Abstract:
A method of delivering at least one pharmaceutical to a client, the method comprising the steps of providing a travel itinerary of the client to an order management system, the itinerary including at least one destination; providing a prescription for the at least one pharmaceutical to the order management system; the order management system matching the travel itinerary and the prescription together and then issuing at least one order to at least one pharmaceutical supplier for delivery of the pharmaceutical to the destination before the arrival of the client for collection by the client.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method of delivering at least one pharmaceutical to a client. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method of providing a prescription and a travel itinerary including a destination to an order management system which matches the two and then issues an order to at least one pharmaceutical supplier to deliver the pharmaceutical for collection by the client at the destination. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Clients often wish to obtain pharmaceuticals whilst at destinations away from home, for example whilst on a trip abroad. There can be a number of reasons for this. For example the client may lose their pharmaceuticals and need replacements. Alternatively they may not wish to carry all of their pharmaceuticals for the whole trip with them. In addition, it can often be cheaper to purchase the pharmaceuticals at the destination, particularly if the destination is abroad. In such cases the client may also wish to purchase pharmaceuticals for import back to the home country. 
         [0003]    A problem with purchasing pharmaceuticals whilst away from home is that there may be no guarantee as to the quality of the pharmaceuticals. Instances of counterfeiting are common. Also, clients may occasionally require less common pharmaceuticals, pharmacies at the destinations would need to carry a wide range of stock, some of which may have a low turnover. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention seeks to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of delivering at least one pharmaceutical to a client, the method comprising the steps of providing a travel itinerary of the client to an order management system, the itinerary including at least one destination; providing a prescription for the at least one pharmaceutical to the order management system; the order management system matching the travel itinerary and the prescription together and then issuing at least one order to at least one pharmaceutical supplier for delivery of the pharmaceutical to the destination before the arrival of the client for collection by the client. 
         [0005]    At least one pharmaceutical may be delivered to a client. A travel itinerary is stored in a memory that is accessible by a server of an order management system. The itinerary includes at least one destination. A prescription for the at least one pharmaceutical is stored in the memory. At least one pharmaceutical supplier for at least one destination is stored in the memory. The travel itinerary and the prescription are matched together with the at least one pharmaceutical supplier in the server to provide a matched pharmaceutical supplier. Instructions are transmitted through the order management system to the matched pharmaceutical supplier to deliver the at least one pharmaceutical to the destination before arrival of the client at the destination for collection by the client. 
         [0006]    An order management system is configured for arranging the delivery of at least one pharmaceutical to a client at a destination abroad based on an itinerary of the client. The system includes a server, a memory, an agent interface, and a supplier interface. The server is connected to the internet wherein a plurality of destinations and a plurality of pharmaceutical supplier are stored therein. The memory is configured for storing information pertaining to at least one of the at least one pharmaceutical, the itinerary, and the at least one pharmaceutical supplier. The memory is in operative communication with the server. The agent interface is interconnected to the server and configured for transmitting and receiving information pertaining to the at least one pharmaceutical from the server. The supplier interface is interconnected to the server and configured for receiving and transmitting information pertaining to the at least one pharmaceutical for the client. 
         [0007]    At least one pharmaceutical may be supplied to a client at a remote location, The travel itinerary of the client is stored in a memory, accessible by an order management system, the itinerary including at least one destination. A prescription is stored in the memory for the at least one pharmaceutical. The at least one pharmaceutical supplier is stored in a memory for at least one destination. At least one of the at least one pharmaceutical, the at least one pharmaceutical supplier, and the at least one destination are retrieved from the memory by the server. The travel itinerary and the prescription are matched together with the at least one pharmaceutical supplier in the server to provide a matched pharmaceutical supplier. The at least one matched pharmaceutical supplier is displayed on the agent interface. Instructions are transmitted through the order management system to the matched pharmaceutical supplier to deliver the at least one pharmaceutical to the destination before arrival of the client at the destination for collection by the client. 
         [0008]    The system and method according to the invention has a number of advantages. The pharmaceuticals are sourced from a reputable supplier, typically in a country with high standards of pharmaceutical manufacture, packaging and dispensing. The pharmacy at the destination may only receive the pharmaceutical shortly before the arrival of the client so minimising the amount of stock which needs to be carried by the pharmacy at any one time. 
         [0009]    Preferably the travel itinerary comprises a plurality of destinations. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the order management system issues a plurality of orders to at least one pharmaceutical supplier for delivery of the at least one pharmaceutical at the plurality of destinations. 
         [0011]    The travel itinerary can comprise a start point, the start point being in a different country to at least one destination. 
         [0012]    The pharmaceutical supplier can be in a different country to the start point. 
         [0013]    The travel itinerary can be a cruise itinerary. 
         [0014]    The at least one destination can be an island. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the order management system issues an identification code on receipt of the travel itinerary. 
         [0016]    The step of providing a prescription for the client to the order management system can comprise providing the identification code along with the prescription to the order management system. 
