Scotland's first biometric safe for controlled drugs has been installed at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

The new BD Pyxis C2 Safe replaces the old dual lock system and manual recording for dispensing drugs.

The new system uses a biometric thumbprint, and the 'state-of-the-art' safe electronically tracks and monitors the use and replenishment of controlled drugs within the pharmacy.

This new technology not only is more secure for managing controlled substances, but it also increases workflow efficiency by reducing duplication.

In the future, the system will integrate with additional medication management technologies.

This will create an automated system for ordering, dispensing, and auditing controlled drugs across the hospital.

This move away from the traditional lock and key system with manual recording of controlled drugs is part of a wider programme of upgrading Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s robotic pharmacy systems.

The hospital has three robots, named Rosie, R2D2, and Lindsay Lohan, which automatically load, pick, dispense, and label medicines.

Due to software limitations and outdated hardware, they have now reached the end of their life after 14 years of service.

However, all of the metal components are being recycled to minimise waste.

A new pharmacy robotic system has been installed, which is much smaller, quicker, and more advanced than its predecessor.

This will speed up the dispensing process and free up more time for pharmacy staff to spend on the wards supporting local staff and patients.

It will also create more space in the pharmacy department for other staff and services, including pharmacy oncology, home care staff, and a new learning zone to support staff training and development.

The new pharmacy robots will also help improve efficiency and reduce medicine waste, as they can store and dispense partly used medication packs and deal with packaging of all shapes and sizes.

Hazel Jamieson, pharmacy operational services manager at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, said: "Having access to this new robotic technology will significantly improve and future-proof our hospital-based pharmacy services, as well as freeing up local staff to spend more time supporting patients and helps us to support having the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

"Managing this complex replacement programme has taken many months of detailed planning and I’d like to thank the local pharmacy team and staff across the wider hospital for their support in making the transition run as smoothly as possible."

Following a competition to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, the two new robots have been overwhelmingly voted by staff to be named Duke and Baron in honour of the local Kelpies landmark.

Ross McGuffie, NHS Forth Valley's chief executive said: "Forth Valley Royal Hospital has also been at the forefront of using new technology and I’m therefore delighted to unveil this latest state-of-the-art robotic equipment within the hospital’s pharmacy."