVP of R&D for Next Phase of Growth

iA announced the appointments of James Hammerschmidt as Chief Financial Officer and Srinivas Chintha as Executive Vice President of Research & Development to support its long-term growth strategy and platform innovation.

Pharmacy Technology & Management ReviewThe Editors

The “Wearable” Gap: Opportunity for Pharmacists

Our columnist Brent Fox recently wrote a fantastic piece on the future of personalized health data. It’s timely, especially given a new report from the Yale School of Medicine suggesting that patients with cardiovascular disease are actually less likely to use wearables consistently.

 The study highlights a recurring theme: While clinicians are ready to use this data, patients still face barriers — education, income, and comfort with tech. This is where the pharmacy shines. Pharmacists are the trusted, tech-comfortable bridge in the community. When a patient has a device, you are in the best position to help them document, store, and share that data with their providers.

• Check out the Yale report findings here:

Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Less Likely to Use Wearable Devices to Track Health Status

A recent study in JAMA Network Open found that fewer than 1 in 4 people with or at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) use wearable devices, and only half of

Yale School of MedicineChristina Frank

• Read Brent Fox’s take on the future of these innovations here.

These Innovations Are Worth Following

Pharmacists are often at the leading edge when it comes to integrating health information technology (HIT) into practice settings. Among some of the most discussion-worthy HIT developments are digital twins, healthcare gamification, and the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement.

Pharmacy Technology & Management ReviewThe Editors

Quick Hits: News of Interest

• CMS Bridge Program: NCPA has shared the latest on the program regarding weight-loss drug coverage taking effect next month. Details here.
• Discount Cards: A new study from The Ohio State University looks at the “who wins and who loses” debate regarding prescription discount cards. Read the findings here.
• Illinois Investment: A $25 million push in Illinois is helping 430 pharmacies expand access in underserved areas. It’s a great look at how flexible funding can be used for things like telepharmacy and extended hours. The full announcement is here.

I’d love to hear what you think. Are you seeing these same trends? 

Best,
Maggie
VP, ComputerTalk/PTMR