News

Self-service pharmacy vending patent close, ADVS says

May 1, 2014

ADVS Technologies announced its patent for its Optimization of Pharmacy Operations using Automatic Distributed Vending System is in the final stages of approval by the United States Patent Office.

San Diego-based ADVS's patent is for technology that enables patients to pick up their prescriptions from an ADVS-based pharmacy or a standalone unattended 24-hour ADVS-enabled kiosk.

Pharmacies have made significant progress in automating behind-the-counter operations, ADVS says. However, the front-end, where customers line up for medications, has not changed much at all. The ADVS solution aims to automate customer pick-up, increase efficiency and lower costs.

ADVS says its technology benefits customers by providing verified medications. The system monitors for the proper barcode information, calculated weight and size of the container, ambient environment and expiration date. Only medications in full compliance with the specifications are dispensed to an authorized customer.

The company said the ADVS solution speeds up the delivery of medications and allows customers to schedule a pickup time. By eliminating waiting time in pharmacy lines, the danger of contracting contagious diseases is reduced, it said.