Integrated system and method of vending prescription medications using a network of remotely distributed, automated dispensing units

• US 6,438,451 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2001
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis E, Jr Goldasich
• Original Assignee: Nicholas Lion
• Inventors: Lion, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H.
• Application Number:
  US10/017,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20020062175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 256 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231, 700/232, 700/237, 700/241, 700/244, 221/2
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/40 for devices for accepting orders, advertisements, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

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.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing medication to a patient, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a first location, an Rx request to supply a patient with at least one package containing a drug prescribed by a physician;

creating a record comprising an encrypted file containing information relating to an Rx request received during the receiving step and instructions for enabling a remote drug dispensing machine to dispense the drug specified by a physician; and

associating a unique Rx transaction key code with the record created during the creating step, said Rx transaction key code being adapted for use by a remote drug dispensing machine to decrypt said record.

2. The method of claim 1, further including transmitting the record and associated Rx transaction key code to a centralized processing facility and storing the record and associated Rx transaction key code in a centralized database at a centralized processing facility.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said transmitting step is performed using an internet link.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting, from a remote drug dispensing machine, a unique patient identification code corresponding to a patient for which a record and Rx transaction key code are stored at the centralized processing facility; and

transmitting to the remote drug dispensing machine, in response to receiving the unique patient identification code at the centralized processing facility, an encrypted record containing instructions for operating the drug dispensing machine and a unique Rx transaction key corresponding thereto.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a step of decoding the record at the drug dispensing machine using the unique Rx transaction key code and performing a drug dispensing operation in accordance with instructions contained in the decoded record.

6. The method of claim 1, further including a step of creating and storing a receipt record locally at the remote drug dispensing machine, said receipt record containing an identity of a receiving patient, an identity of at least one drug dispensed, and a time and date the at least one drug was dispensed.