         [0017]    Alternatively the order management system issues an identification code on matching the travel itinerary and prescription together. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the client provides credit or debit card details along with the identification code to the order management system for payment. 
         [0019]    At least one of the travel itinerary and prescription can be provided to the order management system by an agent on behalf of the client. 
         [0020]    The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Referring now to the figures, which are exemplary embodiments and wherein like elements are numbered alike: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a server interconnected with an agent interface and a supplier interface via the internet; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows, in schematic form, a first embodiment of a method according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows, in schematic form, a further embodiment of a method according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows, in schematic form, a further embodiment of a method according to the invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  shows, in schematic form, a further embodiment of a method according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components,  FIG. 1  shows a client management system  30  having a server  40  interconnected with an agent interface  120  and a supplier interface  130  via the internet  110  to arrange the delivery of at least one pharmaceutical to a client  80  at a destination abroad.  FIG. 2  shows a first embodiment of a method according to the invention. In a first step a client visits a travel agent  90  and books a trip, in this embodiment a cruise  2 , shown at  1  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The cruise starts from a start point and visits a destination abroad, typically an island. 
         [0028]    Each destination may include at least one local agent, e.g., a pharmaceutical supplier  100 . Once the cruise has been booked, the travel agent  90  offers the client the option of purchasing pharmaceuticals for collection whilst on the cruise, shown as  2  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . If the client wishes to purchase such pharmaceuticals the travel agent  90  provides the client&#39;s  80  travel itinerary to the order management system  30 , shown as  3  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Typically the order management system  30  comprises a server  40  connected to the internet  110 . The destinations and the pharmaceutical suppliers  100  are stored on the server  40 . The server  40  includes a processor  42  that is configured to process data received via the internet  110  and the like. In addition, the server is in operative communication with at least one memory  44  for storing information and data. The memory  44  may be disposed within the server  40 . The memory  44  may also be disposed external to the server  40 , i.e., at a remote location, and accessible by the server  40 . It should be appreciated that the system  30  may be configured to access one or more memory  44  that are at one or more locations and/or located internal to the server  40 . The agent  90  provides the itinerary to the server  40  by means of the agent interface  120 , typically a web browser. To do this, the agent  90  stores the travel itinerary of the client in the server  40 , where the itinerary includes at least one destination that the client will be visiting. 
         [0029]    Once the travel itinerary has been uploaded to the server  40 , the agent  90  then uploads the client&#39;s  80  prescription to the order management system  30 , over the internet  110  via the agent interface  120 , such that the prescription is stored in the server  40 , shown as  4  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The prescription includes the pharmaceutical to be delivered. The server  40  of the order management system  30  matches the travel itinerary with the prescription  5 , shown at  5  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and confirms with at least one pharmaceutical supplier  100  to ensure that the pharmaceutical is available and can be delivered to the required destination  6  by a matched pharmaceutical supplier  100 , shown as  6  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The matched pharmaceutical supplier  100  may be displayed on the agent interface for viewing by the agent and/or client. The pharmaceutical supplier  100  views the prescription and the travel itinerary on a supplier interface  130  at the location of the pharmaceutical supplier  100 . If the order can be met, i.e., the prescription is available, confirmation is sent to the agent  90  along with a request for payment through the order management system  30 , shown as  7  and  8 , respectively, in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The agent  90  requests payment from the client  80 . The client  80  provides payment details to the agent  90 , shown as  9  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Assuming the payment details are acceptable, the agent  90  provides payment to the order management system  3 . 
         [0030]    Once payment has been received, the order management system  30  transmits a request to the matched pharmaceutical supplier  100  instructing the matched pharmaceutical supplier  100  to deliver the pharmaceutical to the destination for collection by the client  80 , shown as  11  in  FIG. 2 . The matched pharmaceutical supplier  100  issues the pharmaceuticals and has them delivered, typically by a third party such as DHL, to the destination, shown as  12  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0031]    When the cruise liner arrives at the destination, the client  80  can collect the pharmaceuticals from a predetermined collection point, typically a pharmacy, shown as  13  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Alternatively, the pharmaceuticals may be delivered to the liner and the like. 
         [0032]    The method according to the invention has a number of advantages. Typically the destination is not in the same country as the start of the cruise. The pharmaceutical supplier  100  may also be in a different country to the start of the cruise. The pharmaceuticals can therefore be purchased at a reduced cost compared to the typical cost in the country where the cruise starts. A typical example would be a cruise which starts in the United States and which calls at an island in the Caribbean. Pharmaceuticals are ordered from a pharmaceutical supplier  100  in, for example, Canada and delivered at the Caribbean island. In addition to the cost saving, the client  80  also has a guarantee as to the quality of the pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceuticals arrive in a sealed package so providing a guarantee of quality. As a further advantage, the method according to the invention reduces the stock of pharmaceuticals which must be kept on the destination island. The pharmaceuticals arrive shortly before, or simultaneous with, the client  80 . 
