Medicament tray inventory system and method

• US 20060058726A1
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helene Laliberte, Michael Handfield
• Original Assignee: Helene Laliberte, Michael Handfield
• Inventors: Handfield, Michael, Laliberte, Helene
• Granted Patent: US 7,440,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/03 for pills or tablets containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor B65D83/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0076 Medicament distribution means with pill counting devices A61J7/02; with time indication A61J7/04; containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/66 Trinkets, e.g. shirt buttons or jewellery items recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/24 Rotary or oscillatory members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/38 in which the magazines are horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system that utilizes one or more cassettes or trays, which hold one or more types of medicaments, the cassettes or trays being configured for intelligent dispensing of the medicaments. In one embodiment, a smart tray for dispensing medicaments includes:

Claims

1. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising:

a housing configured for insertion into a medicaments dispensing machine and having an outlet for dispensing medicament units;

a chamber within the housing configured to contain a plurality of the medicament units;

a movable medium configured to transport at least one of the medicament units from the chamber to the outlet;

an information storage device collocated with the housing and configured to maintain medicament information pertaining to the plurality of medicament units in the chamber;

a communication device configured to receive an externally generated inventory signal identifying a specified medicament unit parameter;

control logic coupled to the communication device and the information storage device and configured to compare the specified medicament unit parameter with the medicament information to determine whether the chamber contains a specified medicament; and

an indicator configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the chamber contains the specified medicament unit, thereby identifying the medicaments dispensing container as housing the specified medicament unit.

2. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the medicament information comprises information regarding a type of medicament unit contained in the chamber.

4. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the communication device is further configured to receive medicament information regarding medicament units contained in the chamber when the chamber is loaded with the medicament units.

5. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the control logic comprises at least one of software, firmware and hardware.

6. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the indicator is at least one of a multi-color display, a character display, a light emitting diode and a strobe light.

7. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a luminous indicator and a radio frequency indicator.

8. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the indicator is activated to facilitate locating the medicaments dispensing container.

9. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the indicator is activated for a predetermined period of time to facilitate identification of the medicaments dispensing container containing the medicament units specified by the externally generated inventory signal.

10. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a display configured to visually report the status of the medicaments dispensing container.

11. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the externally generated inventory signal is at least one of an RFID, Smart card, Bluetooth and infrared signal.

12. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the information storage device further stores information pertaining to at least one of patient information, and caregiver information.

13. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the medicament information comprises at least one of:

a prescription name;

a sub-name class;

a bar code ID;

a customer ID;

a distributor name;

an intended use for the medicament;

drug interaction precautions;

side effects;

an identification of the medicament units;

dosage information;

a manufacturing date;

a packaging date;

a color image of the medicament units;

inventory data regarding the medicament units;

an expiration date of the medicament units;

drug interaction information;

supplement interaction information;

manufacture information regarding the medicament units;

a lot number;

an ID code for the medicaments dispensing container; and

recall information.

14. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the medicament information in the information storage device comprises an identification of the at least one medicament unit in the medicaments dispensing container, and inventory data regarding the at least one medicament unit in the medicaments dispensing container, and wherein the indicator is activated when the inventory signal indicates an inventory query for a medicament dispensing tray containing at least one medicament unit of the same type and quantity as is contained in the medicaments dispensing container.

15. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the information storage device is further configured to accept data from a server.

16. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the communication device is at least one of a wired and a wireless communication device.

3. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 0, wherein the medicament information comprises information regarding a quantity of medicament units contained in the chamber.

17. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining medicament information in a storage device at the medicament units container the medicament information comprising an identification of the plurality of medicament units in the medicament units container, and inventory data regarding a quantity of the plurality of medicament units contained in the medicament units container;

receiving an externally generated signal designating the medicament information; and

activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the received signal indicates that an inventory query is for a medicament unit of the same type and quantity as the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicament units container.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of dispensing at least one of the medicament units from the medicament units container.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of setting a status register bit in response to a second externally generated signal to place the medicament units container in an inventory mode.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing a specified quantity of a specified medicament unit.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of activating the indicator comprises the step of visually reporting status of the medicament units container on a display.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of dispensing at least one of the plurality of medicament units from the medicament units container.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of a person retrieving the medicaments units container identified by the activated indicator.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of deactivating the indicator after a predetermined time.

25. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of the medicament units container transmitting the medicament information to an external device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein a signal transmitting the medicament information is at least one of an RFID, Smart card, Bluetooth and infrared signal.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container comprises a step of illuminating a visual indicator.

