Method for Renewing Medical Prescriptions

• US 20100082373A1
• Filed: 09/25/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Epocrates (Athenahealth Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Epocrates (Athenahealth Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zucker, Daniel Frederick, Fiedotin, Richard Alan
• Application Number:
  US12/567,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20100082373A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

The invention provides a method for renewing a prescription for a pharmaceutical via an electronic network. A renewal request is generated for a renewal of a prior prescription. The request is transmitted to a prescriber for review and authorization. Once an authorized renewal prescription is received from the prescriber, a dispenser is notified to fill the renewal prescription.

Claims

1. A system for renewing a prescription for a pharmaceutical via an electronic network, the system comprising:

a renewal server comprising;

a processor;

a communications interface circuit for communicating with a prescriber and a dispenser over a network, where the dispenser comprises a pharmacy or pharmacy benefit organization; and

a memory comprising;

an operating system;

a database comprising at least one patient profile that includes;

an identifier of a patient; and

at least one prescription associated with the identifier of the patient, the at least one prescription comprising;

 

a prescribed pharmaceutical;

 

an identification of a prescriber that prescribed the prescribed pharmaceutical;

 

an expiration date of the prescription; and

 

a dispenser of the prescribed pharmaceutical;

renewal notification procedures to monitor the expiration date of the prescription by periodically determining whether a predetermined time period before the expiration date has been reached; and

remote access procedures to transmit a prescription renewal request for the prescribed pharmaceutical to the prescriber, to receive a prescription renewal for the prescribed pharmaceutical from the prescriber, and to transmit the prescription renewal for the prescribed pharmaceutical to the dispenser.