         [0033]    In the above embodiment the cruise only calls at one destination. In an alternative embodiment the cruise calls at a plurality of destinations where pharmaceuticals may be delivered. When the client  80  visits the agent  90 , the client  80  also specifies which of the destinations are to receive deliveries of pharmaceuticals. More than one destination may receive a delivery. Also, there may be more than one type of pharmaceutical delivered either to the same destination or to different destinations. In one embodiment the order management system  30  checks with one or more pharmaceutical suppliers  100  to determine if the client&#39;s  80  proposed delivery schedule is possible. If so, the system  30  instructs the agent  90  to take payment as before. If not, the order management system  30  suggests an alternative delivery schedule which fits with the client&#39;s  80  travel plans, if one is available. 
         [0034]    In an alternative embodiment the agent  90  may provide the prescription and travel itinerary details to an operative of the order management system  30  by phone or by post, rather than over the internet 
         [0035]    Shown in  FIG. 3  is a further embodiment of the method according to the invention. In this embodiment, rather than the agent  90  taking payment the client  80  provides credit card details direct to the order management system  30 , via the agent interface  120  or a similar type of interface. The order management system  30  confirms the credit card details are acceptable, shown at  15  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The order management system  30  then issues the required instructions to the pharmaceutical suppliers  100  for delivery of the pharmaceuticals, shown at  16  in  FIG. 3 . In an alternative embodiment, once the agent  90  has booked the cruise and provided the client  80  with the travel itinerary the client  80  may provide the prescription, itinerary and payment details direct to the order management system  30 , via the agent interface  120  or a similar type of interface. 
         [0036]    Shown in  FIG. 4  is a further embodiment of a method according to the invention. In a first step, shown at  1  in  FIG. 3 , the client  80  books a cruise through an agent  90 . The agent  90  asks the client  80  if they wish to order pharmaceuticals for collection during the cruise  2 . If so the agent  90  provides the travel itinerary to the order management system  30  where it is uploaded to the server  40  of the order management system  30 , as shown at  30  in  FIG. 4 . The order management system  30  asks the client  80  for the prescription, as shown at  19  in  FIG. 4 . The client  80  provides the prescription to the order management system  30 , as shown at  20  in  FIG. 4 , where it is uploaded to the server  40  of the order management system  30 . The server  40  matches the prescription to the itinerary, shown at  22  in  FIG. 4 , and then generates and issues a unique order ID, i.e., an identification code, as shown at  23  in  FIG. 4 . Therefore, the prescription and the order ID are stored together in the server  40 . The order management system  30  then provides the order ID along with a request for payment to the client  80 , as shown at  24  in  FIG. 4 . The client  80  does not need to provide payment at this point. The next time the client  80  logs on to the order management system  30 , which may be at a later date, the client  80  uses the order ID to identify the prescription and travel itinerary and to provide payment, as shown at  25  in  FIG. 4 . The order management system  30  checks the payment details. Assuming the client  80  provides acceptable payment details, as shown at  26  in  FIG. 4 , the order management system  30  internally matches the payment with the order ID, as shown at  27  in  FIG. 4 , and transmits a confirmation of receipt of payment to the client  80 , as shown at  28  in  FIG. 4 . The confirmation of receipt of the payment to the client  80  may be displayed on the agent interface  120 . The client  80  checks the order confirmation, as shown at  29  in  FIG. 4 . If details of the order confirmation are not correct the client  80  indicates the appropriate amendments to the order management system  30  which makes the changes and issues a new order ID. The client  80  pays using the new ID and the order management system  30  issues a new confirmation of payment to the client  80 . The process is repeated until the client  80  indicates to the order management system  30  they are happy with the order confirmation. The order management system  30  then provides one or more delivery orders to the pharmaceutical suppliers for delivery of the pharmaceuticals at the destination(s), shown at  30  in FIG.  4 . The client  80  checks the pharmaceuticals on receipt, shown at  31  in  FIG. 4 . In an alternative embodiment the client  80  can amend the itinerary and/or prescription before payment. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment of a method according to the invention. The method of  FIG. 5  is similar to that of  FIG. 4  except the order management system  30  issues the order ID, as shown at  23  in  FIG. 5 , after receipt of the travel itinerary but before receipt of the prescription. The client  80  can match the prescription to the travel itinerary at a later date using the order ID. In this embodiment of the method the client  80  checks the pharmaceuticals on receipt, as shown at  31  in  FIG. 5 . If these are not as expected, the client  80  reports this to the local agent  90  of the order management system  30  at the destination. The local agent  90  checks to see if the pharmaceuticals are available locally, as shown at  32  in  FIG. 5 , and if so provides them to the client  80 . If they are not available locally, the local agent  90  contacts the order management system  30  which orders the pharmaceuticals from a pharmaceutical supplier for delivery at the destination. If this is not possible, the local agent  90  refunds at least a portion of the payment made by the client, as shown at  33  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0038]    While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.