Secure on-line authentication system for processing prescription drug fulfillment
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of processing drug prescriptions via the Internet, wherein the method is performed by a pharmacy registered with an external agent, said method comprising:
- a) receiving a first request at a server and over the Internet, wherein the first request is received from a doctor registered with the external agent and specifies a prescription, wherein the prescription identifies a patient registered with the external agent;
b) redirecting the doctor to the external agent via the server and using the Internet, wherein the external agent authenticates the doctor and returns the doctor using the Internet;
c) receiving a second request at the server and over the Internet, wherein the second request is received from the patient registered with the external agent and specifies an order for the prescription;
d) redirecting the patient to the external agent via the server and using the Internet, wherein the external agent authenticates the patient and returns the patient using the Internet;
e) receiving a patient authorization level from the external agent at the server, wherein the authorization level limits a dollar amount which the patient may spend on one order; and
,f) the server rejecting the second request when the second request exceeds the patient authorization level and allowing the second request when the second request does not exceed the patient authorization level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of processing drug prescriptions via a communications network includes registering doctors, pharmacies and patients as participants such that each registered participant'"'"'s identity is uniquely defined and determinable. Registered doctors from which prescriptions are received via the communications network have their identities authenticated. Each of the received prescriptions indicates a respective registered patient'"'"'s identity for whom the prescription is intended. Registered patients from which orders are received via the communications network also have their identities authenticated. Each of the received orders indicates the prescription being ordered. The method also includes forwarding the orders to registered pharmacies via the communications network.
31 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of processing drug prescriptions via the Internet, wherein the method is performed by a pharmacy registered with an external agent, said method comprising:
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a) receiving a first request at a server and over the Internet, wherein the first request is received from a doctor registered with the external agent and specifies a prescription, wherein the prescription identifies a patient registered with the external agent; b) redirecting the doctor to the external agent via the server and using the Internet, wherein the external agent authenticates the doctor and returns the doctor using the Internet; c) receiving a second request at the server and over the Internet, wherein the second request is received from the patient registered with the external agent and specifies an order for the prescription; d) redirecting the patient to the external agent via the server and using the Internet, wherein the external agent authenticates the patient and returns the patient using the Internet; e) receiving a patient authorization level from the external agent at the server, wherein the authorization level limits a dollar amount which the patient may spend on one order; and
,f) the server rejecting the second request when the second request exceeds the patient authorization level and allowing the second request when the second request does not exceed the patient authorization level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented method of processing drug prescriptions comprising:
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a) registering with an external agent one or more doctors, one or more pharmacies, and one or more patients as users of a common Internet based system, wherein each of the registered users include a unique system user identity, wherein the external agent comprises a server; b) receiving a plurality of prescriptions by the common Internet based system from doctors registered as users, wherein the prescriptions are written for patients registered as users; c) posting received prescriptions in a database of the common Internet based system prior to pharmacy selection by patients registered as users; d) choosing pharmacies registered as users to fill the plurality of posted prescriptions by patients registered as users for whom the prescriptions are posted, wherein each prescription to be filled by a chosen pharmacy for a specific patient comprises an order; e) determining a patient authorization level for at least one of the patients, wherein the authorization level limits a dollar amount which a given patient may spend on one order; f) rejecting an order for the given patient when the order exceeds the patient authorization level and allowing an order for the given patient when the order does not exceed the patient authorization level; and g.) forwarding the allowed orders from the common Internet based system to the chosen pharmacies registered as users. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A prescription drug fulfillment system comprising:
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an electronic computer connected to the Internet, said electronic computer comprising; a registration module that registers one or more doctors, one or more pharmacies, and one or more patients as participants, and provides each registered participant with a unique system user identifier; a communications module that receives prescriptions from registered doctors over the Internet, receives orders for prescriptions from patients over the Internet for whom the prescriptions were written, and forwards orders to pharmacies over the Internet to whom the orders are designated; an authentication module that authenticates the registered doctors, the registered pharmacies, and the registered patients using registration data and unique system user identifiers; and
,an authorization module that authorizes the prescription using an authorization level associated with the one of the doctors, wherein the authorization level is based on account controls and/or privileges set by the one of the doctors, and wherein the authorization module further authorizes the order using an authorization level associated with at least one of the patients, wherein the authorization level limits a dollar amount which a given patient may spend on one order, the authorization module operative to reject an order when the order exceeds the patient authorization level and to allow an order when the order does not exceed the patient authorization level. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification