Systems, methods and computer program products for assigning times of administration to prescription medications

Methods, systems, and computer program products for assigning times of administration to patient medications are described. A GUI is displayed within a display associated with a pharmaceutical dispensing system. The GUI includes a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for the medication. One or more daily times of administration for the medication are assigned in response to user input via the one day time scale. A dose of the medication is packaged in each of a respective plurality of pouches according to the assigned daily times of administration via the pharmaceutical dispensing system. The one day time scale may include a time line representative of a twenty-four hour period and one or more time indicators that are positionable by a user. The one day time scale may include a plurality of food consumption times, each selectable by a user for assigning a time of administration.

RESERVATION OF COPYRIGHT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the dispensing of prescriptions of pharmaceuticals and, more particularly, to methods, systems and computer program products for automated dispensing of pharmaceuticals.

BACKGROUND

For many people, taking multiple medications can be confusing due to the similarity of pills and varying frequency of administration. Moreover, it may be difficult for a person to remember whether he/she has already taken a particular medication, and whether it needed to be taken with a meal or separately from other medications. In hospitals and long term care facilities having many patients, this may be even more difficult to manage as the number of medications being administered can easily be confused.

To address the administration of multiple medications, strip packaging has been developed wherein medications are packaged in individual pouches for administration at a specific date and time of day. Typically, these pouches are removably joined together and often provided in rolls. The pouches can be separated from the roll when needed at a particular time of day. For example,FIG. 1illustrates a conventional strip packaging pouch10containing a plurality of medications12therein. Various information is displayed on a surface10aof the pouch10, including patient identification information14, time of administration information16, medication identification, quantity, and strength information18, special directions20, and a bar code22, such as for bedside scanning.

As automated pharmacy machines for preparing strip packaging have become substantially more robust and complex, operating software that is correspondingly robust may be needed to facilitate user interaction and control of these machines for producing such packaging.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for packaging prescribed patient medications to be taken over a period of time. Embodiments of the present invention are patient-centric and allow medications to be assigned times of administration that best fit with a patient's schedule, lifestyle, etc. In addition, for medications that are to be taken with food, embodiments of the present invention allow such medications to be assigned to specific meals or snack periods during the day.

For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, a method of packaging a prescribed patient medication to be taken over a period of time includes displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) within a display associated with a pharmaceutical dispensing system, wherein the GUI comprises a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for the medication, assigning one or more daily times of administration for the medication in response to user input via the one day time scale, and packaging a dose of the medication in each of a respective plurality of pouches according to the assigned daily times of administration via the pharmaceutical dispensing system. Each pouch typically displays an identification of the medication contained therein and a date and time of administration for the medication.

In some embodiments, the one day time scale includes a time line representative of a twenty-four hour period. The GUI includes one or more time indicators that are positionable (e.g., slidably positionable, etc.) by a user at a respective time on the time line for assigning a time of administration of a dose of the medication. In some embodiments, the GUI includes a pair of time indicators that are spaced apart by a selected time period such that movement of one of the time indicators automatically causes the other time indicator to move to maintain the selected time period therebetween.

In other embodiments, the one day time scale includes a plurality of food consumption times, wherein each food consumption time is selectable by a user for assigning a time of administration of a dose of the medication. In some embodiments the one day time scale includes an arcuate display having a plurality of user-configurable segments (e.g., number of segments, description of segments, etc.), each segment corresponding to a respective one of the food consumption times. Exemplary segments include a breakfast segment, a lunch segment, an afternoon snack segment, a dinner segment, and a bedtime snack segment. Each segment is responsive to user actuation for assigning a time of administration to a dose of the medication.

In other embodiments, the GUI includes one or more user input boxes, wherein each user input box is associated with a time of day or a food consumption time. Each user input box is configured to receive a number representative of the quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time.

In other embodiments, the GUI includes a calendar GUI that comprises an array of blocks representative of the days of a month. Each block is configured to display one or more times of day and/or one or more food consumption times and a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time. A user assigns a time of administration of a dose of the medication for one or more of the blocks via the second GUI.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a method of packaging a plurality of prescribed patient medications to be taken over a period of time includes displaying a first GUI within a display associated with a pharmaceutical dispensing system, wherein the first GUI contains prescription information for each of the medications that can be taken together (e.g., medication identification, medication quantity, and medication dose amount, etc.). The first GUI also includes a time picker GUI control that is responsive to user actuation for displaying a second GUI that includes a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for each of the medications.

For each medication, the second GUI is displayed in response to user actuation of the time picker GUI control, and one or more daily times of administration for the medication are assigned in response to user input via the one day time scale. Individual doses of the medications are then packaged in a plurality of pouches via the pharmaceutical dispensing system. Each pouch contains an individual dose of a plurality of the medications having the same daily time of administration, and each pouch typically displays an identification of the medications contained therein and a date and time of administration for the medications. In some embodiments, a third GUI is displayed adjacent to the first GUI that includes a representation of each of the plurality of pouches. Each pouch representation may contain an identification of the medications contained in the corresponding pouch and a date and time of administration for the medications in the corresponding pouch.

In some embodiments, the second GUI includes a time line representative of a twenty-four hour period, and one or more time indicators. Each time indicator is positionable (e.g., slidably positionable, etc.) by a user at a respective time on the time line for assigning a time of administration of a dose of a respective medication. In some embodiments, the GUI includes a pair of time indicators that are spaced apart by a selected time period such that movement of one of the time indicators automatically causes the other time indicator to move to maintain the selected time period therebetween.

In some embodiments, the second GUI comprises a plurality of food consumption times, wherein each food consumption time is selectable by a user for assigning a time of administration of a dose of a respective medication. In some embodiments, the second GUI includes an arcuate display having a plurality of user-configurable segments (e.g., number of segments, description of segments, etc.), each segment corresponding to a respective one of the food consumption times. Exemplary segments include a breakfast segment, a lunch segment, an afternoon snack segment, a dinner segment, and a bedtime snack segment. Each segment is responsive to user actuation for assigning a time of administration of a dose of a respective medication.

In other embodiments, the second GUI includes one or more user input boxes, wherein each user input box is associated with a time of day or a food consumption time. Each user input box is configured to receive a number representative of a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time.

In other embodiments, a fourth GUI is provided that comprises an array of blocks representative of the days of a month. Each block is configured to display one or more times of day and/or one or more food consumption times and a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time. A user assigns a time of administration of a dose of the medication for one or more of the blocks via the second GUI.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a pharmaceutical dispensing system includes a user station and a packaging station that is configured to selectively package individual doses of medication into customized packaging, such as pouches/strip packaging. A processor is connected to the user station and the packaging station and communicates with a memory that stores instructions to be executed by the processor. These instructions cause the processor to display a GUI within a display associated with the user station, wherein the GUI comprises a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for the medication, assign one or more daily times of administration for the medication in response to user input via the one day time scale, and package a dose of the medication in each of a respective plurality of pouches according to the assigned daily times of administration via the packaging system. Each pouch typically displays an identification of the medication contained therein and a date and time of administration for the medication.

In some embodiments, the one day time scale includes a time line representative of a twenty-four hour period. The GUI includes one or more time indicators that are positionable (e.g., slidably positionable, etc.) by a user at a respective time on the time line for assigning a time of administration of a dose of the medication. In some embodiments, the GUI includes a pair of time indicators that are spaced apart by a selected time period such that movement of one of the time indicators automatically causes the other time indicator to move to maintain the selected time period therebetween.

In other embodiments, the one day time scale includes a plurality of food consumption times, wherein each food consumption time is selectable by a user for assigning a time of administration of a dose of the medication. In some embodiments the one day time scale includes an arcuate display having a plurality of user-configurable segments (e.g., number of segments, description of segments, etc.), each segment corresponding to a respective one of the food consumption times. Exemplary segments include a breakfast segment, a lunch segment, an afternoon snack segment, a dinner segment, and a bedtime snack segment. Each segment is responsive to user actuation for assigning a time of administration to a dose of the medication.

In other embodiments, the GUI includes one or more user input boxes, wherein each user input box is associated with a time of day or a food consumption time. Each user input box is configured to receive a number representative of a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time.

In other embodiments, the GUI includes a calendar GUI that comprises an array of blocks representative of the days of a month. Each block is configured to display one or more times of day and/or one or more food consumption times and a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time. A user assigns a time of administration of a dose of the medication for one or more of the blocks via the second GUI.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a pharmaceutical dispensing system includes a user station and a packaging station that is configured to selectively package individual doses of medication into customized packaging, such as pouches/strip packaging. A processor is connected to the user station and the packaging station and communicates with a memory that stores instructions to be executed by the processor. These instructions cause the processor to display a first GUI within a display associated with the user station, wherein the first GUI contains prescription information for each of the medications that can be taken together (e.g., medication identification, medication quantity, and medication dose amount, etc.). The first GUI also includes a time picker GUI control that is responsive to user actuation for displaying a second GUI that includes a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for each of the medications.

The instructions further cause the processor to display the second GUI in response to user actuation of the time picker GUI control, and assign one or more daily times of administration for the medication in response to user input via the one day time scale. The instructions further cause the processor to package individual doses of the medications in a plurality of pouches via the packaging station. Each pouch contains an individual dose of a plurality of the medications having the same daily time of administration, and each pouch typically displays an identification of the medications contained therein and a date and time of administration for the medications.

In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the processor to display a third GUI adjacent to the first GUI, wherein the third GUI displays a representation of each of the plurality of pouches. Each pouch representation may contain an identification of the medications contained in the corresponding pouch and a date and time of administration for the medications in the corresponding pouch.

In some embodiments, the second GUI includes a time line representative of a twenty-four hour period, and one or more time indicators. Each time indicator is positionable (e.g., slidably positionable, etc.) by a user at a respective time on the time line for assigning a time of administration of a dose of a respective medication. In some embodiments, the GUI includes a pair of time indicators that are spaced apart by a selected time period such that movement of one of the time indicators automatically causes the other time indicator to move to maintain the selected time period therebetween.

In some embodiments, the second GUI comprises a plurality of food consumption times, wherein each food consumption time is selectable by a user for assigning a time of administration of a dose of a respective medication. In some embodiments, the second GUI includes an arcuate display having a plurality of user-configurable segments (e.g., number of segments, description of segments, etc.), each segment corresponding to a respective one of the food consumption times. Exemplary segments include a breakfast segment, a lunch segment, an afternoon snack segment, a dinner segment, and a bedtime snack segment. Each segment is responsive to user actuation for assigning a time of administration of a dose of a respective medication.

In other embodiments, the second GUI includes one or more user input boxes, wherein each user input box is associated with a time of day or a food consumption time. Each user input box is configured to receive a number representative of a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time.

In other embodiments, a fourth GUI is provided that comprises an array of blocks representative of the days of a month. Each block is configured to display one or more times of day and/or one or more food consumption times and a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time. A user assigns a time of administration of a dose of the medication for one or more of the blocks via the second GUI.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a computer program product includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having encoded thereon instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to display a GUI within a display associated with a pharmaceutical dispensing system, wherein the GUI comprises a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for the medication. The instructions further cause the processor to assign one or more daily times of administration for the medication in response to user input via the one day time scale, and package a dose of the medication in each of a respective plurality of pouches according to the assigned daily times of administration via the pharmaceutical dispensing system. Each pouch typically displays an identification of the medication contained therein and a date and time of administration for the medication.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, a computer program product includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having encoded thereon instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to display a first graphical user interface (GUI) within a display associated with a pharmaceutical dispensing system, wherein the first GUI contains prescription information for each of the medications that can be taken together (e.g., medication identification, medication quantity, and medication dose amount, etc.). The first GUI also includes a time picker GUI control that is responsive to user actuation for displaying a second GUI that includes a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for each of the medications.

