Medicine dispensing device and medicine supply method using medicine dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a medicine dispensing device capable of automatically performing a weighing-out operation when the required dispensing amount in the pharmaceutical data exceeds the maximum dispensable amount.SOLUTION: A medicine dispensing device includes: a supply unit that supplies a medicine; a dispensing unit that dispenses the medicine supplied by the supply unit; and a control unit that controls the supply unit and the dispensing unit based on input pharmaceutical data. The supply unit includes a weighing-out unit that weighs out the medicine from a medicine container storing the medicine. When the required number of times of dispensing the medicine to be dispensed in the pharmaceutical data exceeds the maximum number of times that the medicine can be dispensed in a single dispensing operation by the dispensing unit, the control unit controls the weighing-out unit to weigh out the medicine to be dispensed in multiple steps.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to drug dispensing devices and drug dispensing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-130972 (Patent Document 1) discloses a powder medicine packaging device that includes a plurality of medicine containers for storing powder medicine by type, a distribution unit that distributes the powder medicine discharged from the medicine containers, and a medicine packaging device that performs a packaging operation to individually package the powder medicine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-130972 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above document describes that the drug is introduced into the drug inlet one dose at a time by operating the scraping device while the distribution unit is rotated by a predetermined angle. There is a limit to the number of times that the 360° angle of one rotation of the distribution unit can be divided, and the maximum number of times that this can be divided is the maximum number of distributions that the distribution unit can make, and the maximum number of packages that the drug packaging device can pack in one packaging operation.

[0005] The number of required doses based on the number of times a drug is taken per day and the total number of days it is taken, which is included in the dispensing data, may exceed the maximum number of doses that the drug packaging device can dispense in one dispensing operation. In this case, the required number of drugs is dispensed by dividing the required number of doses into multiple doses and performing the dispensing operation multiple times.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a medicine dispensing device and a medicine measuring device that can automatically perform a measuring operation when the required number of dispenses in the dispensing data exceeds the maximum possible number of dispenses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a drug dispensing device including a supply unit that supplies drugs, a dispensing unit that distributes the drugs supplied by the supply unit, and a control unit that controls the supply unit and the dispensing unit based on inputted prescription data. The supply unit has a measuring unit that measures and takes out the drugs from a drug container that contains the drugs. When the required number of drugs to be dispensed, which is included in the prescription data, is greater than the maximum number of drugs that can be dispensed in one dispensing operation by the dispensing unit, the control unit controls the measuring unit to measure out the drugs to be dispensed in multiple doses.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medicine measuring device including a measuring unit that measures and takes out medicine from a medicine container that contains the medicine, and a control unit that controls the measuring unit based on inputted prescription data. When the required number of medicines to be dispensed, which is included in the prescription data, is greater than the maximum number of medicines that can be dispensed in one dispensing operation by the dispensing unit of the medicine packaging machine, the control unit controls the measuring unit to measure out the medicine to be dispensed in multiple batches. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the medicine dispensing device and medicine measuring device according to the present disclosure, when the required number of dispensed medicines in the dispensing data exceeds the maximum possible number of dispensed medicines, a measuring operation can be performed automatically. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a dispensing system. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the medicine packaging device. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an intermediate container (outer drug container). [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a weighing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing the process flow of drug supply and packaging. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing a process flow for dividing the measuring and dispensing operations based on the required number of dispenses of the drug to be dispensed. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing packaging materials packaged in a packaging pattern according to "taking order." [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing packaging materials packaged in a "time of administration" packaging pattern. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing the process flow of dividing the measuring operation based on the total amount of the drug to be measured. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a dispensing system 100. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a medicine packing device 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the medicine packing device 1.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a dispensing system 100 includes a medicine packaging device 1 and a measuring device 80.

[0014] The medicine packaging device 1 supplies and packages medicine. In order to supply medicine, the medicine packaging device 1 can measure out one or more medicines. In this specification, measuring out medicine means measuring and taking out the required amount of medicine contained in a medicine container or the like. The medicine packaging device 1 measures out powder medicine (powdered, finely divided, or granular medicine). The medicine packaging device 1 may be capable of packaging tablets in addition to powder medicine.

[0015] The measuring device 80 is installed outside the medicine packing device 1. The measuring device 80 can measure out medicines instead of the medicine packing device 1. The medicine packing device 1 and the measuring device 80 are installed in, for example, a pharmacy or a hospital.

[0016] The medicine packing device 1 supplies and packs medicines based on prescription data input by an operator.

[0017] The medicine packaging device 1 can also only package medicines. In this case, a weighing device 80 or the like is used to measure the medicine. The weighing device 80 weighs the medicine that the operator has removed from a medicine bottle or the like. The medicine packaging device 1 can also only measure the medicine. In this case, the weighed medicine is output to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1 without being packaged. The medicine packaging device 1 stores the weighed medicine in a container so that the operator can remove the container.

[0018] In the following description, the medicine packaging device 1 packaging a medicine is referred to as a first operation, and the medicine packaging device 1 weighing a medicine without subsequently packaging it is referred to as a second operation. In the first operation, the medicine packaging device 1 may or may not weigh a medicine. The first operation also includes the case where the medicine packaging device 1 packages a medicine that has been weighed (measured) by a measuring device 80 or the like outside the medicine packaging device 1.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the drug packaging device 1 includes a first storage section 11, a second storage section 12, and a third storage section 13. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the drug packaging device 1 also includes a transport section 14, a drug container 15, a first information processing section 16, a measuring section 30, a second information processing section 19, a third information processing section 20, a display section 21, an operation section 22, a drug discharge section 32, a packaging section 33, a cleaning section 38, and a control section 50.

