Methods and systems for prescribing sample prescriptions

• US 8,078,479 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ITD Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: ITD Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Greenman, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Morgan, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOREY, ROBERT A
• Application Number:
  US11/908,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20080208626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,101 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/3
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sample prescriptions electronically and creating a complete data set of information regarding the life-cycle of the sample prescription. In one embodiment, a sample prescription system comprises a management module that stores files corresponding to sample prescriptions. Each corresponding file is linked to a unique sample code. The sample code and linked file together comprise an electronic history of the sample'"'"'s life-cycle, which is built dynamically over time into a comprehensive code containing all information relevant to a prescribed sample and it'"'"'s path to consumption.

Claims

1. A method of managing and tracking sample pharmaceutical products performed by a computing device, the method comprising:

creating a tracking code and a corresponding electronic prescription data file in response to an electronic activation of tracking code allotments by a pharmaceutical company, wherein the pharmaceutical company accesses a computer operated management module of a sample prescription system through a computer operated pharmaceutical module via an Internet connection;

assigning pharmaceutical product information to the electronic prescription data file which corresponds to the tracking code obtained by the pharmaceutical company through access of the management module;

storing the tracking code and the electronic prescription data file in a database of the management module;

electronically distributing the tracking code for the assigned pharmaceutical product to a prescriber from the pharmaceutical company;

confirming tracking code allotments for the assigned pharmaceutical by the prescriber, wherein the prescriber accesses the management module of the sample prescription system through a computer operated prescriber module via an Internet connection;

electronically adding prescription information regarding a patient into the electronic prescription data file by the prescriber through communication with the management module through the prescriber module;

electronically sending the tracking code and the corresponding electronic prescription data file containing the prescription information to the management module;

electronically sending the tracking code and the corresponding electronic prescription data file containing the prescription information from the management module to a pharmacy through an eRx switch, wherein the pharmacy is a separate entity than the prescriber; and

electronically populating the electronic prescription data file with prescription tracking information by the pharmacy, wherein the pharmacy accesses the management module through the pharmacy module via an Internet connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking code and the electronic prescription data file comprises an encrypted character string and the method further comprises:

adding new content to the electronic prescription data file; and

encrypting the new content into the encrypted character string.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the steps of adding new content and encrypting the new content are performed several times during a life-cycle of the sample pharmaceutical product.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the new content comprises at least one of prescriber information, patient information, dispensing location information, tracking information and prescription information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting the generation of the electronic prescription data file by the pharmaceutical company.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the tracking code to a subscriber.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample pharmaceutical product information comprises at least one of a sample prescription medication type, terms of the sample pharmaceutical product, and a length of time during which tracking code and the electronic prescription data file is valid.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying the tracking code is valid and that the prescription originated from the management module prior to dispensing the pharmaceutical product by the pharmacy through communication with a pharmacy benefit manager by use of the pharmacy module.