The instructions further cause the processor to display the second GUI in response to user actuation of the time picker GUI control, and assign one or more daily times of administration for the medication in response to user input via the one day time scale. The instructions further cause the processor to package individual doses of the medications in a plurality of pouches via the packaging station. Each pouch contains an individual dose of a plurality of the medications having the same daily time of administration, and each pouch typically displays an identification of the medications contained therein and a date and time of administration for the medications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, certain components or features may be exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines may illustrate optional features or elements unless specified otherwise. In addition, the sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can be associated with another embodiment or figure although not specifically described or shown as such.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first GUI control could be termed a second GUI control, and, similarly, a second GUI control could be termed a first GUI control without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

The term “about”, as used herein with respect to a value or number, means that the value or number can vary by +/−20%, 10%, 5%, 1%, 0.5%, or even 0.1%.

The terms “container” and “pouch”, as used herein, refer to any type of container that may be utilized to contain multiple medications that are to be taken at the same time of day.

The term “pharmaceutical dispensing system”, as used herein, refers to any type of pharmaceutical dispensing system including, but not limited to, automated systems that fill containers/pouches with pills, and semi-automated systems that fill containers/pouches with pills.

The terms “pharmaceutical” and “medication”, as used herein, are interchangeable and refer to medicaments prescribed to patients.

The term “pills” refers to any type of medicament that can be packaged within a container/pouch by automated and semi-automated pharmacy systems including, but not limited to, capsules, tablets, caplets, gel caps, lozenges, and the like.

The terms “user”, “pharmacist”, and “pharmacy technician” are interchangeable and refer to a person authorized to assign times of administration to medication(s) via an automated pharmacy dispensing system.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the GUIs, block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in so software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as “circuitry,” “a module” or variants thereof.

Referring now to the figures, systems, methods, and computer program products for assigning a time of administration and packaging patient medications to be taken over a period of time, according to some embodiments of the present invention, will be described. Referring initially toFIG. 2A, a pharmaceutical dispensing system, such as the Parata PASS™ system (Parata, Inc., Durham, N.C.), is configured to determine if a patient has multiple medication prescriptions (Block100), determine if any of the medications can be taken together (Block110), and for medications that can be taken together, assign specific times of administration to the medications (Block120). The pharmaceutical dispensing system is then configured to package medications to be taken at a same specific time in pouches, such as illustrated inFIG. 1. Determining if medications can be taken together may include accessing a database, knowledgebase, or other source of information to verify that there are no known unwanted or dangerous reactions that can occur when two medications are taken at the same time, and/or to verify that a particular patient is not known to have an allergic reactions to particular combinations of medications, etc. Alternatively, a pharmacist may be responsible for verifying that drugs with interactions are assigned specific times of administration that are appropriate for each drug. Medications that cannot be mixed with other medications can be packaged in a separate pouch or in a vial.

Assigning specific times of administration to the medications (Block120) can be performed in numerous ways, as illustrated inFIG. 2B. In some embodiments, a linear time picker (Block122) is utilized and in other embodiments a radial time picker (Block124) is utilized, as will be described below. In some embodiments, a complex time picker (Block126) is utilized, as will be described below. The complex time picker (Block126) utilizes a calendar interface in combination with the linear time picker (Block122) and/or radial time picker (Block124).

According to embodiments of the present invention, a user, such as a pharmacist/pharmacy technician, receives multiple medication prescriptions for a patient and then, using various graphical user interfaces (GUIs) displayed within the display of a work station (820,FIG. 10) and described below inFIGS. 3-9, processes the prescriptions into batches. The batches are then filled by a packaging station (830,FIG. 10) of an automated pharmacy dispensing system. For example, the user uses the SIG information (physician provided information associated with a prescription, such as “take with food”, “take two times a day”, etc.), warnings, quantity, and days supply or schedule length for each prescription to process the patient's prescriptions into a batch. A typical batch packages a single patient's prescription for a 28-, 30-, or 31-day schedule, with each pouch (10,FIG. 1) containing all doses for all prescriptions to be administered at a specific date and time of day.

Referring toFIG. 3, a patient selector screen200that can be displayed within the display of a work station (820,FIG. 10) is illustrated. The illustrated patient selector screen200allows a user to locate and select patients such that specific times of administration can be assigned to their medication prescriptions. The illustrated patient selector screen200includes three portions: a patient name pane202, a patient query pane204, and a patient list navigation bar206. The patient name pane202displays a list of patients having prescriptions to be filled. Each row202ain the illustrated patient name pane202includes the name of a respective patient and the patient's birth date. Using the patient query pane204, the user can search for patients by first or last name via boxes204a,204b, and using either partial or full spelling. The patient list navigation bar206allows the user to navigate between screens of patient query3D results using the arrow buttons206a,206b, as would be understood by one skilled in the art.