[0020] The first storage section 11 can store a plurality of intermediate containers 91 that do not contain medicine. The intermediate containers 91 are prepared to contain medicine to be supplied and packaged and to transport the medicine to each part of the medicine packaging device 1. The configuration of the intermediate containers 91 will be described later.

[0021] First storage section 11 can be configured, for example, to have a plurality of support stands for holding a plurality of intermediate containers 91 on standby, with each support stand supporting the bottom surface of each intermediate container 91. However, as long as first storage section 11 can substantially store intermediate containers 91, the configuration of first storage section 11 can be changed as desired.

[0022] The second storage section 12 can store a plurality of external drug containers 92 that do not contain drugs. The external drug container 92 contains drugs prepared by an operator outside the drug packaging device 1, and is used as a container introduced into the drug packaging device 1 for packaging the drugs. When the weighing device 80 or the like in FIG. 1 performs weighing instead of the drug packaging device 1, the external drug container 92 is prepared in the drug packaging device 1 to contain the drugs to be measured by the weighing device 80, and to introduce the measured drugs into the drug packaging device 1 in a state where they are contained therein. The configuration of the external drug container 92 will be described later.

[0023] The third storage unit 13 can store a plurality of output containers 93 that do not contain medicines. The output containers 93 are prepared in the medicine packaging device 1 to contain the weighed medicines and output the medicines from the medicine packaging device 1 to another medicine packaging device 95 when the medicine packaging device 1 does not pack the medicines after weighing.

[0024] The second storage unit 12 and the third storage unit 13 can be configured to support the bottom surface of the external drug container 92 or the output container 93, for example, in the same manner as the first storage unit 11.

[0025] The intermediate container 91 will be described. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the intermediate container 91 (external drug container 92). As shown in Fig. 4, the intermediate container 91 includes a storage section 91a, a discharge path section 91b, an opening / closing section 91c, an information display section (display section) 91d, and an information recording section (information recording member) 91e.

[0026] The storage section 91a is a portion where the intermediate container 91 substantially stores the medicine. The storage section 91a is formed in a hollow shape with an open upper portion.

[0027] The discharge path portion 91b is configured as a narrow passage that connects the internal space of the storage portion 91a to the external space thereof. The discharge path portion 91b is formed so as to communicate with an end portion of the storage portion 91a.

[0028] The opening / closing portion 91c is configured as a shutter-like movable member and is capable of opening and closing the connection portion between the storage portion 91a and the discharge path portion 91b.

[0029] The information display unit 91d is a display capable of displaying prescription data and information related to prescription. The information display unit 91d can be configured as, for example, a microcapsule type or an electrophoretic type electronic paper.

[0030] The information recording unit 91e has, for example, a non-volatile memory, and can record container-specific information. The container-specific information includes container identification information. The container-specific information may include information indicating the type of container (intermediate container 91, external drug container 92, output container 93). The information recording unit 91e can be configured, for example, as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

[0031] In the medicine packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of intermediate containers 91 of the same shape are prepared. Note that a plurality of types of intermediate containers 91 having different sizes of the storage portions 91a may be prepared. In this case, it is possible to respond to various situations in which measuring is required, such as measuring a variety of medicines.

[0032] The external drug container 92 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the external drug container 92 has substantially the same configuration as the intermediate container 91. The external drug container 92 includes a storage section 92a, a discharge path section 92b, an opening / closing section 92c, an information display section 92d, and an information recording section 92e.

[0033] The storage section 92a, discharge path section 92b, opening / closing section 92c, information display section 92d, and information recording section 92e have the same configuration as the storage section 91a, discharge path section 91b, opening / closing section 91c, information display section 91d, and information recording section 91e in the intermediate container 91, so their explanations are omitted.

[0034] In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of external drug containers 92 of the same shape are prepared. Note that a plurality of types of external drug containers 92 having different sizes of the storage portions 92a may be prepared. In this case, it is possible to respond to various situations in which external measurement is performed, such as the external measurement of various types of drugs.

[0035] The output container 93 will be described. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the output container 93. As shown in Fig. 5, the output container 93 corresponds to the intermediate container 91 from which the discharge path section 91b and the opening / closing section 91c are omitted. The output container 93 includes a storage section 93a, an information display section 93d, and an information recording section 93e.

[0036] The container section 93a, the information display section 93d, and the information recording section 93e have the same configurations as the container section 91a, the information display section 91d, and the information recording section 91e in the intermediate container 91, and therefore their explanation will be omitted.

[0037] In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of output containers 93 of the same shape are prepared. Note that a plurality of types of output containers 93 having different sizes of the storage portions 93a may be prepared. In this case, it is possible to respond to various situations in which measuring is required, such as measuring a variety of drugs.

[0038] The transport unit 14 is capable of transporting the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, and the output container 93. As shown in Fig. 2, the transport unit 14 includes a first transport unit 14a and a second transport unit 14b.

[0039] The operation of each of the first conveying unit 14a and the second conveying unit 14b is controlled by the control unit 50. The first conveying unit 14a and the second conveying unit 14b differ only in the range in which they convey, and are substantially the same in the configuration in which they convey, so the following description will be given taking the first conveying unit 14a as an example.

[0040] The first transport unit 14a includes a container holding unit for holding the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, or the output container 93. The container holding unit is configured to be movable along a path determined in the drug packaging device 1. The first transport unit 14a transports the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, or the output container 93 by moving the container holding unit while the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, or the output container 93 is held in the container holding unit.

[0041] In this manner, in this embodiment, the intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, and the discharge container 93 are configured to be transported by the common first transport unit 14a. Therefore, it is preferable that the portions attached to the first transport unit 14a (container holding unit) of the three types of containers have the same configuration, since this simplifies the configuration of the first transport unit 14a.

