WO2001037176A1

WO2001037176A1 - Method and apparatus for distributing substances

Info

Publication number: WO2001037176A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/031522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Fuisz
Original assignee: Richard Fuisz
Priority date: 1999-11-17
Filing date: 2000-11-17
Publication date: 2001-05-25
Also published as: AU1615901A

Abstract

An automated prescription distribution system is designed to permit the doctor to continue to write prescriptions on a paper pad and to take advantage of technology, such as fax machines and personal computers, that already exist in the doctor's office. The doctor writes the prescription on a prescription pad and faxes (Fig. 1-2) it to the prescription distribution center (PDC) (Fig. 1-6). The PDC (Fig. 1-6) then distributes the prescription to stores (Fig. 1-12 or 14) that were either pre-selected and entered into the PDC system (Fig. 1-6) or that were noted on the prescription. Alternatively, the prescription pads used by the doctor contain routing information, which may include drugstore names and check boxes. The doctor, with the patient's input, may check the boxes of the drugstores to which the prescription is to be routed.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING SUBSTANCES

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the following provisional patent application, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Application Serial No. 60/166,059 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING SUBSTANCES, filed on November 17, 1999 by Richard C. Fuisz.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of substance distribution, including medication, preferably in which an authorization is needed prior to receipt or delivery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medication generally comprises over-the-counter (OTC) medication and prescription medication. The United States Food and Drug Administration has promulgated rules and regulations that govern whether a drug may be sold OTC or whether the patient first needs to obtain a doctor's authorization.

When a patient requires a prescription, the patient must first go to an issuing doctor, who after performing suitable inquiry, issues the prescription. Traditionally, the prescription comprises a piece of paper that is signed by the doctor and contains the medication to be issued. The patient then takes the prescription to a pharmacy and has the prescription filled.

Under the current system, the doctor only has his/her own records of what was prescribed and usually does not have a copy of the actual prescription presented to the pharmacists. The patient has the responsibility of getting the prescription to a drugstore and getting the prescription filled. As the patient usually suffers from some form of ailment, this process is often much more complicated than it otherwise appears. The advent of Internet-based pharmacies and chain drugstores has increased the patient's choices in deciding where and how to get the prescription filled. If a patient wants to use an Internet-based drugstore they have to get a copy of their prescription to that online drugstore. The elderly and those who are not familiar with Internet-related technology face the increased problem of navigating the Internet and deciphering how to get their prescription filled. The increased confusion in where and how to send a prescription is not advantageous to the issuing doctor who may be burdened with multiple requests to reissue prescriptions or to send them to multiple drugstores. Some attempts at marrying Internet technology with medication distribution include providing each doctor with a handheld device that the doctor uses exclusively for writing prescriptions. The problem with this potential solution is that each doctor has to be issued a handheld device and taught how to use it. In addition, the network of prescribing pharmacies has to be pre-established, thus removing the patient's choice of where and how to get the prescription filled. These attempts also fail to provide a simple, easy-to-use system that older doctors, as well as younger doctors, are likely to use.

While many doctors are reluctant to use handheld devices and have resisted total reliance on technology, they have embraced the use of fax machines. Virtually every doctor's office is provided with at least one fax machine. The present invention provides an interface for existing hardware and creates an easy to use and efficient method by which prescriptions can be distributed to one or more drugstores for fulfillment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves these and other problems by establishing an automated prescription distribution system. The present system is designed to permit the doctor to continue to write prescriptions on a paper pad and take advantage of the technology, fax machine, or personal computer (PC) and scanner that already exists in the doctor's office. The present invention not only provides the patient with greater flexibility in where and how to get their prescription filled, but provides numerous synergistic benefits that were previously unavailable.

In one embodiment, the doctor writes the prescription on a prescription pad and faxes it to the prescription distribution center (PDC). The PDC then distributes the prescription to stores that were either pre-selected and entered into the PDC system or that were noted on the prescription. In addition, the PDC can supply copies of the prescription to third parties, such as Patient Benefit Managers (PBMs), Health Management Organizations (HMOs) or Digital Medical Record storage facilities. The drugstores may either hold the prescription until the patient arrives and directs them to fill it or the drugstore may be directed to fill the prescription immediately.

In another embodiment, the prescription pads used by the doctor contain routing information, which may comprise the names of the drugstores and/or third parties and corresponding check boxes. The doctor, with the patient's input, may check the boxes of the drugstores that the prescription is to be routed to.

