CareFusion, a medical technology company, has announced it will acquire Rowa, a Germany-based company which develops medication management systems for retail and hospital pharmacies to reduce costs and improve workflow, for approximately $150 million, according to a story at prnewswire.com.

Rowa makes robotic medication storage and retrieval systems. Its products “secure and automate” large amounts of medications, according to the press release, while at the same offering a way to keep pharmaceuticals refrigerated while in storage, a management system for stock input and a simple software user interface. Rowa has more than 3,500 installations in 30 countries.

"Rowa is the clear pharmacy automation leader in Western Europe with innovative technology that is complementary to our Pyxis® portfolio of products," said Kieran Gallahue, chairman and CEO of CareFusion, in the company’s press release posted at prnewswire.com. "Combined, we see an opportunity to provide customers outside the U.S. with a complete medication management offering and accelerate our global growth in the retail and hospital pharmacy automation segments."

CareFusion Pyxis automated dispensing systems allow healthcare providers to have secure access to medication on the nursing floor and close to patients, according to the press release. The Rowa products complement the Pyxis medication management systems with technology geared for the unique packaging required in many countries outside the U.S.

"Since forming Rowa in 1996, we have focused on building a brand that is innovative and reliable with superior customer service," Markus Willems, co-founder and managing director of Rowa, was quoted as saying in the press release. "Today, Rowa is one of the leading pharmacy robotics companies in Europe, and we look forward to taking our growth to the next level with CareFusion."

CareFusion will continue Rowa's focus on retail pharmacy customers, and at the same time, expand its customer base to Carefusion’s core hospital customers, according to the press release.  The company has more than 14,000 employees worldwide, and develops and manufactures “infusion pumps, automated dispensing and patient identification systems, and ventilators and respiratory products,” according to a story at nytimes.com.

“The deal is expected to be neutral to adjusted earnings in the first year and accretive thereafter, CareFusion said,” in a story reported by Susan Kelly at forexyard.com.

Deborah DiSesa Hirsch is an award-winning health and technology writer who has worked for newspapers, magazines and IBM (News - Alert) in her 20-year career. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.