A new partnership between St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and New Zealand firm Veriphi is bringing advanced technology into cancer care. Veriphi’s IV medication verification system will be used in the hospital’s sterile oncology compounding pharmacy to enhance safety and accuracy in treatment under a 12-month supply agreement.
World-First Technology Targets High-Risk Medication
Veriphi’s system, which has been in development for over a decade, uses a combination of laser spectrometry, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing to verify the identity and concentration of intravenous medications in real time. It is designed to catch potentially life-threatening errors before drugs reach the patient.
The company’s analyser represents a new checkpoint in the compounding process—where the highest risk of error exists, especially in oncology.
“St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is excited to be working with technology company Veriphi to improve medication safety in our sterile oncology compounding pharmacy,” said Andrew Cording, Chief Pharmacist at St Vincent’s. “The safety of our patients, including medication safety, is a top priority for St Vincent’s, so we are proud to be working with world-leading technology.”
The Agreement Enhances Oncology Capabilities
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is a tertiary public healthcare provider, with more than 880 beds and over 5,000 staff. It operates as part of St Vincent’s Health Australia—the country’s largest not-for-profit health and aged care provider. This supply agreement is Veriphi’s first commercial hospital contract and marks a milestone in its mission to make hospitals safer through technology.
“We are delighted to be working with St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne,” said Greg Shanahan, Managing Director of Veriphi. “Our values regarding the protection of patient safety from medication error align perfectly with St Vincent’s. We are proud to collaborate with an organisation whose culture and focus on patient outcomes are supported by Veriphi’s breakthrough technology.”
Technology Responds to Global Medication Safety Challenge
Medication errors are among the most common and preventable threats to patient safety globally, and the risk is heightened when it comes to intravenous drugs used in cancer treatments. The medications require meticulous compounding, and even minor miscalculations can result in severe harm.
Veriphi’s analyser allows hospital staff to verify drug doses at the point of preparation, adding an essential layer of protection in high-risk pharmacy settings.
International Expansion Underpinned by Investment Round
Veriphi’s partnership with St Vincent’s has set the stage for a wider push into international markets. The company is currently raising funds to support its expansion across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
The brand’s goal is to reduce harm in complex treatments is a growing focus for hospitals worldwide. St Vincent’s is responding through its partnership with Veriphi, reflecting an approach where safety and technology go hand in hand in cancer care.