Patent ID: 7260447

Claim:
An automated system for preparing a pharmaceutical product, the system comprising: at least one computer having a database for receiving and storing criteria related to the preparation and delivery of the pharmaceutical product to a another location; a dispensing apparatus in bi-directional communication with the at least one computer, the dispensing apparatus including a robotic device for performing a series of operations related to the preparation of the pharmaceutical product based upon information inputted to the computer, the dispensing apparatus having a plurality of work stations at which the robotic device performs the operations resulting in the pharmaceutical product being prepared in accordance with the stored criteria, wherein one of the work stations includes a unit for storing at least one pharmaceutical drug, the unit being disposed within a distance from the dispensing apparatus so that the at least one robotic device can access the unit and retrieve a particular pharmaceutical drug that is stored therein, the unit holding a plurality of pharmaceutical products that are arranged in drug vials arranged in a plurality of columns, each column having one sensor associated therewith for indicating that the associated column is empty, the work stations also including a station for removal of a cap from one drug vial that contains one pharmaceutical drug, wherein one unit of the pharmaceutical product is prepared at one time in the drug vial by reconstituting the pharmaceutical drug which is then withdrawn therefrom as the resultant pharmaceutical product; and an inspection station for inspecting the resultant pharmaceutical product to determine whether the resultant pharmaceutical product complies with the stored criteria associated with the resultant pharmaceutical product, wherein if the resultant pharmaceutical product passes an inspection, the resultant pharmaceutical product is advanced to another station.