To assign times of administration to a patient's medications, the patient is selected from the patient name pane202ofFIG. 3, which causes the patient information screen300(FIG. 4) to be displayed. The illustrated patient information screen300includes two panes or GUIs310,330positioned adjacent to each other. GUI310contains information about a selected patient and his/her medication prescription(s). For example, inFIG. 4, information about five medication prescriptions312a-312eis displayed for the selected patient. The medication prescription information includes a prescription number314a, prescription medication name314b, and a medication quantity (i.e., number of doses)314c. Also included with each medication is a respective time picker GUI control316a-316ethat is responsive to user actuation for displaying a GUI in which the user can assign times of administration to the medication, as will be described below.

Each time picker GUI control316a-316edisplays a status of the assignment of times of administration for each respective medication. For example, in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 4, time picker GUI controls316a,316b,316cindicate that times of administration for the respective medication has been assigned. Time picker GUI control316dindicates that the user has utilized a grid picker or calendar GUI (described below) to assign complex times of administration for the medication. Time picker GUI control316eindicates that the assignment of times of administration has not been completed for this medication.

In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 4, status icons320a-320eare displayed with each respective medication312a-312e. Status icons320a-320dindicate that the medication will be packaged into respective pouches, such as the type of pouch10ofFIG. 1, via a packaging station of an automated pharmacy dispensing system. Status icon320eindicates that the medication will be packaged into a vial, for example via another type of automated/semi-automated pharmacy dispensing system.

GUI330illustrated inFIG. 4displays how a patient's prescription(s) will be distributed into pouches based on the times of administration assigned thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, GUI330displays a respective representation332of each of the plurality of pouches. Each pouch representation332contains an identification of the medications contained in the corresponding pouch and a date and time of administration for the medications in the corresponding pouch.

Referring now toFIGS. 5-9, the assignment of times of administration for medications will be described.FIG. 5illustrates a linear time picker GUI400that is displayed when a user actuates a time picker GUI control, such as GUI controls316a-316cofFIG. 4. The illustrated linear time picker GUI400is a one day time scale that includes a time line402representative of a twenty-four hour period. Information about a medication for which one or more times of administration per day are to be assigned is displayed beneath the time line402in area404. In the illustrated embodiment the medication prescription information includes a prescription number406a, prescription medication name406b, and a medication quantity (i.e., number of doses)406c.

The linear time picker GUI400includes one or more time indicators408that are positionable by a user at a respective time on the time line for assigning a time of administration of a dose of the medication. For example, the prescription for the medication may contain directions to take one pill every twelve hours. However, the prescription does not indicate what two hours of the day to take the medication. Using the linear time picker GUI400, a user selects two specific times of day (i.e., 8:00 am and 8:00 pm) using the time indicators408.

When two or more time indicators408are used to assign multiple times of administration in a day for a medication, the time indicators408may be slidably positionable along the time line402and movable together. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, movement of one of the time indicators408may automatically cause the other time indicator408to move to maintain the selected time period (i.e., twelve hours) therebetween. Thus, if it is desired to change the time of administration to 9:00 am and 9:00 pm, the user can move the time indicator408on the left to 9:00 am and the time indicator408on the right automatically moves to 9:00 pm to maintain the twelve hour interval therebetween. Similarly, the user can move the time indicator408on the right to 9:00 pm and the time indicator408on the left automatically moves to 9:00 am to maintain the twelve hour interval therebetween.

In the illustrated embodiment, the linear time picker GUI400displays a status icon410in area404that indicates that the medication will be packaged into respective pouches, such as pouch10ofFIG. 1via a packaging station of an automated pharmacy dispensing system. Once the user is finished with assigning the times of administration for a medication, the information can be saved by clicking anywhere on the linear time picker GUI400. The linear time picker GUI then disappears and the user is returned to the patient information screen300(FIG. 4).

