Automated method for filling drug prescriptions
First Claim
1. A method for automating prescription filling comprising the steps ofinputting drug selection into a computer;
- printing out a prescription slip with a prescription bar code which contains pertinent prescription information to enable filling of the prescription;
taking the prescription slip to a pharmacist; and
having the pharmacist fill the prescription byscanning the prescription bar code on the prescription slip to obtain the pertinent prescription information,selecting a matching drug from a shelf container,scanning a container bar-code on the shelf container representing contents thereof,confirming a match between the container bar code and the pertinent prescription information in the prescription slip bar code and if a match is confirmed, printing out a vial label.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated prescription filling system which assists the physician in providing a prescription and/or assists he pharmacist in filling a prescription in which the physician enters prescription information into his/her computer by which a bar coded prescription may be printed out. The prescription printed out includes a bar code containing all pertinent information including drug specification, dose strength, taking instructions, physician identification as well as corresponding human-readable typed information. The patient takes the prescription into the pharmacy and the pharmacist fills the prescription either in the conventional fashion since the prescription contains all the necessary information in typed form, or the pharmacist scans the bar code(s) and the prescription is automatically entered into pharmacy computer. The pharmacist then selects the matching drug from the shelf container and scans the NDC (National Drug Code) bar-code on the container. The system confirms a match between the NDC and the prescription and then permits issue of the prescription, printing out a vial label.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for automating prescription filling comprising the steps of
inputting drug selection into a computer; -
printing out a prescription slip with a prescription bar code which contains pertinent prescription information to enable filling of the prescription; taking the prescription slip to a pharmacist; and having the pharmacist fill the prescription by scanning the prescription bar code on the prescription slip to obtain the pertinent prescription information, selecting a matching drug from a shelf container, scanning a container bar-code on the shelf container representing contents thereof, confirming a match between the container bar code and the pertinent prescription information in the prescription slip bar code and if a match is confirmed, printing out a vial label. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for automating filling of a prescription from a physician, comprising the steps of
obtaining a prescription from the physician; -
inputting pertinent drug information from the prescription into a computer at a pharmacy; selecting a matching drug from a shelf container; scanning a container bar-code on the shelf container representing contents thereof; confirming a match between the container bar code and the pertinent drug information from the prescription and if a match is confirmed, permitting filling of the prescription. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for automating prescription filling comprising the steps of
inputting drug selection into a computer or terminal; -
printing out a prescription slip with embedded information which is machine readable and contains complete prescription information to enable filling of the prescription; taking the prescription slip to a pharmacist; and having the pharmacist fill the prescription by using a reader to obtain the embedded information on the prescription slip to obtain the pertinent prescription information, selecting a matching drug from a shelf container, using the reader to obtain embedded information from a label on the shelf container representing contents thereof, wherein the system confirms a match between the container label and the pertinent prescription information embedded on the prescription slip. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification