Method And Apparatus For Dispensing Medicaments

• US 20120097290A1
• Filed: 10/20/2011
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sami G. Y. Mikhaeil
• Original Assignee: Sami G. Y. Mikhaeil
• Inventors: Mikhaeil, Sami G.Y.
• Granted Patent: US 9,563,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/1
• 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 7/02 Pill counting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0436 resulting from removing a drug from, or opening, a container
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0445 for preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0463 for multiple patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/049 automatically changing in response to a schedule deviation by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A pharmacy workflow platform and prescription checking and medicament dispensing station and method comprising (a) script display means; (b) scanning means for providing script data and stock bottle label data in electronic format from the prescription and a stock bottle label; (c) CPU means comprising i) means for receiving and storing the script data and stock bottle data in electronic format; ii) means for transferring the script data to the script display means to effect display of the script; iii) means cooperable with medicament dispensing weighing and counting means; (d) medicament-dispensing weighing means in communication with the CPU means;; and (e) control means for controlling the CPU means. Medication is dispensed in a more safe, efficient and cost-effective manner.

Claims

1. A pharmacy workflow platform and prescription checking and medicament dispensing station comprising:

(a) script display means;

(b) scanning means for providing script data and stock bottle label data in electronic format from said prescription and a stock bottle label;

(c) CPU means comprising

i) means for receiving and storing said script data and stock bottle data in electronic format;

ii) means for transferring said script data to said script display means to effect display of said script; and

iii) means cooperable with medicament dispensing weighing means;

(d) medicament-dispensing weighing means in communication with said CPU means;

(e) control means for controlling said CPU means.

2. A station as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control means is selected from means comprising keyboard means, touch screen computer means, bar code receiving means and machine readable code means.

3. A station as claimed in claim 1 wherein said scanning means comprises a bar code scanner.

4. A station as claimed in claim 1 further comprising photographic means selected from a camera and web-cam.

5. A station as claimed in claim 1 constituted as an “

on-site”

station comprising a bench, table, kiosk or the like.

6. A station as claimed in claim 1 wherein said CPU means comprises stored data and means to effect comparison of said script data and said stock bottle label data with said stored data to detect and identify any mistakes.

7. A station as claimed in claim 1 comprising medicament counting means in communication with said CPU means.

8. A prescription checking and medicament dispensing network comprising one or more stations as defined in claim 1 in communication with an “

off-site”

centre.

9. A network as claimed in claim 8 wherein said “

off-site”

centre is adapted to receive

i) said script data and stock bottle label data in electronic format;

ii) said prescription and said printed vial label by said photographic means; and

iii) monitor said medicament dispensation.

10. A desired primary source information network comprising a plurality of apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

11. A desired primary source information network comprising a plurality of off-site apparatus as claimed in claim 8;

and

a central control and data storage means cooperable with each of said apparatus to provide said desired primary source information from said apparatus to said central control.

12. A method for dispensing a medicament prescribed on a prescription from a medicament containing stock bottle having a label,

said method comprising

(a) scanning said prescription and said label to provide script data and said label data in electronic format;

(b) providing display means;

(c) providing CPU means comprising

i) means for storing said script data and said label data in electronic format;

ii) means for transferring said script data to said display means;

(d) controlling said CPU means under controller means;

(e) displaying said script data on said display means to provided displayed script data;

(f) visually comprising said prescription with said displayed script data to detect and identify any script mistakes;

(g) provide acceptable script data; and

(h) providing medicament-weighing means in communication with said CPU means.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 comprising medicament counting means in communication with said CPU means.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said CPU means comprises stored data and means to effect comparison of said primary source information with said stored data to detect and identify any mismatches between said primary source information and said stored data.

16. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein:

said primary source information comprises “

dispensed information”

;

said secondary data is store shelf data; and

said tertiary data comprises Rx script data.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13 comprising displaying said visual data on a visual display means.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 comprising displaying said desired primary information remotely off-site from said CPU means.

19. A method as claimed in claim 12 comprising step-by-step workflow in monitoring and organizing the process of dispensing medication, once the order has been received by any licensed location, to dispense medication until the medication has been released and given to the intended patient.

14. A method for providing a person with desired primary source medical information in visual format, said method comprising

(i) providing CPU means;

and

(ii) feeding primary source information comprising secondary and tertiary data to said CPU means;

said CPU means comprising means to effect a comparison of said primary source information with said secondary data and said tertiary data to detect and identify any one or more mismatches between said primary source information and said secondary and tertiary data;

(iii) effecting said comparison to provide any mismatch; and

(iv) visually displaying said primary source information subjected to said comparison as said desired primary source information.