FIG. 6illustrates a radial time picker GUI500that is displayed when a user actuates a time picker GUI control, such as GUI controls316a-316cofFIG. 4. The illustrated radial time picker GUI500includes an arcuate display502of a one day time scale that has a plurality of food consumption times displayed as segments504a-504e. Each segment504a-504ecorresponds to a respective food consumption time (i.e., a meal or snack time). In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate display502includes a breakfast segment504a, a lunch segment504b, an afternoon snack segment504c, a dinner segment504d, and a bedtime snack segment504e. The number and configuration of segments in the arcuate display502can be modified by a user (i.e., the segments are user-configurable). For example, a user may assign different names to the segments, may increase the number of displayed segments, or may decrease the number of displayed segments.

Each segment504a-504eis responsive to user actuation for assigning a time of administration of a dose of the medication to a food consumption time. For example, a prescription may indicate that a medication is to be taken with food, but does not indicate when the medication is to be taken with food. The radial time picker GUI500allows a user to specifically identify a food consumption time (i.e., a meal or snack time) when a medication is to be taken.

The radial time picker GUI500assigns a “default” time to each named period, i.e. Breakfast=8:00 AM. If the default time of 8:00 AM is acceptable, then the radial time picker GUI580can be used to assign the dose time.

In the illustrated embodiment, the radial time picker GUI500displays information about a medication for which one or more times of administration per day are to be assigned in area506. In the illustrated embodiment, the medication prescription information includes a prescription number508a, prescription medication name508b, and a medication quantity (e.g., number of doses or, alternatively, a number of pills that are assigned to a dose)508c. In addition, area506includes a status icon510and a food icon512for each medication. The status icon510indicates that the medication will be packaged into respective pouches, such as pouch10ofFIG. 1via a packaging station of an automated pharmacy dispensing system. The food icon512indicates that, per the prescription, the medication must be taken with food.

Once the user is finished with assigning the times of administration for the medication, the information can be saved by clicking anywhere on the radial time picker GUI500. The radial time picker GUI500then disappears and the user is returned to the patient information screen300(FIG. 4).

The linear time picker GUI400is used and for certain types of prescriptions, and the radial time picker GUI500is used for certain types of prescriptions. However, there are some types of prescriptions for which either may be utilized. Table 1 below summarizes the types of prescriptions for which the linear time picker GUI400, the radial time picker GUI500, or both may be utilized.

TABLE 1Dose Schedule or Delivery MethodTime PickerIdentical, single-pill doses every dayLinear Time PickerIdentical, single-pill doses every day and allRadial Time Pickerdosage periods are default periodsIdentical single-pill doses every day butEithernot all dosage periods are default periodsORIdentical multiple-pill doses every day,whether by time or by periodPrescription can not be packaged byEitherautomation (e.g., liquid, cream, or inhaler)

Some medication prescriptions require doses to be administered outside of typical time periods (e.g., meal times, etc.) and/or require multiple pills per dose. Referring toFIG. 7, GUI600allows a user to assign times of administration for medications that cannot be assigned using the linear time picker GUI400and the radial time picker GUI500. The illustrated GUI600is divided into three sections602,604, and606. Section602displays information about a medication for which one or more times of administration per day are to be assigned. In the illustrated embodiment the medication prescription information includes a prescription number602a, prescription medication name602b, and a medication quantity (i.e., number of doses)602c. Section604displays a plurality of user input boxes604a-604ethat are associated with a food consumption time. For example, user input box604ais associated with breakfast, user input box604bis associated with lunch, user input box604cis associated with afternoon snack, user input box604dis associated with dinner, and user input box604eis associated with bedtime snack. Section606displays a user input box606athat is not associated with a food consumption time. For example, user input box606ais associated with a specific time (i.e., 8:00 pm). There may be any number of user input boxes in sections604,606. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated number. GUI control608may be utilized to add additional user input boxes in sections604,606. For example, a user may activate GUI control608to add a mid-morning input box in section604, a 12:00 PM input box in section606, etc.

