Pharma and Medical manufacturers using robots

Medco uses robots to fill prescriptions...Stryker Orthopedics uses robots in manufacturing and packaging of their products...BD

Industrial robots are on the march at pharmaceutical, life science and biomedical companies. Robot orders jumped 13 percent at such companies in the first half of the yearthe largest increase for any industry other than car makers. The Robotic Industries Association (RIA), which publishes roboticsonline.com, says the increase topped the 11 percent rise in orders from health care companies in the first half of last year. New Jersey is home to the country's largest concentration of medical products and services companies, with manufacturers ranging from Merck & Co. in Whitehouse Station to knee- and hip-implant maker Stryker Orthopaedics in Mahwah, and service providers including pharmacy benefits manager Medco Health Solutions Inc. in Franklin Lakes.