Routing all prescriptions through a central system permits a number of value added features to be included. For example, each prescription may be verified, through means of a bar code or other identifier that permits the prescription pad to be verified. Third party payment information may be verified prior to sending the prescription to the drugstore so as to simplify the drugstore reimbursement. In addition, doctors not only get to keep the original facsimile, but also may be provided with periodic summary statements of prescriptions issued. Drug prescription information may be collected by the PDC and used to periodically alert the doctor to new medications or alternative medications and their costs or to provide third parties with selected information. A method of providing third party access to selected portions of the data collected by the PDC is disclosed in copending and commonly owned United States Patent Application Serial No. 09/264,900, the contents of which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference.

In another embodiment, an intelligent router may be used to distribute the prescription to drugstores that meet a user's criteria. For example, the prescription may be sent to drugstores within a predetermined radius of the patient's home or of the doctor's office. An identifier on the prescription may be used to input the doctor' or patient's home address from which a selection of drugstores may be made. The prescription may be sent to those drugstores that offer the drug in question at the lowest price or, for example, that are open the latest so as to allow the prescription to be filled in the shortest amount of time possible.

The routing of the prescriptions may be through a conventional facsimile means or it may be electronically distributed over a network, including the Internet, or any combination thereof. Some drugstores and/or third parties in a distribution of a single prescription may receive facsimiles and othesr may receive e-mail messages. Although, the doctor may choose to fax the prescription in, the routing system may distribute the prescription in an e-mail format, with the prescription attached as an attachment (for example, a MIME e-mail with a JPEG attachment). Network distribution permits additional features such as prescription cancellation and prescription recall. The present invention expressly contemplates that a receiving drugstore may have the ability to inform the PDC system that a particular prescription has been filled. If a prescription is either filled by one drugstore or not filled within a predetermined time, the prescription can be recalled from the stores. In addition, a tickler module may be used to check on the status of unfilled prescriptions to ensure that the patient has filled the prescription and is taking the medication as directed. Because the present invention permits a prescription to be tracked, doctor notification through facsimile or other means may be provided. Thus, a patient's compliance with a prescription may be monitored. In addition, if the issuing drugstore has the capability to identify the drug actually issued to the patient, the notification may serve as a check such that the doctor can compare what was prescribed with what was issued by the drugstore. The doctor may be provided with the ultimate cost to the patient.

In yet another embodiment, a drugstore that receives an e-mail prescription may reply to the e-mail and have the return e-mail routed to the doctor's facsimile equipment. The doctor may reply to the drugstore's inquiry using his fax machine or by e-mail, regardless of how the original prescription was sent. One example of an e- mail bouncing router is shown in copending and commonly owned United States Patent Application Serial No. 09/158,075, the contents of which are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference.

In yet another embodiment, a drug function can be performed by the PDC. In one embodiment, the prescription pads used by the doctor contain symptom codes that the doctor checks when the prescription is issued. The symptom codes may be generic or specific, depending on the doctor, their specialty and other factors. The PDC may then provide this information to the drugstores.

Additional needs, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part, will become apparent upon examination or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment in which the drugstores are connected to the PDC through direct connections, such as direct dial-ins.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment in which the drugstores are connected to the PDC through a network. FIG. 3 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment in which the PDC is implemented on a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an illustrative embodiment in which the PDC is connected to the Internet and is capable of hosting web pages for third party access.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative flow diagram of one example of the PDC routing. FIG. 6 is an illustrative flow diagram of one example of the PDC routing.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative flow diagram of an authenticating PDC routing.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative flow diagram of an authenticating PDC routing.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative flow diagram of a fulfillment module for a PDC routing. FIG. 10 is an illustrative flow diagram of a tickler module for a PDC routing.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative flow diagram of a drug checking module for a PDC routing.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative flow diagram of a drugstore location and distribution routing method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A method and system for distributing substances are described herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present invention may be implemented in a number if different hardware configuration. Although the present invention is described with respect to a centralized router, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a distributed routing architecture may also be used.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 a fax machine 2 is provided that communicates with a PDC router 6 through a communication means 4. The PDC router 6 is in turn connected to a first party 12 through communications means 9 and a second store 14 through communications means 7. The PDC router may also be implemented over a network and may be connected to a database that contains routing related data. As shown in FIG. 2, the PDC router 6 is operationally connected to a database 8. The PDC router is connected to parties 12, 14, 16, and 18 through the use of a network 10. The present invention expressly contemplates that the parties that receive the prescription may be a drugstore or other healthcare related third parties. The reference to drugstore, store and third parties may be used interchangeably herein.

