Sinopharm Group Tongjitang (Guizhou) Pharmaceuticals Co has established a smart herbal medicine preparation center in the Guiyang Economic and Technology Development Zone (GETDZ). Hospital prescriptions are transmitted directly to the center via a big data system, enabling the entire process of medicine dispensing, decoction, packaging, and delivery. Medications are then delivered to patients' homes.
A staff member uses smart terminals to prepare herbal ingredients. [Photo/Guiyang news network]
The center completed its digital upgrade last October, integrating big data and AI technologies into every step of the process. This ensures full traceability, allowing patients to track each processing stage on their mobile phones.
Medicine preparation employs an AI-supported model with manual verification: standard medicinal ingredients are processed by an intelligent pharmaceutical warehouse, while rare or expensive herbs are handled manually. Processes are verified through a combination of AI vision, AI-driven prescription review, and checks by licensed pharmacists. Each prescription is assigned a unique identifier, with operational details recorded through QR code scans at each step.
A staff member manages the automated decoction equipment. [Photo/Guiyang news network]
The system automatically calculates the amount of water needed for soaking, manages the decoction duration for 210 machines, and uses 60 devices for automated packaging and labeling.
Following the digital overhaul, overall efficiency has increased by more than 10 percent, while label-associated costs have dropped by 40 percent. Currently, the center serves 37 hospitals within the province, processing 2,000 to 3,000 prescriptions daily and consuming 3.7 metric tons of medicinal ingredients per day.