Method and system for centralized medication fulfillment

• US 20050209879A1
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ambo Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ambo Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Chalmers, Anne-Marie
• Application Number:
  US10/804,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20050209879A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A method and system for providing multiple medication products to a patient (for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body by the patient) through a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, on an individualized, patient specific custom basis, in a cost effective, expedient manner which results in the maximization of medication intake compliance by the patient. The invention encompasses a method and system for a treating physician or physicians to electronically transmit to a centralized medication product fulfillment facility prescriptions for multiple medication products for an individual patient, with each such prescription being received electronically at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility, and with the central medication product fulfillment facility then assembling and immediately distributing, generally directly as directed by the patient, the combination dosages of multiple medication products, which can be sourced from various points of origination, with each such combination dosage of said medication products, which has been customized on a patient-by-patient basis.

Claims

1. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of orders for multiple medication products, comprising the steps of:

sending orders for multiple medication production products to a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

filling the said orders for multiple medication products at the said centralized medication product fulfillment facility; and

sending the said medication products as directed in said order.

2. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

prescribing by a physician of a prescription for medication products for an individual patient;

sending the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

filling the said prescription at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility; and

sending the said medication product from the centralized medication product fulfillment facility directly to the patient.

3. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

prescribing by a physician of a prescription for medication products for an individual patient;

sending the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

filling the said prescription at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility; and

sending the said medication product from the centralized medication product fulfillment facility directly to an intermediary for subsequent pick-up by the patient at the location of the intermediary.

4. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

prescribing by a physician of a prescription for medication products for an individual patient;

sending the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the accuracy of the said prescription;

filling the said prescription at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility; and

sending the said prescription from the centralized medication product fulfillment facility directly to the patient.

5. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

prescribing by a physician of a prescription for medication products for an individual patient;

sending the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the accuracy of the said prescription;

filling the said prescription at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility; and

sending the said prescription from the centralized medication product fulfillment facility directly to an intermediary for subsequent pick-up by the patient at the location of the intermediary.

6. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

communicating, by communication means, between a patient and a physician regarding a health condition of the patient;

diagnosing by a physician of a health condition of a patient;

prescribing by the physician of medication to address the health condition of the patient;

sending the said prescription to a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

filing the said prescription through a computer directed automated assembly production line at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility; and

dispatching the said medication product from the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to the patient.

7. The method of claim 6, in which the said communication means is a personal visit be the patient to the physician.

8. The method of claim 6, in which the said communications means is a telephone call between the patient and the physician.

9. The method of claim 6, in which the said communications means is a video conference between the patient and the physician.

10. The method of claim 6, in which the said communications means is a satellite communication between the patient and the physician.

11. The method of claim 6, in which the said communications means is an internet communication between the patient and the physician.

12. A system for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising

means for a prescribing physician to transmit a prescription for medication for an individual patient to be immediately electronically sent to and received at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the accuracy of the said prescription;

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to fill the said prescription; and

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to send the prescription medication directly to the patient.

13. A system for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising

means for a prescribing physician to transmit a prescription for medication for an individual patient to be immediately electronically sent to and received at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the accuracy of the said prescription;

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to fill the said prescription; and

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to send the prescription medication directly to an intermediary for subsequent pick-up by the patient at the location of the intermediary.

14. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

prescribing by a physician of a prescription for medication for an individual patient;

sending the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized medication fulfillment center;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the accuracy of the said prescription;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the safe dosage of the said prescription;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the safe drug combination of the said prescription;

filling the said prescription in individualized, customized presentation packaging; and

sending the said prescription from the centralized medication product fulfillment facility directly to the patient.

15. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

prescribing by a physician of a prescription for medication for an individual patient;

sending the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized medication fulfillment center;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the accuracy of the said prescription;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the safe dosage of the said prescription;

confirming at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility the safe drug combination of the said prescription;

filling the said prescription in individualized, customized presentation packaging; and

sending the said prescription from the centralized medication product fulfillment facility directly to an intermediary for subsequent pick-up by the patient at the location of the intermediary.

