Automatic prescription drug dispenser
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing medications or medical supplies, comprising:
- a medical service provider prescribing a medication for a patient;
presenting the prescription to a pharmacy service provider in oral or written form;
the pharmacy service provider entering data about the prescription into a data input device that relays the data to a medication dispensing machine;
the dispensing machine automatically labeling a container holding the medication wherein the container is automatically labelled with patient-specific information by the dispensing machine;
the dispensing machine located remotely from the location of the prescribing medical service provider.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic prescription drug dispenser including a remote dispenser, a prescription entry system, and a communications network. The remote dispenser transmits and receives information from the communications network and dispenses prescription drugs to the patient. The prescription entry system transmits and receives information from the communications network and provides an input system for the prescriber to electronically enter individual prescriptions for each patient. The communications network coordinates communications between the doctor, insurance carrier, and the remote dispenser. The remote dispenser stores, retrieves, and labels prescription drug and over-the-counter products directly to patients through a remote automated dispenser, a prescription entry system, and a communications network. The remote dispenser transmits and receives information from the communications network and dispenses drugs to the patient. The prescription entry system transmits and receives information from the communications network and provides an input system for the doctor to electronically enter individual prescriptions for each patient. The communications network coordinates communications between the prescriber, insurance carrier, and the remote dispenser. Also described are various embodiments of apparatus and method of the invention useful in pharmacy settings as for example found in drug stores or “big box” retailers or other such settings. Other methods include providing a remote dispenser in virtually any location.
144 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing medications or medical supplies, comprising:
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a medical service provider prescribing a medication for a patient;
presenting the prescription to a pharmacy service provider in oral or written form;
the pharmacy service provider entering data about the prescription into a data input device that relays the data to a medication dispensing machine;
the dispensing machine automatically labeling a container holding the medication wherein the container is automatically labelled with patient-specific information by the dispensing machine;
the dispensing machine located remotely from the location of the prescribing medical service provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11)
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- 9. A method according to claim I further wherein the medical service provider is located in a medical service delivery facility, and the dispensing machine is in a location that is not co-located with the medical service delivery facility.
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12. A method for dispensing prescribed medications, comprising:
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a prescribing medical service provider prescribing a medication for a patient;
entering data about the prescription into a data input device that relays the data to a medication dispensing machine;
the dispensing machine automatically packaging the medication for the patient by labelling a container of the medication with patient-specific information, wherein the dispensing machine is located remotely from the location of the prescribing medical service provider. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for dispensing prescribed medications, comprising:
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a medical service provider prescribing a medication for a patient;
entering the prescription into a control system that communicates with a medication dispensing machine;
the dispensing machine automatically labeling a medication container holding the prescription medication with patient-specific information by the dispensing machine;
the dispensing machine located remotely from the location of the prescribing medical service provider. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method comprising:
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obtaining a prescription in electronic form from a medical service provider;
presenting the electronic prescription to pharmacy service provider using an electronic delivery system;
a dispensing machine labeling the medication and presenting it for pick-up.
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35. A method comprising:
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providing a dispensing machine located at a dispensing location;
presenting a written prescription for a drug at the dispensing location;
relaying information from the prescription to a pharmacist located remotely from the dispensing location who does not have immediate physical access to the dispensing location;
the pharmacist remotely operating the dispensing machine to cause it to automatically label a package of the drug with information specific to the patient;
the patient obtaining possession of the labeled medication at the dispensing location.
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Specification