[0042] The intermediate container 91, the external drug container 92, and the discharge container 93 are similar to each other in terms of configuration and function. Therefore, the intermediate container 91 can also be used as the external drug container 92 used in the first operation. The intermediate container 91 can also be used as the discharge container 93 used in the second operation. The external drug container 92 can also be used as the intermediate container 91 used in the first operation. The external drug container 92 can also be used as the discharge container 93 used in the second operation. By reducing the types of containers, a simplified configuration can be achieved.

[0043] In Fig. 2, the path of the first conveyor 14a is indicated by a dashed line, and the path of the second conveyor 14b is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The first conveyor 14a and the second conveyor 14b are provided with separate drive sources and can operate independently. Therefore, the medicine packaging device 1 can simultaneously and in parallel convey the containers by the first conveyor 14a and the containers by the second conveyor 14b.

[0044] The transport unit 14 may have various configurations for holding the containers, for example, a container holding unit may be provided at the tip of an extendable or rotatable arm, and the position of the container holding unit may be changed by extending or rotating the arm. In addition, for example, the containers may be gripped with a chuck or held by suction.

[0045] The medicine containers 15 contain the medicine to be measured out. Each medicine container 15 has an opening for discharging and removing the medicine from the container.

[0046] In principle, different types of medicine are contained in each of the plurality of medicine containers 15. However, for example, in the case of a medicine that is used frequently, the same medicine may be contained in multiple medicine containers 15.

[0047] The medicine packaging device 1 can also handle excipients in addition to medicines. Any of the multiple medicine containers 15 may contain an excipient. When it is necessary to form a medicine (powder), the medicine packaging device 1 takes out the excipient from the medicine container 15. In this case, the excipient can be supplied in the same way as the medicine. Any of the multiple medicine containers 15 may contain a cleaning material. In this case, the cleaning material can be supplied in the same way as the medicine. The cleaning material is taken out of the medicine container 15 and packaged while contacting the medicine path of the medicine packaging device 1, thereby cleaning the medicine path that the cleaning material comes into contact with. The cleaning material may contain an excipient. The excipient and / or the cleaning material may be lactose.

[0048] An information recording unit 71 is provided on the outer surface of the medicine container 15. The information recording unit 71 can be, for example, an RFID tag. The information recording unit 71 can store information about the medicine contained in the medicine container 15 (contained medicine information). The contained medicine information includes the name of the medicine, the remaining amount of the medicine in the medicine container 15, the expiration date of the medicine, the date of the previous refill, the operating conditions of the measuring unit 30, and the like. The medicine packaging device 1 can obtain the contained medicine information by reading the information recording unit 71. Note that the information recording unit 71 may store only the identification information of the medicine container 15, and when the information recording unit 71 is read by the medicine packaging device 1, the above-mentioned contained medicine information may be called from the storage unit 61 described below.

[0049] The first information processing unit 16 can read the contained medicine information from the information recording unit 71. The first information processing unit 16 can be configured as, for example, an RFID reader / writer. The first information processing unit 16 is provided at an arbitrary position of the medicine packing device 1.

[0050] Measuring section 30 includes medicine removal section 17 and measuring section 18. Medicine removal section 17 removes medicine from medicine container 15. Measuring section 18 measures the medicine removed from medicine container 15.

[0051] The medicine removal unit 17 detachably holds a plurality of medicine containers 15. The medicine removal unit 17 moves the held medicine container 15 to a predetermined position, and at the predetermined position, removes the medicine contained in the medicine container 15 downward through an opening. The operation of the medicine removal unit 17 is controlled by the control unit 50 based on the contained medicine information read by the first information processing unit 16.

[0052] The weighing unit 18 includes a mounting table 18a and a detection unit 18b. The mounting table 18a is disposed below the above-mentioned predetermined position of the medicine removal unit 17. An intermediate container 91 or an output container 93 can be mounted on the mounting table 18a. The first transport unit 14a can transport the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 held in the container holding unit, and place it on the mounting table 18a or remove it from the mounting table 18a.

[0053] The detection unit 18b can weigh the medicine inside the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 when the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 is placed on the placement table 18a. In other words, the weighing unit 18 is configured as an electronic balance, and the placement table 18a corresponds to the weighing dish of the electronic balance. The detection unit 18b can be configured as, for example, an electromagnetic or load cell type load sensor.

[0054] The weighing unit 30 is controlled by the control unit 50 so as to weigh out the entire dose of each of the medicines indicated by the medicine information. The control unit 50 appropriately moves the medicine container 15 containing the medicines indicated by the medicine information to directly above the mounting table 18a using the medicine removal unit 17. Thereafter, the control unit 50 removes the medicines downward from the medicine container 15, stores the removed medicines in the intermediate container 91 or the discharge container 93 placed on the mounting table 18a, and weighs the contained medicines using the detection unit 18b.

[0055] Second information processing unit 19 acquires container-specific information stored in information recording unit 91e of intermediate container 91 or information recording unit 93e of output container 93, which are set in weighing unit 18. Second information processing unit 19 can also change the display content of information display unit 91d of intermediate container 91 or information display unit 93d of output container 93, which are set in weighing unit 18. Second information processing unit 19 is configured as, for example, an RFID reader / writer.

[0056] The third information processing unit 20 acquires the container specific information stored in the information recording unit 91e of the intermediate container 91 stored in the first storage unit 11. The acquisition of container specific information by the third information processing unit 20 is similarly performed for the external drug container 92 stored in the second storage unit 12 or the output container 93 stored in the third storage unit 13.

[0057] The third information processing unit 20 may change the display content for the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93. In this case, the second information processing unit 19 may change the display content for only the weighing result for the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 set in the weighing unit 18.

[0058] The display unit 21 is a device having a display screen capable of displaying various information related to the medicine packing device 1. As the display unit 21, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., can be considered. The display unit 21 is disposed at an appropriate position of the medicine packing device 1.

[0059] The operation unit 22 is operated by an operator to give various instructions to the medicine packing device 1. The operation unit 22 is disposed at an appropriate position (for example, near the display unit 21) of the medicine packing device 1. The operation unit 22 may be configured to include a keyboard, or the display unit 21 may be configured as a touch panel and the operation unit 22 may be incorporated into the display unit 21.

[0060] The intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 transported by the second transport unit 14b is set in the drug discharge unit 32. The drug discharge unit 32 can discharge the drug in the set intermediate container 91 or external drug container 92. It is also possible to manually set the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 in the drug discharge unit 32.

[0061] The medicine discharge section 32 includes a container attachment section 32a. The container attachment section 32a is configured to be capable of attaching an intermediate container 91 or an external medicine container 92. The intermediate container 91 or the external medicine container 92 is attached to the container attachment section 32a automatically or manually by the second transport section 14b.

[0062] The container attachment section 32a includes an actuator that moves the opening / closing sections 91c, 92c of the container from a closed state to an open state. Before the container attachment section 32a is attached, the connection between the storage sections 91a, 92a and the discharge path sections 91b, 92b is in a closed state. When the container is attached to the container attachment section 32a, the actuator moves the opening / closing sections 91c, 92c. This opens the connection between the storage sections 91a, 92a and the discharge path sections 91b, 92b, allowing the drug to be discharged from the container.

[0063] The medicine discharge section 32 includes a vibration device 32b. The vibration device 32b is configured to include a motor that generates vibrations, etc. The vibration device 32b is controlled by the control section 50. The vibration device 32b generates vibrations in response to a control signal from the control section 50. The vibrations generated by the vibration device 32b are transmitted to the intermediate container 91 or the external medicine container 92 attached to the container attachment section 32a.

[0064] The packaging unit 33 is configured to be able to package the medicine weighed out by the measuring unit 30. The packaging unit 33 is controlled by the control unit 50 so as to package the medicine weighed out by the measuring unit 30 into individual doses. The packaging unit 33 includes a distribution unit 34 and a packaging unit 35.

[0065] The distribution unit 34 distributes the medicine discharged from the container by the medicine discharge unit 32 into individual doses. The distribution unit 34 includes a distribution plate 34a and a feed unit 34b. The distribution plate 34a is configured to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The medicine discharge unit 32 discharges the medicine from the container and supplies the discharged medicine onto the rotating distribution plate 34a. The feed unit 34b drops the medicine supplied to the distribution plate 34a downward in predetermined amounts.

[0066] The supply unit of the embodiment is made up of the measuring unit 30 that takes out the medicine from the medicine container 15 and weighs it in the intermediate container 91, the transport unit 14 that transports the intermediate container 91, and the medicine discharge unit 32 that discharges the medicine from the intermediate container 91 and supplies it to the distribution tray 34a. The packaging unit 33 packages the medicine supplied by the supply unit. The distribution unit 34 distributes the medicine supplied by the supply unit.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 2, the drug dispensing device 1 includes a plurality of (specifically, two) distribution sections 34. Each distribution section 34 includes a plurality of (specifically, two) drug discharge sections 32. Drugs are supplied onto one distribution plate 34a from either one or both of the two drug discharge sections 32. From the two drug discharge sections 32, the same type of drug may be supplied to one distribution plate 34a, different types of drugs may be supplied to one distribution plate 34a, or a drug and an excipient may be supplied to one distribution plate 34a.

[0068] The packaging unit 35 packages the medicine distributed by the distribution unit 34 in the packaging material 40. The packaging unit 35 includes a hopper 35a and a heater 35b. The hopper 35a receives the medicine that is supplied from the container to the distribution tray 34a and drops from the distribution tray 34a. The hopper 35a forms a medicine path through which the medicine that drops from the distribution tray 34a toward the packaging material 40 passes. The packaging unit 35 repeats an operation of dropping the medicine distributed by the distribution unit 34 in doses into the packaging material 40 through the hopper 35a and an operation of heat-sealing the packaging material 40 by the heater 35b. By repeating these operations, the medicine is enclosed in the packaging material 40 in doses. The packaging material 40 containing the medicine is sent to a storage unit outside or inside the medicine packaging device 1.

[0069] The supply standby section 23 is provided between the measuring section 30 that measures the medicine and the medicine discharge section 32 that discharges the medicine. An intermediate container 91 that contains the medicine or an external medicine container 92 can be placed in the supply standby section 23 and kept on standby as necessary.

[0070] The cleaning unit 38 can clean the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92. The cleaning may be performed by any means, such as blowing compressed air onto the inner surface of the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92, suction, wiping with a brush, or the like. By performing cleaning, the drug remaining on the inner surface of the container is removed.

[0071] A cleaning standby section 37 is provided near the cleaning section 38. The intermediate container 91 or the external chemical container 92 before being cleaned can be placed in the cleaning standby section 37 to wait as necessary.

[0072] The supply standby section 23 and the cleaning standby section 37 can be configured, for example, as a plate-like member on which a container can be placed, but are not limited to this.

[0073] The control unit 50 can control each unit of the medicine packaging device 1 (specifically, the transport unit 14, the measuring unit 30, the medicine discharge unit 32, the packaging unit 33, etc.) based on the dispensing data input to the medicine packaging device 1. The control unit 50 may be configured as a part of the medicine packaging device 1, or may be configured as a part of a dispensing device control device that controls other dispensing devices such as other medicine packaging devices 95.