The present invention does not have to implemented on a conventional router and may by implemented on a personal computer with fax capability. As shown in FIG. 3, the fax machine 3 is connected to a computer 20 that is in turn operationally connected to a database 22, which may by provided separately to the computer 20 or may be embodied as a hard drive, or other storage device, in the computer 20. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the PDC router 24 is operationally connected to the Internet 26, which may in turn be connected to a personal computer 28. In this embodiment, the PDC router 24 may comprise an Internet server such as a Netscape ES server and operate using a distributed object architecture. The Internet server may be used to provide patients or doctors with access to prescription status. In addition, it is expressly contemplated that access to certain information may be made available to third parties, such as drug makers.

The fax machine 2 may be any well known fax machine, including those with Group 3 or Group 4 capabilities. The fax machine 2 may also be implemented on a personal computer. As it is contemplated that the doctor will continue to write on a prescription pad, if a computer is used, then it will likely be provided with a scanner or optical character recognition (OCR) software. The present invention is designed to be used by a variety of equipment that a doctor may already have. Thus, the PDC router 6 is designed to accept and recognize various forms of facsimile transmission, such as Group 1 , Group 2 or Group 3 facsimile transmissions.

The means of connection 4 between a doctor's fax machine 2 and the PDC router 6 may be any conventionally known means. For example, the connection may be a traditional telephone call over a PBX network or it may be over a dedicated network, such as an intranet or the Internet. The PDC router 6 may be a dedicated router, a personal computer running appropriate facsimile software or any other suitable hardware. In one embodiment, a conventional automatic call distribution system may be operationally connected to multiple personal computers, where each personal computer is running appropriate facsimile software. As shown in FIG. 5, the PDC system 30 first receives an incoming facsimile

32, checks for distribution instructions 34 and then sends the facsimile to the intended recipients 36. In one embodiment, distribution instructions are provided on the facsimile. The facsimile software scans the incoming fax for checked boxes that correspond to particular recipients. The recipients' phone numbers or e-mail addresses are stored in the PDC router 6 or in an accompanying database such as 8 or 22. The routing boxes on the prescription form are scanned for checked boxes, which are then used to forward the prescription. For example, the following line of text may include:

[ ] Rxdrugstore [ ] Jim's Pharmacy [ ] ABC Chain Store

A check in the Jim's Pharmacy box may retrieve forwarding information that comprises a fax number. A check in the Rxdrugstore box may result in retrieval of an e-mail address and a fax number. The checking for distribution instructions may comprise scanning the line of text, which may be preceded by a known text pattern, to aid in recognizing distribution instructions.

It is expressly contemplated that the distribution instructions may be provided separately from the prescription. Thus, a prescription may be received by the PDC and held until such time as distribution instructions are received. It is expressly contemplated that the distribution instructions may be initiated by a drugstore, for example, through accessing the distribution network and requesting all pending prescriptions for a given patient.

This basic system may be modified, as shown in FIG. 6, to include an identifier feature. Thus, the PDC system 37 first receives a fax (step 32). An identifier is extracted (step 38) and distribution instructions are retrieved (step 40) and the facsimile is processed (step 36). In this embodiment, the identifier may correspond to the doctor, the patient or both and may contain predetermined forwarding instructions. Distribution instructions that correspond to the identifier can be predetermined and stored by the PDC. Alternately, the identifier may be used to retrieve the prescription information if a drugstore is initiating the distribution. PBM, or third party co-payment information, may be incorporated in the prescription in either check-box format or at a predetermined location. The third- party information may be converted to a know format, through an optical character recognition process, if necessary, and distributed to the third party.

In another embodiment, an authentication feature may be provided. As shown in FIG. 7, an authentication PDC receives a facsimile (step 32) and authenticates the facsimile (step 42), extracts the distribution instructions (step 44) and appropriately distributes the facsimile (step 36). The authentication process may comprise the use of a bar code that is provided on each prescription. The bar code may contain a doctor identifier and a sequential listing of numbers, such that each prescription has a unique identifier. The authentication module may search the registry for a valid doctor identifier and/or simply search for duplicate authentication codes.

Authentication may also include PBM or third-party payment information that may be verified and supplied to the drugstore.

It is also expressly contemplated that a doctor may place a bar code, which may be in the form of a sticker, associated with a PBM or other third party, to whom the prescription is to be distributed. Third party information may be sent to the drugstores in bar code format or they may be converted to a standard format and distributed to the drugstore. It is expressly contemplated that a distributed object architecture, as described in United States Patent Application Serial No. 09/264,900 may be used to provide a drugstore with third party payment information in a format that is compatible to their internal needs.

