Is an Automated Pill Counter Really Worth It for Your Pharmacy?

If you’re running a pharmacy, you’ve probably seen automated pill counters before and wondered:
“Do I really need one?”
“Is it worth the money?”

It’s a fair question — and the answer depends on how you look at your time, your staff’s workload, and your bottom line.

Let’s break it down.

You’re Already Paying for It — In Time and Labor

Most pharmacies don’t realize how much manual pill counting costs them.

If your techs spend even 3 hours a day counting medications, that adds up fast. At around $20/hour, that’s more than $20,000 per year just on pill counting. And that doesn’t include the time spent double-checking, correcting mistakes, or dealing with interruptions.

It’s not just about the counting — it’s about what your team can’t do while they’re counting.

Accuracy Matters (and Humans Get Tired)

Even your most experienced techs can have an off day. Distractions, fatigue, or a rush at the counter can lead to miscounts. Studies have shown manual counting can have error rates as high as 12%.

That’s stressful for your staff — and risky for your patients.

An automated pill counter helps reduce those small errors that can have big consequences.

What’s It Like to Use One?

Honestly, most pharmacists are surprised by how easy they are to use. You place the pills on the tray, and it counts them in seconds. That’s it.

The goal isn’t to replace your staff — it’s to free them up to do higher-value work: helping customers, checking drug interactions, and staying on top of inventory.

So... Is It Worth It?

Here’s a simple way to look at it:

• Do you or your staff spend hours every week counting pills?

• Do you ever catch miscounts or have to double-check?

• Would you rather spend that time on patient care, clinical services, or growing the business?
  
  

If the answer is yes to any of those, then an automated pill counter is probably worth it for you.

One Last Thought

This isn’t about buying a fancy new gadget. It’s about making your life easier, your pharmacy more efficient, and your team less stressed.

And that, in our opinion, is worth it.

P.S. If you decide an automated pill counter is right for your pharmacy, or need help making the decision, book a demo with us to see if Sharpcount could help your pharmacy.