[0074] In detail, the control unit 50 is configured as a known computer, and includes a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk, and an input / output unit for communicating with the outside. Various programs and setting values ​​are stored in the storage device. The calculation device reads out the various programs from the storage device, and controls the operation of each part of the drug packaging device 1 based on the detection values ​​of the sensors provided in each part of the drug packaging device 1 and the various setting values ​​stored in the storage device. The control unit 50 makes the above-mentioned software and hardware work together to perform processing in the storage unit 61, the weighing selection unit 62, and the guidance unit 65 shown in FIG. 3, and outputs a command signal as a result of the processing, thereby operating the drug packaging device 1.

[0075] The storage unit 61 can store dispensing data input from the outside as described above. The storage unit 61 also stores the stored drug information of the drug container 15 read by the first information processing unit 16 as arrangement information of the drug container 15 arranged in the drug packaging device 1. The storage unit 61 can also store various setting values ​​necessary for operating the drug packaging device 1. For example, the storage unit 61 can store the maximum number of dispenses that the drug packaging device 1 can dispense in one dispensing operation by the dispensing unit 34 (hereinafter referred to as the maximum possible number of dispenses).

[0076] The storage unit 61 also stores various data such as drug master information, which is unique information about drugs. This master information includes, for example, drug code, drug name, JAN code (or RSS), medicine bottle (medicine container) code, classification (dosage form: powder, tablet, external medicine, etc.), specific gravity, drug type (ordinary medicine, poison, narcotic, powerful drug, antipsychotic, therapeutic drug, etc.), combination changes, precautions, normal dosage, information on prohibited simultaneous use, etc.

[0077] Furthermore, the storage unit 61 can store container-specific information (container identification number, container type, etc.) as container master information.

[0078] When at least one of the drugs included in the dispensing data cannot be packaged due to the capacity of the packaging unit 33, the measuring selection unit 62 allows the operator to select whether or not to execute a measuring operation by the measuring unit 30 for the drugs that can be measured by the measuring unit 30. There are various configurations for realizing the selection, but for example, the measuring selection unit 62 may display options (for example, a button for executing / not executing) on ​​the display unit 21 and allow the operator to select using the operation unit 22.

[0079] The guidance unit 65 can provide guidance (instructions) to the operator. For example, when at least one of the medicines included in the dispensing data cannot be packaged due to the capacity of the packaging unit 33, the guidance unit 65 can inform the operator that the medicines weighed out by the weighing unit 30 should be packaged using another medicine packaging device 95. In addition, when the amount of medicine supplied from the medicine container 15 to the intermediate container 91 is insufficient for the total amount of dose based on the dispensing data, the guidance unit 65 can inform the operator that an external weighing response is possible as a response to enable the packaging operation by the packaging unit 33 to be performed.

[0080] The external measurement response is a response in which the operator prepares an external drug container 92 that contains a predetermined amount of drug (total dose) outside the drug packaging device 1, and introduces the external drug container 92 into the drug packaging device 1. At this time, the operator can be notified that a refill response or a drug container introduction response is possible. The refill response is a response in which the drug container 15 is refilled with drugs. The drug container introduction response is a response in which the drug container 15 containing the required amount of drug is introduced into the drug packaging device 1.

[0081] There are various methods for the guidance unit 65 to provide guidance to the operator, and for example, it is possible to display an appropriate message on the display unit 21. The guidance may be provided by voice, a notification lamp, or the like, for example.

[0082] Next, various positions set in the medicine packing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Any of these positions can be the source and destination of containers transferred by the transfer unit 14.

[0083] The first standby position P1 is a position where an intermediate container 91 that does not contain a medicine can wait in the first storage section 11. The first standby position P1 can also be said to be a storage position where a plurality of intermediate containers 91 are stored in the first storage section 11.

[0084] The second standby position P2 is a position where the external drug container 92 that does not contain a drug can wait in the second storage section 12. The second standby position P2 can also be said to be a storage position where a plurality of external drug containers 92 are stored in the second storage section 12.

[0085] The third standby position P3 is a position where an output container 93 that does not contain a drug can wait in the third storage section 13. The third standby position P3 can also be said to be a storage position where a plurality of output containers 93 are stored in the third storage section 13.

[0086] The measuring position P4 is a position where the measuring section 18 measures the medicine contained in the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93.

[0087] The first removal position P5 is a position for removing the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1. For example, when the medicine is measured from the medicine container 15 to the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 in the measuring unit 30, and the amount of medicine contained in the medicine container 15 is insufficient, and the amount of medicine removed (measured amount) is insufficient for the total amount of medicine, which is the target amount, the first removal position P5 is used to remove the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93 that contains the amount of medicine that does not meet the target amount to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1. This removal is performed via the first removal unit 25 provided in the medicine packaging device 1.

[0088] In this embodiment, the first removal position P5 is set at a position different from the weighing position P4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the weighing position P4 may be set to double as the first removal position P5.

[0089] The second removal position P6 is a position for removing the external drug container 92 before containing a drug to the outside of the drug packaging device 1 when the drug is measured using the weighing device 80 instead of the drug packaging device 1. This removal is performed via the second removal section 26 provided in the drug packaging device 1. The second removal position P6 may also serve as a position (introduction position) for setting the external drug container 92 or intermediate container 91 containing the drug measured by the weighing device 80 for introduction into the drug packaging device 1.

