Patent ID: 8799018
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: G06Q,G16H

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for determining a cost effective option for a first drug of a first strength prescribed to a patient by a physician, the cost effective option being one of an original option, a generics option, a therapeutic alternatives option, a drug segregation option, and a tablet splitting option, the method comprising steps: a) using a pharmaceutical database to identify a second drug that is a generic alternative of the first drug; b) using the pharmaceutical database to identify a third drug that is a therapeutic alternative of the first drug; c) using the pharmaceutical database to identify both a fourth drug and a fifth drug into which the first drug can be segregated; d) using the pharmaceutical database to identify a sixth drug that comprises the first drug at a second strength, the second strength being greater than the first strength; e) storing in a non-transitory computer memory a preliminary option set consisting of the first drug as the original option, the second drug as the generics option, the third drug as the therapeutic alternatives option, the fourth and the fifth drugs collectively as the drug segregation option, and the sixth drug as the tablet splitting option; f) using a profile of the patient to identify a drug and a substance to which the patient is allergic; g) using the pharmaceutical database to identify ingredients of each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth drug; and deleting from the non-transitory memory any said option associated with the drug or the substance to which the patient is allergic, whereby forming from the preliminary option set a final option set stored in the non-transitory memory; h) subsequent to step (g), using the pharmaceutical database to identify a promotional offer applicable to any said option in the final option set; i) using the pharmaceutical database to determine a respective price of each said option in the final option set; j) automatically identifying one of said options in the final option set as the cost effective option, the price of the cost effective option being lower than the respective prices of all other options in the final option set; k) generating a report for the patient using an output device, the report having a first portion for the patient and a second portion for the physician, each of the first and second portions listing the cost effective option; and l) automatically submitting the second portion to the physician; wherein each of the steps (a)-(l) is performed at least in part by a computer processor.