Each of the user input boxes604a-604eand606aare configured to receive a number representative of a quantity of the medication that is to be taken at, a respective time of day or food consumption time. In the illustrated embodiment, the user has indicated that one pill of the medication is to be taken at breakfast and one pill of the medication is to be taken at 8:00 pm. Once the user is finished with assigning the times of administration for the medication, the information can be saved by clicking anywhere on the GUI600. The GUI600then disappears and the user is returned to the patient information screen300(FIG. 4).

FIG. 8illustrates a grid or calendar GUI700that allows a pharmacist/technician to assign times of administration that are irregular from day to day (e.g., taken every other day) or to prescription dosages that increase or decrease over time (i.e., dose titration). The illustrated calendar GUI700includes an array of blocks702that are representative of the days of a month. Each block702is configured to display one or more times of day and/or one or more food consumption times and a quantity of a medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day or food consumption time. The illustrated calendar GUI700also includes a plurality of user input boxes704a-704cthat are configured to receive a number representative of a quantity of a medication that is to be taken at a respective time of day. GUI control708may be utilized to add additional user input boxes. For example, a user may activate GUI control708to add an additional user input box for an additional time, such as 4:00 PM, etc.

To add one or more times of administration for one or more medications to a block702, a user clicks on the respective block702to activate the block. The linear time picker GUI400and/or the radial time picker GUI500is then used, as described above, to assign times of administration for one or more medications. This is repeated for each block in the calendar GUI700as needed. In the illustrated calendar GUI700ofFIG. 8, a user has assigned times of administration for a medication prescription with the instructions “take twice a day for two weeks then once a day for two weeks.” Once the user is finished with assigning the times of administration for the medication, the information can be saved by clicking anywhere on the calendar GUI700. The calendar GUI700then disappears and the user is returned to the patient information screen300(FIG. 4).

FIG. 9illustrates the calendar GUI700ofFIG. 8where times of administration for a medication are assigned based on food consumption times. For example, the calendar GUI700inFIG. 9includes a plurality of user input boxes706a-706ethat are configured to receive, a number representative of a quantity of a medication that is to be taken at a respective food consumption time. In the illustrated calendar GUI700ofFIG. 9, a user has assigned times of administration for a medication prescription with the instructions “take twice a day with food for two weeks, then once a day with food for two weeks.”

FIG. 10illustrates an exemplary processor800and memory802associated with an automated pharmacy dispensing system that may be utilized in implementing various embodiments of the present invention. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a single processor and memory. Multiple processors and/or memory may be utilized, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

The processor800and memory802may be utilized in conjunction with an automated pharmacy dispensing system to package prescribed patient medications to be taken over a period of time, as described above. The processor800communicates with the memory802via an address/data bus804. The processor800may be, for example, a commercially available or custom microprocessor or similar data processing device. The memory802is representative of the overall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and data used to perform the various operations described herein. The memory802may include, but is not limited to, the following types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, SRAM, and DRAM.

As shown inFIG. 10, the memory802may hold various categories of software and data: an operating system806, a medication combination module808, a time of administration module810, and a packaging module812. The operating system806may manage the resources of one or more devices used to implement embodiments of the present invention and may coordinate execution of various programs (e.g., the medication combination module808, the time of administration module810, and the packaging module812, etc.) by the processor800. The operating system806can be any operating system suitable for use with a data processing system, such as IBM®, OS/2®, AIX® or z/OS® operating systems, Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, Android®, Unix or Linux™, etc.

The medication combination module808comprises logic for determining if a patient has multiple medication prescriptions (Block100,FIG. 2A) and, in some embodiments, for determining if two or more of the medications can be taken together (Block110,FIG. 2A). In other embodiments, the medication combination module808may only comprise logic for providing a drug name and an NDC associated therewith. In such embodiments, it is the pharmacist's responsibility to know and apply drug interaction restrictions about what medications can be taken together. The time of administration module810comprises logic for assigning times of administration to one or more medications (Block120,FIGS. 2A-2B) via the various GUIs200,300,400,500,600, and700described above. The packaging module812comprises logic for packaging medications in pouches according to assigned times of administration (Block130,FIG. 2A).