[0090] The third removal position P7 is a position for removing the discharge container 93 to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1. For example, when the medicine packaging device 1 measures medicine but does not package it, the third removal position P7 is used to remove the discharge container 93 containing the medicine measured by the measuring unit 30 to the outside of the medicine packaging device 1. This removal is performed via the third removal unit 27 provided in the medicine packaging device 1.

[0091] The supply standby position P8 is a position where the intermediate container 91 is kept on standby after the weighing of the medicine is completed by the weighing unit 30 and before the medicine is discharged from the container in the packing unit 33 and supplied to the distribution tray 34a. The supply standby position P8 is also a position (introduction position) where the external medicine container 92 or the intermediate container 91 containing the medicine weighed by the weighing device 80 is set for introduction into the medicine packing device 1. The supply standby position P8 is set in the above-mentioned supply standby unit 23. The supply standby position P8 may also serve as the first removal position P5, the second removal position P6, or the third removal position P7.

[0092] The supply position P9 is the position of the intermediate container 91 or the external drug container 92 when drugs are supplied to the distribution tray 34a in the drug discharge section 32. The second transport section 14b transports the intermediate container 91 from the supply standby position P8 to the supply position P9. When an external drug container 92 or an intermediate container 91 containing drugs is introduced into the drug packaging device 1 from outside the drug packaging device 1, the introduction position of the container may be set to the supply position P9 and the operator may directly set the container in the drug discharge section 32. As described above, the drug packaging device 1 has a plurality of (specifically, four) drug discharge sections 32, and the supply position P9 is assigned to the four drug discharge sections 32.

[0093] The cleaning standby position P10 is a position where the intermediate container 91 or the external chemical container 92 waits for cleaning in the cleaning unit 38. The cleaning standby position P10 is set in the cleaning standby unit 37 described above.

[0094] The cleaning position P11 is a position where the intermediate container 91 or the external medicine container 92 is cleaned by the cleaning unit .

[0095] In this embodiment, the supply standby position P8 and the cleaning standby position P10 function as relay points for the transport of the container by the transport unit 14.

[0096] Specifically, the first transport unit 14a is configured to transport containers between the first standby position P1, the second standby position P2, the third standby position P3, the weighing position P4, the first take-out position P5, the second take-out position P6, the third take-out position P7, the supply standby position P8, and the cleaning standby position P10. On the other hand, the second transport unit 14b is configured to transport containers between the supply standby position P8, the supply position P9, and the cleaning standby position P10.

[0097] Therefore, after the control unit 50 has transported the intermediate containers 91, etc. to the supply standby position P8 by the first transport unit 14a, the transported intermediate containers 91, etc. can be transported from the supply standby position P8 by the second transport unit 14b at an appropriate timing. Also, after the second transport unit 14b has transported the intermediate containers 91, etc. to the cleaning standby position P10, the transported intermediate containers 91, etc. can be transported from the cleaning standby position P10 by the first transport unit 14a at an appropriate timing.

[0098] In this embodiment, the external drug container 92 stored in the second storage unit 12 is transported to the second removal position P6 by the first transport unit 14a so that it can be removed to the outside of the drug packaging device 1. However, the external drug container 92 stored in the second storage unit 12 may be removed by an operator. In this case, the second storage unit 12 may be provided outside the drug packaging device 1.

[0099] Next, the weighing device 80 will be described. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the weighing device 80. As shown in Fig. 6, the weighing device 80 includes a control unit 81, a weighing unit 82, an information processing unit 83, and a display unit 84. The weighing unit 82, the information processing unit 83, and the display unit 84 are each electrically connected to the control unit 81. The weighing device 80 can weigh the drug contained in the external drug container 92. When the intermediate container 91 is used for external weighing, the weighing device 80 weighs the drug contained in the intermediate container 91.

[0100] The control unit 81 is capable of communicating with the control unit 50 of the medicine packaging device 1 and can receive dispensing data stored in the memory unit 61 of the medicine packaging device 1. Upon completion of measurement (such as measuring the medicine that is insufficient for the target amount), the measuring device 80 transmits the measurement result to the medicine packaging device 1.

[0101] The weighing unit 82 has substantially the same configuration as the weighing unit 18 of the medicine packaging device 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The weighing device 80 weighs the medicine that the operator has taken out from an appropriate medicine bottle or the like onto a weighing dish or the like. Note that the weighing device 80 may also weigh the medicine together with the external medicine container 92 while the medicine is contained in the external medicine container 92.

[0102] The information processing unit 83 is disposed near the weighing unit 82. The information processing unit 83 has a barcode reader and an RFID reader / writer. The barcode reader can read barcodes provided on the medicine bottles and the like. The RFID reader / writer can read the contents of the information recording unit 92e of the external medicine container 92.

[0103] The information processing unit 83 performs a process of reading information stored in the barcode of the medicine bottle or the like and the information recording unit 92e of the external medicine container 92. Specifically, the information processing unit 83 reads medicine-specific information of the medicine bottle or the like from the barcode provided on the medicine bottle or the like, and the control unit 81 identifies the medicine contained in the medicine bottle or the like. The information processing unit 83 also reads container-specific information stored in the information recording unit 92e of the external medicine container 92. The weighing device 80 acquires dispensing data corresponding to the read container-specific information from the control unit 50 of the medicine packaging device 1. At that time, the weighing device 80 also acquires information on the medicine to be metered (including the target amount of the medicine).

[0104] Then, the control unit 81 identifies which of the drugs indicated by the drug information included in the dispensing data acquired from the control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1 corresponds to the drug identified based on the drug identification information. When the control unit 81 determines that the drug identified based on the drug identification information matches any of the drugs indicated by the drug information included in the dispensing data, it selects the drug indicated by the matching drug information as the drug to be weighed. After completing the weighing of the drug selected as the drug to be weighed, the weighing device 80 transmits the weighing result including the measured amount of the drug together with the dispensing data acquired from the control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1 via the control unit 81 to the control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1. The control unit 50 of the drug packaging device 1 receives the weighing result and updates the dispensing data stored in the storage unit 61.