In another embodiment, a PDC 45 with override and tickler functions is provided in FIG. 8. The PDC receives a prescription facsimile (step 50) and then an authentication module is run (step 52). If the prescription cannot be authenticated, an override function is permitted (step 54). If the authentication failure is not overridden, the sender is notified (step 56) and the doctor is notified (step 58). Doctor and sender notification is provided separately because it is expressly contemplated that the doctor may not be sending the prescription from the doctor's office. If the sender's and the doctor's number are the same, a single notification may occur. Alternatively, if the doctor identity cannot be determined, only the send will be notified.

An authentication override is permitted, because it is contemplated that there may be times when a doctor does not have access to the appropriate prescription pad or that there may be transmission difficulties that prevent an authentic prescription from being properly authenticated. If an authentication override occurs (step 60), the doctor is notified (step 58) even though the prescription is distributed.

Thus, if the authentication is overridden or the authentication passes, the distribution instructions are retrieved (step 62) and the prescription distributed (step 64). The prescriptions may be recorded in a tickler module (step 66) before being distributed (step 68).

Prescriptions may be tracked using a prescription fulfillment module 69, one example of which is shown in FIG. 9. Upon fulfillment of a prescription, a drugstore may either send a return facsimile or e-mail message (step 70) to the PDC. The PDC retrieves the distribution data associated with the prescription (step 72) and recalls or notifies all drugstores that previously received a copy of the prescription that the prescription has been filled. The PDC may also notify the doctor (step 76) that the patient has obtained the prescription.

One example of the tickler module 77 is shown in FIG. 10. The PDC periodically, such as once a week or once every two weeks, queries the distribution database to identify prescriptions that were distributed but which were not fulfilled or for which a fulfillment notice was not received (step 80). The non-filled or non- notified prescriptions are identified (step 82) and the issuing doctor is notified (step 84). The Doctor may then follow-up with their patient to ensure the patient is complying with the doctor's orders. In another embodiment, an optical character recognition (OCR) function may be incorporated along with a symptom verification module. FIG. 11 shows both the OCR and symptom verification modules 90, but those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the modules may be provided separately. The faxed prescription is received (step 50) and an OCR is applied (step 92). The OCR is compared to known medications to determine if an adequate OCR has occurred and if the handwriting is legible (step 94). If the handwriting is illegible, the doctor is notified (step 104). If the handwriting is legible, symptom codes are extracted from the fax (step 96). Symptom codes are generalized symptoms that the doctor is prescribing the medication for. This is designed to help identify a drug that has been successfully OCRed but which is not the drug the doctor prescribed. Medication data is retrieved (step 98) and compared with the symptoms the doctor indicated (step 100). If the symptoms do not match the intended use of the medications, the doctor is notified (step 104) and the program ends (step 106) without the prescription being routed to the drugstores. If the symptoms and medication match, a distribution module is run (step 102) and the prescription is distributed to the intended drugstores.

In yet another embodiment, the patient's zip code is incorporated into the prescription. As shown in FIG. 12, the PDC 110 receives a facsimile (step 112). Location information is extracted (step 114) and a drugstore database is queried (step 116) to determine drugstores within a predetermined distance of a location. The prescription is then distributed (step 120).

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with the preferred embodiments known at the time, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for distributing prescriptions, comprising the steps of: receiving a prescription at a prescription processing center; determining one or more destinations for said prescription; and distributing said prescription to at least one of said one or more destinations.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said prescription is received via one of facsimile, e-mail, and web-based software.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: extracting a destination identifier from said prescription, wherein said one or more destinations corresponds to said destination identifier..

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: extracting a doctor identifier from said prescription.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: extracting a first party distribution destination and a second party distribution destination from said prescription; and sending said prescription to said first party destination and said second party destination.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: extracting medication information from said prescription; and storing said medication information.

7. The method according to claimό, further comprising the step of: providing selected access to said stored medical information.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: sending said prescription to a first party via facsimile; and sending said prescription to a second party via e-mail.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: receiving an acknowledgment from one of said one or more destinations that said prescription was fulfilled.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the prescription includes symptom information.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: determining when said extracted medication information appropriately matches said symptom information; and preventing said distribution of said prescription if said extracted medication information does not appropriately match said symptom information.

12. A computer readable medium bearing instructions for distributing prescriptions, said instructions being arranged to cause one or more processors upon execution thereof to perform the steps of: receiving a prescription at a prescription processing center; determining one or more destinations for said prescription; and distributing said prescription to at least one of said one or more destinations.

13. A prescription distribution system, comprising: receiving circuitry configured to receive a prescription; a destination resolver configured to identify one or more destination for the prescription; and transmitting circuitry configured to distribute the prescription to at least one of the one or more destination.