A 100-year-old company is using robots to streamline efficiency and Segways to deliver product. Any guesses who it is? Located on Hargett St in downtown Raleigh, it’s Hamlin Drug Co., a pharmacy/drug store that most Raleighites pass every day. The Robot, aptly nicknamed “Mr. Pill,” automatically sorts pills and refills prescriptions in minutes flat – reducing cumbersome pharmacy lines.

 

With 81 year-old Dr. John Johnson overseeing the robot automation and the use of carbon-footprint-reducing Segways bringing prescriptions to your home or business, this is Raleigh innovation at its finest. The neighborhood pharmacy/drug store employs the old school business practice of impeccable customer service yet is at the forefront of new wave technology: The charm of old Raleigh, merging with the ideas of new.

You might think that by replacing people with robots they’re eliminating jobs and customer service is giving way to cold automation, but think again. Hamlin Drug is able to thrive because they are pioneering new technologies without sacrificing the likeability of their mom and pop shop.

 

Hamlin Drug should be part of your Raleigh routine – or at least your Raleigh Bucket List. Its old timey charm and modern business practices are a fine example of why the Triangle continues to pile up accolades and national press coverage. Stop in and chat with the staff or head over to their Facebook page, where they are giving away an iPad 2 this summer. Just one more way that Hamlin Drug Co. is keeping up with the times.