[0105] The information processing unit 83 can change the display content of the information display unit 92d of the external drug container 92. When the weighing of the drug by the weighing device 80 is completed, the information processing unit 83 causes the information display unit 92d of the external drug container 92 to display the measured amount (weighing result). In addition, as information regarding dispensing, the information display unit 92d may display a message indicating that an amount of drug equivalent to a target amount is contained and that the drug is ready to be introduced into the drug packaging device 1.

[0106] The display unit 84 is a device having a display screen capable of displaying characters and the like. The display unit 84 is disposed at an appropriate position of the weighing device 80. The display unit 84 can be configured, for example, as a display with a touch panel. For example, the name of the drug and the target amount and measured amount of the drug can be displayed on the display unit 84. In addition, the display unit 84 can display the result of the determination made by the control unit 81 as to whether or not the drug in the medicine bottle or the like matches the drug to be measured. This makes it possible to confirm that the drug in the medicine bottle or the like is the required drug based on the dispensing data.

[0107] Next, a process performed using the medicine packing device 1 will be described. As a preparation for a process performed using the medicine packing device 1, medicine information is registered in the medicine packing device 1. Specifically, for medicines to be packed by the medicine packing device 1, information about the medicine is stored in the memory unit 61 for each type of medicine. The display unit 50 may display a registration screen for the medicine information on the display unit 21, and the operator may input the medicine information to this registration screen using the operation unit 22. Alternatively, the medicine information may be input to the medicine packing device 1 by communication from an external device. The memory unit 61 stores the maximum amount of medicine that can be stored in the intermediate container 91 (hereinafter referred to as the maximum possible storage amount) for each type of medicine.

[0108] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the drug supply and packaging process. First, dispensing data is input to the drug packaging device 1 (step S101). The control unit 50 displays an input screen for dispensing data on the display unit 21. The dispensing data includes, for example, one or more names of drugs to be taken, dosage form (powder / tablet / capsule / liquid / external medicine), method of taking, dosage, etc. The method of taking refers to the number of times a day to take the drug, the time of taking the drug, and the number of days to take the drug, and the dosage refers to the total amount of the drug taken (e.g., weight), the amount taken in one day (weight), the amount taken in one dose (weight), etc. The dispensing data also includes the user, the target amount, the measurement result (the amount measured or the amount that is insufficient or surplus to the target amount), and identification information (dispensing data number, etc.) that identifies each dispensing data.

[0109] The operator inputs the dispensing data to this input screen using the operation unit 22. The dispensing data input by the operator is stored in the storage unit 61 of the control unit 50. In addition to the configuration in which the operator manually inputs the dispensing data, the dispensing data may be input to the medicine packing device 1 via communication from an information processing device such as an external dispensing equipment control device.

[0110] When input of the prescription data is completed, a packaging start command is issued (step S102). The operator inputs the packaging start command to the control unit 50 using the operation unit 22. On the other hand, if the input prescription data specifies that only the drug should be measured, the operator inputs a measuring start command to the control unit 50 using the operation unit 22.

[0111] When a packaging start command is input, a determination is made as to whether or not the specified amount of medicine needs to be divided into multiple dispensing operations (step S103). This determination is made based on the number of doses required for the medicine to be distributed, which is included in the dispensing data, to be distributed by the dispensing unit 34. Next, a determination is made as to whether or not the specified amount of medicine needs to be measured out in multiple doses (step S104). This determination is made based on the total amount of medicine to be measured out, which is included in the dispensing data. Details of these determinations will be described later.

[0112] Next, the medicine is weighed out from the medicine container 15 (step S105). In the process of step S105, if the necessary medicine container 15 has not been introduced into the medicine packing device 1, the above-mentioned medicine container introduction procedure can be performed to continue the weighing. Alternatively, instead of the medicine container introduction procedure, external weighing can be performed.

[0113] Next, the medicine is supplied from the container that contains the weighed medicine to the distribution tray 34a (step S106), and the medicine is packaged in the packaging unit (step S107). In the process of step S107, the medicine is distributed in the distribution unit 34 and packaged in the packaging unit 35.

[0114] After the medicines are packaged in step S107, it is determined whether or not packaging of all the medicines has been completed (step S108). In cases where the dispensing operation needs to be performed in multiple steps, when the medicines dispensed in the first dispensing operation have been packaged, the medicines to be dispensed in the second and subsequent dispensing operations have not yet been packaged, and packaging of all the medicines to be dispensed has not been completed (NO in step S108). In this case, the measuring in step S105, the supply in step S106, and the packaging in step S107 are performed again.

[0115] In this case, the second weighing may be started before the first packaging is completed. If one of the multiple distribution trays 34a has not been used in the first distribution operation and is available, the second supply operation may be performed on the available distribution tray 34a before the first packaging is completed.

[0116] When it is determined that all the medicines have been packaged (YES in step S108), the containers and the medicine path (hopper 35a) after the medicines have been discharged are cleaned (step S109), and the process ends (END).

[0117] The process of dividing the dispensing operation into a plurality of times will be described in detail below. Fig. 8 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the process of dividing the measuring and dispensing operation into a plurality of times based on the required number of dispenses of the medicine to be dispensed.

[0118] Here, the terms used in this specification are defined. The "required number of doses to be distributed" refers to the required number to be distributed by the distribution unit 34 based on the number of packets required to package the entire dose of the drug contained in the dispensing data input into the drug packaging device 1.

