At a Glance, What’s this About?
- Pharmacy automation is accelerating, with the global market projected to grow from $6.73 billion to $10.1 billion by 2029 (source: thebusinessresearchcompany.com)
- Key drivers: rising prescription volumes, workforce shortages, and demand for better patient outcomes.
- Cone Health’s solution: a 28,000-square-foot Central Fill Pharmacy in Greensboro, NC, designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith.
- Scope: consolidates operations for 180+ clinics, leveraging robotics and automation for subscribing, counting, and distribution.
- Benefits: improved speed, accuracy, scalability, and reduced manual workload for pharmacists.
- Future outlook: integration of AI and predictive systems like Epic (one of the largest providers of electronic health record (EHR) systems) will deepen automation, enabling patient-centered, scalable care.
- Takeaway: Cone Health’s Central Fill Pharmacy is a model for how thoughtful design and advanced technology can transform healthcare operations.
Employee breakroom at Cone Health Central Fill Pharmacy.
The Cone Health Central Fill Pharmacy in Greensboro, NC won a “CRE Best Projects 2025“ award from Triad Business Journal for its state-of-the-art robotic technology used in processing prescriptions, delivering innovative care to our communities.
Automation is reshaping the pharmacy industry at an unprecedented pace. The $6.73 billion pharmacy automation market is projected to grow to $10.1 billion by 2029, driven by rising prescription volumes, workforce shortages, and increasing pressure to improve patient outcomes. To stay ahead, health systems are rethinking how to balance speed, accuracy, and scalability in their pharmacy operations.
For Cone Health, the answer came in the form of a centralized, highly automated pharmacy designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith. At 28,000 square feet, the new Central Fill Pharmacy consolidates pharmaceutical operations for more than 180 clinics across its system. This efficient, modern facility serves as the heart of a logistics network that processes, packages, and ships medications to clinics daily.
Distribution conveyor belt at Cone Health Central Fill Pharmacy, designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith.
Designing Pharmacies for Innovation and Efficiency
When Cone Health set out to consolidate its pharmaceutical operations, the goal was more than bringing everything under one roof. The vision was to create a facility that supports advanced technology and gives pharmacy teams the tools to work faster and more accurately.
By automating key functions like counting, and distribution, pharmacies can increase fill rates and improve accuracy. This not only strengthens operational performance but also allows pharmacists to focus more on patient care rather than manual processes.
McMillan Pazdan Smith worked closely with Cone Health to design a space tailored to these needs. The facility integrates robotic fillers and automated sorting and packaging equipment from Parata, streamlining workflows and reducing the potential for human error.
Automated pharmacy technology at Cone Health Central Fill Pharmacy designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith.
Flexible meeting space at Cone Health Central Fill Pharmacy.
But technology alone doesn’t create a high-performing pharmacy. The design team incorporated features that support both the technical and human elements of the operation:
- Environmental controls like epoxy flooring, bright lighting, and humidity regulation ensure a safe, clean space for pharmaceutical handling.
- Robust infrastructure, including backup generators and redundant data systems, minimizes downtime in the event of power or service interruptions.
- Thoughtful workspace planning, with private and open offices, collaboration spaces and expansive meeting environments, fosters teamwork and efficiency.
- Enhanced security measures, such as secure access points, cameras, and alarms, safeguard sensitive medications and data.
A Model for Scalable, Patient-Centered Pharmaceutical Care
Facilities like Cone Health’s Central Fill Pharmacy offer a glimpse into the future of healthcare. As artificial intelligence and robotics continue to evolve, the integration of these technologies into pharmacy operations will only deepen. Systems like Epic are already helping health systems anticipate medication needs based on patient demographics and health trends. In this way, centralized automated pharmacies are positioning themselves to meet both current and future demands.
The Cone Health Central Fill Pharmacy demonstrates how thoughtful design can enable technology to transform healthcare. Designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith and constructed by Landmark Builders, this facility blends optimum efficiency with clean aesthetics to support high-tech operations while keeping people at the center.
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