28. The medicament units container of claim 17, wherein the medicament information further comprises at least one of a prescription name;

a sub-name class;

a bar code ID;

a customer ID;

a distributor name;

an intended use for the medicament;

drug interaction precautions;

side effects;

an identification of the medicament units;

dosage information;

a manufacturing date;

a packaging date;

a color image of the medicament units;

inventory data regarding the medicament units;

an expiration date of the medicament units;

drug interaction information;

supplement interaction information;

manufacture information regarding the medicament units;

a lot number;

an ID code for the medicaments dispensing container; and

recall information.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the medicament information in the storage device at the medicament units container comprises an identification of the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and inventory data regarding the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and wherein the indicator is activated when the received signal indicates an inventory query for a medicament units container containing at least one medicament unit of the same type and quantity as is contained in the medicaments units container.

30. A medicament units container configured to contain at least one medicament unit, and having an inventory indicator, the medicament units container comprising:

means for storing medicament information at the medicament units container, the medicament information pertaining to the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicaments units container;

means for receiving a signal from an external device designating at least one specified medicament information parameter; and

means for activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the specified medicament information parameter matches the medicament information in the storage device.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising means for dispensing at least one of the medicament units from the medicament units container.

32. The medicament units container of claim 30, further comprising means for setting a status register bit in response to a signal from the external device to place the medicament units container in an inventory mode.

33. The medicament units container of claim 30, wherein the means for activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing at least one medicament unit corresponding to the designated medicament information parameter.

34. The medicament units container of claim 30, wherein the means for activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing a given quantity of a specified medicament unit.

35. The medicament units container of claim 30, wherein the means for activating the indicator comprises means for visually reporting status of the medicament units container on a display.

36. The medicament units container of claim 30, further comprising means for deactivating the indicator after a predetermined time.

37. The medicament units container of claim 30, further comprising means for transmitting the medicament information external to the medicament units container.

38. The medicament units container of claim 30, wherein the medicament information further comprises at least one of a prescription name;

a sub-name class;

a bar code ID;

a customer ID;

a distributor name;

an intended use for the medicament;

drug interaction precautions;

side effects;

an identification of the medicament units;

dosage information;

a manufacturing date;

a packaging date;

a color image of the medicament units;

inventory data regarding the medicament units;

an expiration date of the medicament units;

drug interaction information;

supplement interaction information;

manufacture information regarding the medicament units;

a lot number;

an ID code for the medicaments dispensing container; and

recall information.

39. The medicament units container of claim 30, wherein the stored medicament information comprises an identification of the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and inventory data regarding the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and wherein the indicator is activated when the received signal indicates that an inventory query is looking for a medicament units container containing at least one medicament unit of the same type and quantity as the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicaments units container.

40. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain at least one medicament unit, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining medicament information in a storage device at the medicament units container the medicament information pertaining to the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicaments units container;

receiving an externally generated signal designating at least one specified medicament information parameter; and

activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the specified medicament information parameter corresponds to the medicament information in the storage device.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising a step of dispensing at least one of the medicament units from the medicament units container.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising a step of setting a status register bit in response to a second externally generated signal, thereby placing the medicament units container in an inventory mode.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing at least one medicament unit corresponding to the designated medicament information parameter.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing a given quantity of a specified medicament unit.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of activating the indicator comprises the step of visually reporting status of the medicament units container on a display.

46. The method of claim 40, further comprising a step of a person retrieving the medicament units container identified by the activated indicator.

47. The method of claim 40, further comprising a step of deactivating the indicator after a predetermined time.

48. The method of claim 40, further comprising a step of the medicament units container transmitting the medicament information to an external device.

49. The medicament units container of claim 40, wherein the medicament information farther comprises at least one of a prescription name;

a sub-name class;

a bar code ID;

a customer ID;

a distributor name;

an intended use for the medicament;

drug interaction precautions;

side effects;

an identification of the medicament units;

dosage information;

a manufacturing date;

a packaging date;

a color image of the medicament units;

inventory data regarding the medicament units;

an expiration date of the medicament units;

drug interaction information;

supplement interaction information;

manufacture information regarding the medicament units;

a lot number;

an ID code for the medicaments dispensing container; and

recall information.

50. The method of claim 40, wherein the medicament information in the storage device at the medicament units container comprises an identification of the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and inventory data regarding the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and wherein the indicator is activated when the received signal indicates an inventory query for a medicament units container containing at least one medicament unit of the same type and quantity as is contained in the medicaments units container.

