Integrated system and method of vending prescription medications using a network of remotely distributed, automated dispensing units
First Claim
1. A system for unattended dispensing of medications, comprising:
- a remote vending maching (RVM) unit adapted to dispense at least one of a plurality of drugs contained therein in accordance with an authorized prescription Rx, said dispensing unit including a data entry device for entering a patient identification key code (PtID) corresponding to a particular patient;
a centralized control facility operative to associate a PtID code with at least one authorized Rx request to supply a drug and to transmit an enabling signal to the RVM unit when a corresponding match is identified; and
a database operatively associated with said centralized control facility and adapted to store information relating to said at least one authorized Rx_request, wherein said RVM unit is operative, in response to entry of said PtID code, to initiate a vending session by transmitting a signal representative of said PtID code to said centralized control facility, and wherein said RVM unit is further operative, in response to receipt of the enabling signal to dispense the prescribed medication.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network of interactive, self-service, medication dispensing kiosks that are each adaptable to contain an inventory of, for example, 200 to 1600 different drugs, as may be currently obtained directly from a local storefront, mail order, or “cyber” pharmacy. With the exception of periodic maintenance or inventory replenishment, the kiosks constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention are unmanned. By strategically locating the dispensing kiosks of the present invention in easily accessible public locations on a regional or national basis, and stocking the same with an inventory of frequently prescribed medications for which a patient is likely to have an exigent need, an on-line (Internet) or mail order pharmacy may offer a level of convenient access to emergency medications and pharmaceutical services that is at least as complete and comprehensive as that offered by the conventional storefront pharmacy.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for unattended dispensing of medications, comprising:
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a remote vending maching (RVM) unit adapted to dispense at least one of a plurality of drugs contained therein in accordance with an authorized prescription Rx, said dispensing unit including a data entry device for entering a patient identification key code (PtID) corresponding to a particular patient;
a centralized control facility operative to associate a PtID code with at least one authorized Rx request to supply a drug and to transmit an enabling signal to the RVM unit when a corresponding match is identified; and
a database operatively associated with said centralized control facility and adapted to store information relating to said at least one authorized Rx_request, wherein said RVM unit is operative, in response to entry of said PtID code, to initiate a vending session by transmitting a signal representative of said PtID code to said centralized control facility, and wherein said RVM unit is further operative, in response to receipt of the enabling signal to dispense the prescribed medication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An integrated medication distribution system, comprising:
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a centralized control facility operative to associate at least one of a plurality of unique patient identification (PtID) key codes, each corresponding to a respective patient, with at least one authorized prescription Rx request to supply a drug to a patient;
a database operatively associated with said centralized control facility and adapted to store a respective patient prescription record corresponding to an individual request to digitally fill a prescription and a corresponding unique transaction identification key code (RxID), and a plurality remote vending machine (RVM) units each remotely located from the remote controller and each adapted to dispense at least one of a plurality of drugs contained therein in accordance with an authorized prescription, said dispensing unit including a data entry device for entering a PtID code to initiate a drug dispensing session, wherein any of said plurality of RVM units is operative to transmit a signal representative of said PTID code to said centralized control facility in response to actuation of a corresponding data entry device, and wherein an originating one of said plurality of RVM units is further operative, in response to receipt of an enabling signal, to dispense the prescribed Rx drug. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method of dispensing medication to a patient at a selected drug disperising unit, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, at a first location, a request to supply a patient with at least one package containing a drug prescribed by a physician;
validating the request received during said receiving step to ensure the patient is authorized to receive a prescribed medication;
providing a patient authorized to receive a prescribed medication with a unique identifier;
in response to entry of the unique identifier at a second location remotely disposed relative to the first location, causing a drug dispensing unit to dispense the medication specified in the request received during the receiving step for distribution to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
establishing a communication link between a pharmacist at a centralized location and a patient disposed proximate a remote drug dispensing unit, said drug dispensing unit containing a plurality of drugs available by physician prescription;
wherein said step of remotely operating is performed from the centralized location, the drug dispensing unit being responsive to remotely transmitted commands so as to dispense to the patient a drug specified in the request received during the receiving step.
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Specification