16. A system for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising:

means for a prescribing physician to transmit a prescription for medication for an individual patient to be immediately electronically sent to and received at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the accuracy of the said prescription;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the safe dosage of the said prescription;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the safe drug combination of the said prescription;

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to fill the said prescription in an individualized, customized presentation packaging; and

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to send the prescription medication directly to the patient.

17. A system for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising

means for a prescribing physician to transmit a prescription for medication for an individual patient to be immediately electronically sent to and received at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the accuracy of the said prescription;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the safe dosage of the said prescription;

means at the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to confirm the safe drug combination of the said prescription;

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to fill the said prescription in an individualized, customized presentation packaging; and

means for the centralized medication product fulfillment facility to send the prescription medication directly to an intermediary for subsequent pick-up by the patient at the location of the intermediary.

18. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

visiting a medical facility/physician by a patient;

diagnosing by a physician of the health condition of a patient;

determining by a physician the medication to prescribe for the patient;

prescribing by a physician of medication for a patient;

recording and memorializing the said prescription by the physician using electronic means an electronic notepad;

transmitting the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

receiving at a computer located at a centralized the prescription medication fulfillment facility the prescription from the physician;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the said prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescription has been properly read at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescribed dosages are within the recommended limits;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a prescription database to assure that the prescription is not incompatible with other medications currently prescribed to the same patient;

transmitting electronically by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer a message back to the prescribing physician for clarification and confirmation if the said prescription is not understood by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer, or if the said prescription is for dosages which are not within recommended limits, or if the said prescription is not compatible with other medications then currently taken by the same patient;

notifying the patient by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer that the prescription will not be filled at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility, if the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility had not received any requisite confirmation from the physician confirming the uniqueness of the prescription as to the specific patient;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for one medication or for multiple medications;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for liquid medication or for solid medication or for both;

directing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer to the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility packing production equipment to fill the prescription;

causing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the printing of a label for the medication;

affixing the said printed label by centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility label affixing equipment to the said packaged prescription medication;

subjecting the said packaged and labeled prescribed medications to appropriate quality control procedures;

addressing the said quality control approved medication package, using centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer directed addressing equipment, for delivery in accordance with instructions provided by or for the patient;

preparing and processing the said addressed medication package for dispatch from the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility; and

dispatching the said medication package by overnight messenger delivery service directly to the patient.

19. The method of claim 18, in which the said electronic recording and memorializing means is an electronic notepad.

20. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

visiting a medical facility/physician by a patient;

diagnosing by a physician of the health condition of a patient;

determining by a physician the medication to prescribe for the patient;

prescribing by a physician of medication for a patient;

recording and memorializing the said prescription by the physician orally using a voice recorder;

processing and converting the said orally recorded prescription, using speech recognition software and associated hardware, into computer readable format and language;

transmitting the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

receiving at a computer located at a centralized the prescription medication fulfillment facility the prescription from the physician;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the said prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescription has been properly read at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescribed dosages are within the recommended limits;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a prescription database to assure that the prescription is not incompatible with other medications currently prescribed to the same patient;

transmitting electronically by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer a message back to the prescribing physician for clarification and confirmation if the said prescription is not understood by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer, or if the said prescription is for dosages which are not within recommended limits, or if the said prescription is not compatible with other medications then currently taken by the same patient;

notifying the patient by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer that the prescription will not be filled at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility, if the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility had not received any requisite confirmation from the physician confirming the uniqueness of the prescription as to the specific patient;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for one medication or for multiple medications;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for liquid medication or for solid medication or for both;

directing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer to the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility packing production equipment to fill the prescription;

causing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the printing of a label for the medication;

affixing the said printed label by centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility label affixing equipment to the said packaged prescription medication;

subjecting the said packaged and labeled prescribed medications to appropriate quality control procedures;

addressing the said quality control approved medication package, using centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer directed addressing equipment, for delivery in accordance with instructions provided by or for the patient;

preparing and processing the said addressed medication package for dispatch from the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility; and

dispatching the said medication package by overnight messenger delivery service directly to the patient.

21. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

visiting a medical facility/physician by a patient;

diagnosing by a physician of the health condition of a patient;

determining by a physician the medication to prescribe for the patient;

prescribing by a physician of medication for a patient;

recording and memorializing the said prescription by the physician using a non-electronic means;

scanning, using optical scanning software and associated hardware, the said hand written prescription, and converting it into computer readable format and language;

transmitting the said prescription electronically to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

receiving at a computer located at a centralized the prescription medication fulfillment facility the prescription from the physician;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the said prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescription has been properly read at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescribed dosages are within the recommended limits;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a prescription database to assure that the prescription is not incompatible with other medications currently prescribed to the same patient;

transmitting electronically by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer a message back to the prescribing physician for clarification and confirmation if the said prescription is not understood by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer, or if the said prescription is for dosages which are not within recommended limits, or if the said prescription is not compatible with other medications then currently taken by the same patient;

notifying the patient by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer that the prescription will not be filled at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility, if the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility had not received any requisite confirmation from the physician confirming the uniqueness of the prescription as to the specific patient;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for one medication or for multiple medications;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for liquid medication or for solid medication or for both;

directing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer to the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility packing production equipment to fill the prescription;

causing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the printing of a label for the medication;

affixing the said printed label by centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility label affixing equipment to the said packaged prescription medication;

subjecting the said packaged and labeled prescribed medications to appropriate quality control procedures;

addressing the said quality control approved medication package, using centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer directed addressing equipment, for delivery in accordance with instructions provided by or for the patient;

preparing and processing the said addressed medication package for dispatch from the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility; and

dispatching the said medication package by overnight messenger delivery service directly to the patient.

22. The method of claim 21, in which the said non-electronic recording and memorializing means is a handwritten prescription pad sheet of paper.

23. The method of claim 21, in which the said non-electronic recording and memorializing means is an entry on a paper file record at the physician'"'"'s office.

24. A method for the fulfillment, at a centralized medication product fulfillment facility, of prescriptions for multiple medication products, for simultaneous ingestion or insertion into a live body, comprising the steps of:

visiting a medical facility/physician by a patient;

diagnosing by a physician of the health condition of a patient;

determining by a physician the medication to prescribe for the patient;

prescribing by a physician of medication for a patient;

recording and memorializing the said prescription by the physician using a non-electronic means;

transmitting the said non-electronic recorded and memorialized prescription, using telephone facsimile transmission software and associated hardware, to, and receiving the said prescription at, a centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

receiving at a computer located at a centralized the prescription medication fulfillment facility the prescription from the physician;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the said prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescription has been properly read at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a drug database to assure that the prescribed dosages are within the recommended limits;

comparing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the prescription with a prescription database to assure that the prescription is not incompatible with other medications currently prescribed to the same patient;

transmitting electronically by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer a message back to the prescribing physician for clarification and confirmation if the said prescription is not understood by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer, or if the said prescription is for dosages which are not within recommended limits, or if the said prescription is not compatible with other medications then currently taken by the same patient;

notifying the patient by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer that the prescription will not be filled at the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility, if the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility had not received any requisite confirmation from the physician confirming the uniqueness of the prescription as to the specific patient;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for one medication or for multiple medications;

determining by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer whether the prescription is for liquid medication or for solid medication or for both;

directing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer to the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility packing production equipment to fill the prescription;

causing by the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer the printing of a label for the medication;

affixing the said printed label by centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility label affixing equipment to the said packaged prescription medication;

subjecting the said packaged and labeled prescribed medications to appropriate quality control procedures;

addressing the said quality control approved medication package, using centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility computer directed addressing equipment, for delivery in accordance with instructions provided by or for the patient;

preparing and processing the said addressed medication package for dispatch from the centralized prescription medication fulfillment facility; and

dispatching the said medication package by overnight messenger delivery service directly to the patient.