Method and system for the sale of medical items
First Claim
1. A method for selling medical items comprising:
- (a) providing at least one vending machine;
(b) providing a service center having at least one communication device;
(c) providing a communications network configured to allow communication between a communication device located at a vending machine and a communication device located at the service center; and
(d) at a processor accessible over the communications network;
(i) for a specified vending machine from among the at least one vending machine, receiving as an input at least one search criteria relating to items offered for sale at the specified vending machine; and
(ii) searching a searchable database related to medical items offered for sale at the at least one vending machine, for at least one item offered for sale at the specified vending machine satisfying the input search criteria; and
(iii) communicating identification of the at least one item which satisfied the input search criteria to a user at the specified vending machine; and
(d) wherein one or more of the search criteria are selected from any one or more of the following;
(i) a medical item having an input active ingredient;
(ii) a medical item for use in one or more input medical indications;
(iii) a medical item having an active ingredient found in an input medical item having an input brand name;
(iv) a medical item for use treatment of one or more medical indications treatable by a medical item having a predetermined brand name;
(v) a medical item having a composition found in a medical item having an input brand name; and
(vi) a medical item having a composition found in an input medical item having the input brand name.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for selling medical items. The system comprises one or more vending machines and a service center. The system further comprises a communications network used to allow communication between a communication device located at a vending machine and a communication device located at the service center. An individual contemplating the purchase of a medical item from one of the vending machines can consult with a pharmacist located at the service center before making a purchase from the vending machine. In one embodiment of the invention, a purchase may be made at one of the vending machines only after the purchase has been approved by a pharmacist at the service center.
32 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for selling medical items comprising:
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(a) providing at least one vending machine; (b) providing a service center having at least one communication device; (c) providing a communications network configured to allow communication between a communication device located at a vending machine and a communication device located at the service center; and (d) at a processor accessible over the communications network; (i) for a specified vending machine from among the at least one vending machine, receiving as an input at least one search criteria relating to items offered for sale at the specified vending machine; and (ii) searching a searchable database related to medical items offered for sale at the at least one vending machine, for at least one item offered for sale at the specified vending machine satisfying the input search criteria; and (iii) communicating identification of the at least one item which satisfied the input search criteria to a user at the specified vending machine; and (d) wherein one or more of the search criteria are selected from any one or more of the following; (i) a medical item having an input active ingredient; (ii) a medical item for use in one or more input medical indications; (iii) a medical item having an active ingredient found in an input medical item having an input brand name; (iv) a medical item for use treatment of one or more medical indications treatable by a medical item having a predetermined brand name; (v) a medical item having a composition found in a medical item having an input brand name; and (vi) a medical item having a composition found in an input medical item having the input brand name. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for selling medical items comprising:
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(a) at least one vending machine; (b) a searchable database relating to medical items offered for sale at the at least one vending machine; and (c) a processor configured to; (i) for a specified vending machine from among the at least one vending machine, receive as an input one or more search criteria relating to items offered for sale at the specified vending machine; and (ii) search the database for one or more items offered for sale at the specified vending machine satisfying the input search criteria; and (d) wherein one or more of the search criteria are selected from any one or more of the following; (i) a medical item having an input active ingredient; (ii) a medical item for use in one or more input medical indications; (iii) a medical item having an active ingredient found in an input medical item having an input brand name; (iv) a medical item for use treatment of one or more medical indications treatable by a medical item having a predetermined brand name; (v) a medical item having a composition found in a medical item having an input brand name; and (vi) a medical item having a composition found in an input medical item having the input brand name. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification