John's Pharmacy gets automatic pill dispenser

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to a source error, some information about the Chamber day at the Capitol was incorrect. That information has now been corrected.

John's Pharmacy is the first independent pharmacy in Cape Girardeau to install an automatic pill dispenser, freeing the pharmacy team to focus on high-quality patient care and service.

"It's an investment in the future of our pharmacy, and reflects our commitment to the highest standards of patient health and safety," said pharmacist John McMullin, president/owner.

Parata Max fully automates the dispensing of pills, tablets and capsules, which are typically about 60 percent of a pharmacy's prescriptions.

The machine selects and labels each vial, counts the right number of the right medication and strength, caps the vial and sorts the finished prescription by patient name, all in just seconds.

It takes several minutes to complete the same steps by hand, McMullin said. It's also far more accurate than manual counting, he added.

Today, half of consumers choose their pharmacies for proximity to home or work; yet, 59 percent acknowledge they would favor a pharmacy whose use of automated dispensing equipment made prescription errors less likely, according to the Parata Prescription Safety survey, McMullin said.

* New warehouse for River Eagle: Anheuser-Busch Inc. wholesaler River Eagle Distributors has purchased a new warehouse to store its growing non-alcoholic product lines. In recent years, the company has added Dad's Rootbeer, Monster brand enhanced-energy drinks, Xing Teas and Taste of Florida mixers. The 10,000-square-foot warehouse building, 2027 Rust Ave., is almost directly across the street from its present facility. "We are trying to expand into other areas," said Kevin Patterson, operations manager. "There are a lot of new teas are out there and we see a market for that." Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place Ltd., represented the seller, Blattner Steel Inc. in the transaction.

* City Centre businesses open: LeBounce Indoor Inflatable Play Centre opened Friday in the former Rust & Martin building, now renamed City Centre, at 2502 Tanner Drive in Cape Girardeau. LeBounce offers more than 6,000 square feet of inflatable play elements, a 400-square-foot toddler play area, a parents lounge and private party rooms. Also located in City Centre and now open is The Source: Yoga 'N' More. Owner Lauren Jones is an instructor and also teaches yoga classes at Healthpoint Plaza. The Source offers yoga, pilates, dance, qigong, tai chi and meditation classes, as well as private sessions.

* Dino's Pizza receives liquor license: Dino's Pizza, 1034 Broadway, recently reopened and has now been issued a liquor license, according to owner Kostas "Gus" Demopoulos. The restaurant is well-known for its pizza, Greek food, fried chicken and mojos. The Demopoulos family has been in the restaurant business in Cape Girardeau for 43 years and also recently operated a location in Anna, Ill.

* Chamber sponsors day at the Capitol: Cape Chamber Day at the Capitol will be Feb. 22. The event is hosted by the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Elite Travel, AT&T and the Southeast Missouri State University Office of the President and the Student Government Association. The cost to attend is $129 for Chamber member companies and $169 for non-Chamber member companies. Registration fee includes lunch, dinner and charter transportation to Jefferson City, Mo. The deadline for reservations is 5 p.m. Feb. 15. To reserve a seat, please contact Debbie Hamilton at the Cape Chamber office at 335-3312 or at info@capechamber.com.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmiller@semissourian.com.