51. A medicament units container configured to contain at least one medicament unit, the medicament units container comprising:

an information storage device configured to maintain medicament information pertaining to the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container;

control logic communicatively coupled to the information storage device and configured to receive an externally generated signal designating at least one specified medicament information parameter; and

an indicator configured to be activated by the control logic when the specified medicament information parameter corresponds to the medicament information in the storage device.

52. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 51, wherein the medicament information comprises information regarding a type of medicament unit contained in the chamber.

54. The medicament units container of claim 51, further comprising a communication device configured to provide communications between the external device and the control logic.

55. The medicament units container of claim 54, wherein the communication device is further configured to receive medicament information regarding medicament units for storage in the information storage device when the medicament units container is loaded with the medicament units.

56. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the control logic comprises at least one of software, firmware and hardware.

57. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the indicator is at least one of a multi-color display, a character display, a light emitting diode and a strobe light.

58. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a luminous indicator and a radio frequency indicator.

59. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the indicator is activated to facilitate locating the medicament units container.

60. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the indicator comprises a display configured to visually report the status of the medicament units container.

61. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the indicator is activated for a predetermined period of time to facilitate identification of the medicament units container containing the medicament units specified by the inventory signal.

62. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the externally generated signal is at least one of an RFID, Smart card, Bluetooth and infrared signal.

63. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the information storage device further stores information pertaining to at least one of patient information and caregiver information.

64. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the medicament information further comprises at least one of a prescription name;

a sub-name class;

a bar code ID;

a customer ID;

a distributor name;

an intended use for the medicament;

drug interaction precautions;

side effects;

an identification of the medicament units;

dosage information;

a manufacturing date;

a packaging date;

a color image of the medicament units;

inventory data regarding the medicament units;

an expiration date of the medicament units;

drug interaction information;

supplement interaction information;

manufacture information regarding the medicament units;

a lot number;

an ID code for the medicaments dispensing container; and

recall information.

65. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the medicament information in the information storage device at the medicament units container comprises an identification of the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and inventory data regarding the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and wherein the indicator is activated when the received signal indicates an inventory query for a medicament units container containing at least one medicament unit of the same type and quantity as is contained in the medicaments units container.

66. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the information storage device is further configured to accept data from a network device during transit, while in storage, or while in a dispensing machine.

67. The medicament units container of claim 51, wherein the communication device is at least one of a wired and a wireless communication device.

53. The medicament units container of claim, wherein the medicament information comprises information regarding a quantity of medicament units contained in the medicament units container.

68. A computer program product for use with a medicament units container configured to contain at least one medicament unit, the computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code physically embodied therein, the computer program product further comprising;

computer readable program code for maintaining medicament information in a storage device at the medicament units container the medicament information pertaining to the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicaments units container;

computer readable program code for evaluating at least one specified medicament information parameter from an external device against the medicament information maintained in the storage device; and

computer readable program code for activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the specified medicament information parameter matches the medicament information in the storage device.

69. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein said computer program product further comprises computer readable program code for setting a status register bit in response to an externally generated signal to place the medicament units container in an inventory mode.

70. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein the computer readable program code for activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing at least one medicament unit corresponding to the designated medicament information parameter.

71. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein the computer readable program code for activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing a given quantity of a specified medicament unit.

72. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein the computer readable program code for activating the indicator visually reports the status of the medicament units container.

73. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein said computer program product further comprises computer readable program code for deactivating the indicator after a predetermined time.

74. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein said computer program product further comprises computer readable program code for causing the medicament units container to transmit the medicament information to an external device.

75. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein the medicament information further comprises at least one of a prescription name;

a sub-name class;

a bar code ID;

a customer ID;

a distributor name;

an intended use for the medicament;

drug interaction precautions;

side effects;

an identification of the medicament units;

dosage information;

a manufacturing date;

a packaging date;

a color image of the medicament units;

inventory data regarding the medicament units;

an expiration date of the medicament units;

drug interaction information;

supplement interaction information;

manufacture information regarding the medicament units;

a lot number; and

recall information.

76. The medicament units container of claim 68, wherein the medicament information in the storage device at the medicament units container comprises an identification of the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and inventory data regarding the at least one medicament unit in the medicament units container, and wherein the indicator is activated when the received signal indicates that an inventory query is looking for a medicament units container containing at least one medicament unit of the same type and quantity as the at least one medicament unit contained in the medicaments units container.

77. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising:

a housing configured for insertion into a medicaments dispensing machine and having an outlet for dispensing medicament units;

an information storage device collocated with the housing and configured to maintain medicament information pertaining to the plurality of medicament units in the container;

a communication device configured to receive an externally generated inventory signal identifying a specified medicament unit;

control logic collocated with the housing and coupled to the communication device and the information storage device and configured to compare the specified medicament unit parameter with the medicament information to determine whether the chamber contains the specified medicament; and

an indicator configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the chamber contains the specified medicament unit, thereby identifying the medicaments dispensing container as housing the specified medicament unit.

78. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 77, wherein the medicament information comprises information regarding an identification of medicament unit contained in the container, information regarding a dosage of medicament unit contained in the container and information regarding a quantity of medicament units contained in the container.

79. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 77, wherein the control logic comprises at least one of software, firmware and hardware.

80. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 77, wherein the indicator is at least one of a multi-color display, a character display, a light emitting diode and a strobe light.

81. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 77, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of a luminous indicator and a radio frequency indicator.

82. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 77, wherein the indicator is activated to facilitate identification of the medicaments dispensing container containing the medicament units specified by the inventory signal.

83. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 77, wherein the communication device is at least one of a wired and a wireless communication device.

84. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising:

an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units contained in the container;

control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising second information specifying an identification and dosage of medicament units being sought, and further configured to compare the first information with the second information to determine whether the dispensing container contains the medicament units being sought; and

an indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the dispensing container contains the medicament units being sought.

85. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising:

an information storage device within the container configured to store a first code identifying the container;

control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising a second code identifying a medicament dispensing container being sought, and further configured to compare the first code with the second code to determine whether the dispensing container is the container being sought; and

an indicator coupled to the control logic and configured to be activated upon a determination that the dispensing container is the container being sought.

86. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising:

an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information identifying medicament units contained in the container;

control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising second information identifying medicament units being sought, and further configured to compare the first information with the second information to determine whether the dispensing container contains the medicament units being sought; and

an indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the dispensing container contains the medicament units being sought.

87. A medicaments dispensing container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments dispensing container comprising:

an information storage device within the container configured to maintain information identifying a first medicaments parameter identifying a characteristic of the medicament units contained in the container;

control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to receive a query from an external device, the query comprising a second medicaments parameter specifying a characteristic of medicament units being sought, and further configured to compare the first parameter with the second parameter to determine whether the dispensing container contains medicament units having the identified characteristic; and

an indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the dispensing container contains the medicament units having the specified characteristic.

89. A medicaments container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments container comprising:

an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information identifying medicament units contained in the container;

control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains particular medicaments units as identified by second information received from an external device; and

an indicator on the medicaments container configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the dispensing container contains the medicament units identified by the second information.

90. A medicaments container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments container comprising:

an information storage device within the container configured to maintain first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

control logic coupled to the storage device and configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units of a particular characteristic as identified by second information received from an external device; and

an indicator on the medicaments container configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the dispensing container contains medicament units having the characteristic identified by the second information.

91. The medicaments container of claim 90, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

92. A medicaments container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the medicaments container comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a signal from an external device specifying a characteristic of a medicaments unit of interest;

control logic coupled to the receiver and configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units having the specified characteristic;

an indicator on the medicaments container configured to be activated by the control logic upon a determination that the dispensing container contains medicament units having the specified characteristic.

88. The medicaments dispensing container of claim 93, wherein said characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

93. The medicaments container of claim 92, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

94. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units contained in the container;

receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units of interest; and

activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates an interest in the medicament units contained in the medicament units container.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of activating the indicator identifies the medicament units container as containing the medicament units of interest.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container comprises a step of activating a visual indicator.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the step of activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container comprises a step of activating an audible indicator.

98. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying the medicament units contained in the container;

receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information identifying medicament units of interest; and

activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates interest in the medicament units contained in the medicament units container.

99. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying the medicament units container;

receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a medicament units container of interest; and

activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates interest in the medicament units contained in the medicament units container.

100. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a characteristic of medicament units of interest; and

activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that the medicament units container contains a medicament unit having the specified characteristic.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

102. A method of facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the method comprising the steps of:

maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

receiving at the medicament units container an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a characteristic of medicament units being sought by a health care worker; and

determining by the medicament units container whether the medicaments unit container contains medicament units having the specified characteristic; and

activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that the medicament units container contains a medicament unit having the specified characteristic.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

104. An apparatus for facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, comprising:

means for maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units contained in the container;

means for receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units of interest; and

means for activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that the medicament units container contains the medicament units of interest.

