METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CLASS-FLEXIBLE DRUG DISPENSING AND ELECTRONIC BILLING

• US 20130151003A1
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Randolph Royal Gillum
• Original Assignee: Randolph Royal Gillum
• Inventors: GILLUM, RANDOLPH ROYAL
• Application Number:
  US13/313,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20130151003A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/216
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

Presented are automated “class-flexible” drug dispensing systems, which include an automated drug dispensing machine. The automated machine has a multiplicity of drug cartridges and dispenses appropriate drugs on command from cartridges to fill a prescription. The system also has a user interface to input prescription information and class of trade information for each particular prescription to be filled. Further, it has an electronic storage medium with drug identifying information for the drug in each of the multiplicity of cartridges and the inventory of the drug in each cartridge. In addition, the system includes an electronic billing system that includes prescription information and the drug “class of trade” information. The billing system uses this information to create an electronic billing entry. Also presented are drug distribution systems to reduce overall drug costs from manufacturer to end user.

Claims

1. An automated class-flexible drug dispensing system, the system comprising:

an automated drug dispensing machine comprising therein a multiplicity of drug cartridges, the automated drug dispensing machine dispensing appropriate drugs on command from one or more cartridges to fill a prescription;

a user interface to input prescription information and to input class of trade information for each particular prescription to be filled;

at least one electronic storage medium having therein information comprising drug identifying information for the drug in each of the multiplicity of cartridges and for maintaining an inventory of the drug in each cartridge; and

an electronic billing system receiving the input prescription information and the input class of trade information, the billing system using the prescription information and the class of trade information to create an electronic billing entry.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the automated drug dispensing machine is associated with a hospital pharmacy.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the billing system is configured to apply pricing for a hospital class of trade by default.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising an interface receiving electronically transmitted input information from a remote monitor-dispenser of a discharged patient about patient compliance with prescribed drug administration.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising electronically and automatically transmitting information to a discharged patient in response to received input information about patient compliance with prescribed drug administration.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising storing electronic patient health data in a database and data mining the database.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the automated drug dispensing machine is associated with a long term care facility.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an interface receiving electronically transmitted input information from a remote monitor-dispenser of a resident away from the long term care facility about the compliance of the resident with prescribed drug administration.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising electronically and automatically transmitting information to a resident away from the long term care facility in response to received input information about resident compliance with prescribed drug administration.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the automated drug dispensing machine is associated with a long term care facility.

16. The system of claim 7, further comprising an interface receiving electronically transmitted input information from a remote monitor-dispenser of a resident away from the long term care facility about the compliance of the resident with prescribed drug administration.

17. The system of claim 8, further comprising electronically and automatically transmitting information to a resident away from the long term care facility in response to received input information about resident compliance with prescribed drug administration.

10. A method of automatically filling a prescription for specified medications comprising:

receiving electronic prescription information;

using the received electronic prescription information to command an automated drug dispensing machine to select and package the prescribed drugs;

electronically receiving class of trade information about the prescription;

determining a price for each drug of the prescription based on the drug and the received class of trade; and

creating an electronic billing entry.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the automated drug dispensing machine is associated with a hospital pharmacy.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the billing system is configured to apply pricing for a hospital class of trade by default.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising an interface receiving electronically transmitted input information from a remote monitor-dispenser of a discharged patient about patient compliance with prescribed drug administration.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising electronically and automatically transmitting information to a discharged patient in response to received input information about patient compliance with prescribed drug administration.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising storing electronic patient health data in a database and data mining the database.

19. A business method for minimizing the cost of processing prescription drugs in a distribution system extending from a manufacturer to an end user, the method comprising:

contracting to receive prescription medications in bulk packs directly from a drug manufacturer;

arranging for repackaging of the bulk pack prescription medications into cartridges adapted for use in automated drug dispensing machines;

supplying the cartridges filled with re-packaged prescription medications to a party having control over drug dispensing machines; and

facilitating the use of the cartridges of repackaged prescription medications in a class flexible drug dispensing system linked an electronic billing system.

20. A business method for minimizing the cost of processing prescription drugs in a distribution system extending from a manufacturer to an end user, the method comprising:

contracting to receive prescription medications from a drug manufacturer in cartridges adapted for use in automated drug dispensing machines;

supplying the cartridges filled with prescription medications to a party having control over drug dispensing machines; and

facilitating the use of the cartridges of prescription medications in a class-flexible drug dispensing system linked an electronic billing system.

21. An automated class-of-trade-flexible drug dispensing system associated with a long term care facility, the system comprising:

an automated drug dispensing machine comprising therein a multiplicity of drug cartridges, the automated drug dispensing machine dispensing appropriate drugs on command from one or more cartridges to fill a prescription;

a user interface to input prescription information and to input class of trade information for each particular prescription to be filled;

an interface receiving electronically transmitted input information from a remote monitor-dispenser of a resident away from the long term care facility about the compliance of the resident with prescribed drug administration;

an electronic transmitter automatically transmitting information to a resident away from the long term care facility in response to received input information about resident compliance with prescribed drug administration;

at least one electronic storage medium having therein information comprising drug identifying information for the drug in each of the multiplicity of cartridges and for maintaining an inventory of the drug in each cartridge; and

an electronic billing system receiving the input prescription information and the input class of trade information, the billing system using the prescription information and the class of trade information to create an electronic billing entry.

22. An automated class-of-trade-flexible drug dispensing system associated with a hospital facility, the system comprising:

an automated drug dispensing machine comprising therein a multiplicity of drug cartridges, the automated drug dispensing machine dispensing appropriate drugs on command from one or more cartridges to fill a prescription;

a user interface to input prescription information and to input class of trade information for each particular prescription to be filled;

an interface receiving electronically transmitted input information from a remote monitor-dispenser of a discharged patient about patient compliance with prescribed drug administration;

a transmitter electronically and automatically transmitting information to a discharged patient in response to received input information about patient compliance with prescribed drug administration;

at least one electronic storage medium having therein information comprising drug identifying information for the drug in each of the multiplicity of cartridges and for maintaining an inventory of the drug in each cartridge; and

an electronic billing system receiving the input prescription information and the input class of trade information, the billing system using the prescription information and the class of trade information to create an electronic billing entry;

wherein the billing system is configured to apply pricing for a hospital class of trade by default.