A medication support device including a container to store medicine packs, a medicine dispenser in which a specific one of the medicine packs is disposed to a prescribed position, a picking-up conveyor to pick up the specific one of the medicine packs from the container and convey the specific one of the medicine packs to a prescribed position of the medicine dispenser, a pack data reader attached to the picking-up conveyor and reading first medication-related information added to at least one of the container, the medicine packs, or the medicine dispenser, a pack data memory that stores second medication-related information set in advance to at least one of the container, the medicine packs, or the medicine dispenser, and processing circuitry. In the medication support device, the processing circuitry compares the first medication-related information read by the pack data reader with the second medication-related information stored in the pack data memory.

An ejection tray is provided for use in combination with a medication container including a medication-containing cell. The tray includes a frame configured to receive at least a portion of the medication container. An actuator is movably associated with the frame to eject the medication from the cell. A switch is associated with the frame and configured to change from a first state to a second state upon the actuator being moved to eject the medication from the cell. A host processor is associated with the frame and is electrically coupled or selectively coupled to the switch. The host processor is programmed to detect a change in the state of the switch.

A programmable medication dispenser is provided to securely dispense medication to a patient and mitigate the risk of diversion of the medication to an unauthorized user. The programmable medication dispenser may include a processor, a memory, a housing, a biometric verification module, an inner receptacle having a plurality of compartments for storing the medication, and a gate for dispensing the medication from one of the compartments. A patient may access the medication stored within the medication dispenser according to a prescribed dosing schedule based on instructions executed by the processor after verifying his or her identify via the biometric verification module. A system is also provided for securely dispensing, monitoring, controlling medication for a patient using the programmable medication dispenser and for mitigating the risk of diversion of the medication to an unauthorized user. The system could be implemented in a cloud-based environment wherein centralized, cloud-based monitoring and control of a network of medication dispensing systems is provided, and the system could function as a centralized portal for allowing healthcare providers to access patient healthcare data, as well as for allowing insurers and other entities to access such data, as needed.

Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received.

A multi-tray medication dispensing apparatus and a method of use provides secure storage and dispensing of controlled substances and supplemental/alternative medication while providing remote assistance and monitoring. The apparatus includes at least two motorized medication trays for automatic dispensing of medication. Medication tray compartments can be filled manually or filled by inserting a prefilled blister pack containing sealed medication. The apparatus further comprises a secure tamper resistant housing, plurality of sensors, an optional reclamation safe, and a wireless communication module to notify remote operators of suspected illegal/unauthorized access. The apparatus can be configured in different form factors including, a portable desktop configuration, a wearable configuration designed for attaching to a person's wrist, arm, foot, etc. The apparatus can dispense a controlled substance or supplemental/alternative medication based upon a dispensing schedule and/or inputs from the user, wherein the supplemental/alternative medication is alternatively dispensed to control addition and/or proper use.

Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method for facilitating the tracking of consumable pharmaceutical articles are disclosed. A marking apparatus is configured to apply unique indelible identifiers to pharmaceutical articles at the point-of-sale. The indelible identifiers on the articles are visually or electronically readable to allow each respective article to be traced with respect to its manufacturer, prescribing physician, patient to whom it was prescribed, dispensing location, expiration date, dosage, or some combination thereof. An associated system and method may involve the provision of a remote database element configured to be in network communication between the marking apparatus, manufacturer, distributor, prescriber, dispensing location, scanning tool, or some combination thereof. The indelible identifier may initially be generated by the apparatus and then obtained and recorded by the remote database element. Alternative, the indelible identifier may initially be generated and recorded by the remote database element, then provided to the marking apparatus.

One aspect of this disclosure provides a medication fulfillment system, comprising a medication fulfillment canister, a medication filling station, and a fulfillment station. In one embodiment, the medication filling station comprises a disassembly rack configured to hold the canister in an inverted position and hold an upper dispensing compartment in an inverted position to receive a given medication therein; and an air injection system including an air manifold having a gas supply end and outlet end, and a biased push plate, the outlet end connectable to a lock of the canister. The fulfillment station, comprises a vibrator station configured to receive the canister therein; one or more optical scanners coupled to a controller for reading identification data located on the canister to identify a medication located therewithin; and an air push device for unlocking the lock and allow the tray lid to be placed in an open position.

Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method for facilitating the tracking of consumable pharmaceutical articles are disclosed. A marking apparatus is configured to apply unique indelible identifiers to pharmaceutical articles at the point-of-sale. The indelible identifiers on the articles are visually or electronically readable to allow each respective article to be traced with respect to its manufacturer, prescribing physician, patient to whom it was prescribed, dispensing location, expiration date, dosage, or some combination thereof. An associated system and method may involve the provision of a remote database element configured to be in network communication between the marking apparatus, manufacturer, distributor, prescriber, dispensing location, scanning tool, or some combination thereof. The indelible identifier may initially be generated by the apparatus and then obtained and recorded by the remote database element. Alternative, the indelible identifier may initially be generated and recorded by the remote database element, then provided to the marking apparatus.

Described is a multi-part device for keeping consumables such as dietary supplements in separate, non-contaminatable, individually accessible container compartments. The device of the invention can also be used for storage of other items, as well. The top of the device is removable, has several interconnected lids that are attached and retained to the container portion of the device by a rotable cap, the position of which selects which lid, if any, can be opened by a user. The compartment lids separate the contents stored in the various compartments so as to keep the contents of each compartment from being contaminated by items or materials placed in other compartments or from the environment. The safe can be locked shut by rotating the cap to predetermined positions.

A pill dispensing apparatus includes a carousel with at least one removable bin for storing pills, a vision system for identifying pills within the bin, a vacuum nozzle for removing one or more pills identified by the vision system, and a dispensing area for receipt of the removed pills.