105. A medicaments unit container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units and further configured to facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the container comprising:

means for maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying the medicament units contained in the container;

means for receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information identifying the medicament units of interest; and

means for activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that the medicament units container contains the medicament units of interest.

106. A medicaments unit container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units and further configured to facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the container comprising:

means for maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying the medicament units container;

means for receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a medicament units container of interest; and

means for activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that a search is being conducted for the medicament units container.

107. A medicaments unit container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units and further configured to facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the container comprising:

means for maintaining first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

means for receiving an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a characteristic of medicament units of interest; and

means for activating an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that a search is being conducted for a medicament unit have the same characteristic as the medicament unit contained in the medicament units container.

108. A medicaments unit container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units and further configured to facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the container comprising:

means for maintaining first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

means for determining whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units having a particular characteristic as identified by second information received from an external device; and

means for activating an indicator upon a determination that the dispensing container contains medicament units having the characteristic identified by the second information.

109. The medicaments unit container of claim 108, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

110. An apparatus for facilitating inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, comprising:

means for maintaining first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

means for determining whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units having a particular characteristic as identified by second information received from an external device; and

means for alerting a health care worker that the dispensing container contains medicament units having the characteristic identified by the second information.

111. A medicaments unit container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units and further configured to facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the container comprising:

means for maintaining first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

means for receiving a signal from an external device specifying a particular characteristic of medicament units being sought by a health care worker;

means for determining whether the medicaments container contains the medicaments units having the characteristic as identified by the signal; and

means for alerting a health care worker that the dispensing container contains the medicament units having the specified characteristic.

112. The medicaments unit container of claim 111, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

113. A computer readable medium embodying a program of instructions that when executed by a processing device facilitate inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the instructions comprising:

first program code configured to maintain first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units contained in the container;

first computer code configured to receive an externally generated signal comprising second information indicating an identification and dosage of medicament units of interest; and

first computer code configured to activate an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the medicament units container contains the medicaments units of interest.

114. A computer readable medium embodying a program of instructions that when executed by a processing device facilitate inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the instructions comprising:

first computer code configured to maintain first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying the medicament units contained in the container;

first computer code configured to receive an externally generated signal comprising second information identifying medicament units of interest; and

first computer code configured to activate an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that the medicament units container contains a medicament unit of interest.

115. A computer readable medium embodying a program of instructions that when executed by a processing device facilitate inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the instructions comprising:

first computer code configured to maintain first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying the medicament units container;

first computer code configured to receive an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a medicament units container of interest; and

first computer code configured to activate an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that a search is being conducted for the medicament units container.

116. A computer readable medium embodying a program of instructions that when executed by a processing device facilitate inventory identification for a medicament units container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units, the instructions comprising:

first computer code configured to maintain first information in a storage device at the medicament units container, the first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

first computer code configured to receive an externally generated signal comprising second information specifying a characteristic of medicament units of interest; and

first computer code configured to activate an indicator associated with the medicament units container when the second information indicates that a search is being conducted for a medicament unit have the same characteristic as the medicament unit contained in the medicament units container.

117. A medicaments unit container comprising a body of program instructions configured to facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the program instructions executable by a processing device and comprising:

program code configured to receive a signal from an external device specifying a particular characteristic of medicament units being sought by a health care worker

program code configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units having the particular characteristic as specified; and

program code configured to activate an indicator upon a determination that the dispensing container contains medicament units having the characteristic identified by the second information.

118. The medicaments unit container of claim 117, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.

119. A medicaments unit container comprising a body of program instructions configured to facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the program instructions executable by a processing device and comprising:

program code configured to receive a signal from an external device specifying a particular characteristic of medicament units being sought by a health care worker

program code configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains medicaments units having the particular characteristic as specified; and

program code configured to alert a health care worker that the dispensing container contains medicament units having the characteristic identified by the second information.

120. A medicaments unit container configured to contain a plurality of medicament units and further configured facilitate inventory identification of the medicament units contained in the container, the container comprising:

program code configured to store first information identifying a characteristic of medicament units contained in the container;

program code configured to receive a signal from an external device specifying a particular characteristic of medicament units being sought by a health care worker;

program code configured to determine whether the medicaments container contains the medicaments units having the characteristic as identified by the signal; and

program code configured to alert a health care worker that the dispensing container contains the medicament units having the specified characteristic.

121. The medicaments unit container of claim 120, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of recall information, lot number, manufacture date, packaging date, medicament identification, medicament dosage, medicament ID, expiration date or status, a quantity of medicament units contained in the container, and an identification of a patient for whom the medicament units are prescribed.