DURHAM, N.C. — Parata Systems has entered a group purchasing agreement with Premier Inc. to provide medication and supply automation and outpatient pharmacy technology.

The pharmacy automation specialist said the three-year pact gives all of Premier’s approximately 3,900 hospitals and 150,000 health providers nationwide access to Parata’s broad technology portfolio, including automated vial dispensing, pouch packaging, and consulting and support services.

Members of Charlotte, N.C.-based Premier, which describes itself as a “health care improvement” company, also will be able to take advantage of special pricing and pre-negotiated terms for outpatient pharmacy technology.

“Parata is excited to begin this partnership with Premier because it’s exceptionally rare when two companies’ missions are so directly aligned towards enhancing the health care industry for providers and patients alike,” commented DJ Dougherty, chief executive officer of Parata Systems. “While driving efficiency and medication adherence are two main focuses of our technology solutions, the most important thing Parata and Premier are working together to improve is the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

Some of Parata’s leading solutions include the Parata Max high-speed robotic dispenser and Parata PASS strip packaging that organizes medications to improve adherence.