LINTHICUM, Md. — Care Pharmacies Cooperative Inc. has enlisted a pair of technology providers to hone its pharmacy and retail operations.

The pharmacy co-op, with about 85 locations in nine states and the District of Columbia, has tabbed TCGRx to provide products and design services to improve its medication adherence program and work flow.

“TCGRx’s vial filling automation and will-call retrieval solutions will drive pharmacy efficiency and improve the customer experience,” Care Pharmacies director of operations Mark Ey stated.

TCGRx’s product line includes ATP adherence packaging units and the Beacon inventory management system.

“Independent pharmacies need products and solutions that will see them through the changes to consultative care. With our products and design services, we can show a pharmacy how it can add an adherence packaging solution to increase their volume or how to cut their pharmacy space in half so that they can add a clinic or consulting area,” commented Duane Chudy, chief executive officer of Powers Lake, Wis.-based TCGRx.

Care Pharmacies also is adopting a new point-of-sale system under a partnership with Retail Management Solutions (RMS).

Plans call for Seattle-based RMS to offer its POS solutions to all current and future Care Pharmacy locations nationwide.

“With this new partnership, the Care stores will be able to utilize RMS’ pharmacy-specific POS solutions to help grow their customer base, manage the business more effectively and ultimately increase store profits,” stated Mike Gross, vice president of sales and marketing at RMS.

RMS specializes in POS technology for retail and outpatient pharmacies. Its offerings include POS systems, devices and software and mobile and customer loyalty solutions.

“We were happy to choose RMS because as most other POS providers are spread across the retail spectrum, RMS has demonstrated a single focus and dedication to pharmacy,” Ey noted. “Its broad range of solutions will support the many specialized services that Care pharmacies offer, including a mobile delivery solution.”

The POS solutions will be tailored to specific Care Pharmacy locations and include special features, such as mobile payment and delivery, RMS noted.

“What they are doing in the retail pharmacy market is very innovative and will greatly change how independent pharmacies promote a singular brand among all their members,” Gross added. “Using our solutions will help drive this goal and bring the stores closer together, despite their member stores being located across the country.”