TCGRx (TCG), based in Powers Lake, Wis., has introduced its Beacon system in the United States and Canada. This is a drug management system that replaces the traditional method of alphabetized medication organization with a computerized system based on utilization. Low-energy LED lights direct the pharmacist or technician to the medication stock location, which is then verified with a barcode scanner.

Organizing medication usage by activity makes the Beacon system's high-density shelving space efficient. A Beacon system with 100% of the formulary can be as small as 
400 square feet. This smaller footprint allows pharmacies to increase profits by increasing the size of retail or counseling space, while reducing unnecessary and wasted staff movement.

The inventory control and reporting functionality track on-hand inventory levels, usage, returnable inventory, expired inventory, and will-call expiration.

One user of the system, Wayne Macardy, president of Phillips Healthcare Pharmacy, says that the system "allowed us to stay in the same building that we have been in for nearly 100 years and still be able to add a drive-thru window and a closed-door pharmacy within our existing retail space."