[0119] "Number of times of dosing per day" refers to the number of times a patient or other person who takes a drug packaged by the drug packaging device 1 takes the drug per day. For example, if a person takes a drug after meals in the morning and evening, the number of times of dosing per day is 2. If a person takes a drug with three meals and before going to bed, the number of times of dosing per day is 4.

[0120] "Total number of days of taking" refers to the total number of days that the user takes the drug. Therefore, the above required number of distributions is the product of the number of times of taking the drug per day and the total number of days of taking the drug.

[0121] As described above, the "maximum possible number of distributions" refers to the maximum number of distributions that the medicine packaging device 1 can distribute in one distribution operation by the distribution unit 34. The maximum possible number of distributions is information specific to the medicine packaging device 1, which is determined as the capacity of the distribution unit 34. In the distribution unit 34, the feed unit 34b drops the medicine supplied to the distribution tray 34a into the packaging unit 35 (hopper 35a) below, one dose at a time. The feed unit 34b scrapes off the medicine within a predetermined angle obtained by dividing the angle of 360° for one rotation of the rotating distribution tray 34a from the distribution tray 34a and drops it into the hopper 35a, so that the medicine is distributed into one dose at a time. The maximum possible number of distributions is the maximum number of times that the medicine supplied to the distribution tray 34a can be divided to a degree that sufficiently reduces the variation in the amount of medicine fed from the distribution tray 34a to the hopper 35a as one dose at a time.

[0122] The term "amount per package" refers to the weight of a drug contained in a sachet, for a certain drug included in the prescription data.

[0123] "Daily dose" refers to the weight of a drug that is packaged per day for a certain drug included in the dispensing data. Therefore, the daily dose is the product of the amount per package and the number of times the drug is taken per day.

[0124] "Total amount" refers to the total weight of a package of a drug included in the dispensing data. Therefore, the total amount is the product of the daily amount and the total number of days to take the drug.

[0125] The "maximum possible capacity" refers to the maximum amount of medicine that can be accommodated in a container, which is determined as the capacity of the container that accommodates the medicine (e.g., intermediate container 91 or output container 93). In other words, the maximum possible capacity refers to the maximum weight of medicine that can be measured in one measuring operation.

[0126] As shown in Fig. 8, first, a determination is made as to whether the required number of distributions is greater than the maximum possible number of distributions (first determination) (step S201). The maximum possible number of distributions is stored in advance in the storage unit 61. The control unit 50 refers to or calculates the required number of distributions based on the input dispensing data. The control unit 50 compares the required number of distributions with the maximum possible number of distributions read from the storage unit 61, and determines whether the required number of distributions is greater than the maximum possible number of distributions.

[0127] If it is determined that the required number of dispenses is greater than the maximum possible number of dispenses (YES in step S201), the required number of medicines cannot be dispensed in one dispensing operation, and the dispensing operation is therefore performed in multiple steps. For this reason, the control unit 50 divides the dispensing data and creates divided dispensing data. As the dispensing data is divided, the drug measuring operation by the measuring unit 30, the drug supply operation to the dispensing tray 34a, the drug dispensing operation by the dispensing unit 34, and the drug packaging operation by the packaging unit 35 (steps S105 to S107) are also performed in multiple steps.

[0128] In this case, next, a packing pattern is determined (step S202). The packing pattern indicates the order in which the medicines included in the dispensing data are packaged by the packing unit 33 (distributed by the distribution unit 34 and packaged by the packaging unit 35). Based on the input dispensing data, the control unit 50 determines whether the order in which the medicines are packaged by the packing unit 33 is specified as "the order of taking" or "the order of the time of taking".

[0129] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a packaging material 40 packaged in a packaging pattern of "taking order". Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 described later show an example in which agents A, B, and C are packaged as agents to be taken by the patient in the morning, and agents A and B are packaged as agents to be taken by the patient in the evening.

[0130] Package 40A shown in Fig. 9 includes sachets containing first to fourth packets of medicine. The first packet contains medicine to be taken in the morning of the first day. The second packet contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the first day. The third packet contains medicine to be taken in the morning of the second day. The fourth packet contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the second day.

[0131] Package 40B includes sachets containing medicines in the fifth to eighth packets. The fifth packet (first packet as package 40B) contains medicine to be taken on the morning of the third day. The sixth packet contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the third day. The seventh packet contains medicine to be taken on the morning of the fourth day. The eighth packet contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the fourth day.

[0132] The packages 40A, 40B may be integrated or separate. When integrated, the packages 40A, 40B may be continuous with each other without forming a blank between the packages 40A, 40B that does not contain a medicine. Alternatively, when integrated, the packages 40A, 40B may be continuous with each other without forming a blank between the packages 40A, 40B that does not contain a medicine.

[0133] In this way, in the "taking order" packaging pattern, the drugs are packaged in the order that the user takes them. At this time, the drugs are packaged so that the drugs to be taken on a given day are not contained across multiple packages. The first package bag in the package contains the drug to be taken at the first time of taking in a day. The last package bag in the package contains the drug to be taken at the last time of taking in a day.

[0134] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the last sachet in package 40A contains medicine to be taken in the evening of day 2, which is the last time of administration on day 2. The first sachet in package 40B contains medicine to be taken in the morning of day 3, which is the first time of administration on day 3. Medicine to be taken at all times of administration on day 2 is included in package 40A. Medicine to be taken at all times of administration on day 3 is included in package 40B. Medicine to be taken on a given day is not packaged across both packages 40A and 40B. The packaging pattern is set so that all medicine to be taken on a given day is included in each of packages 40A and 40B.

[0135] In this embodiment, the packages 40A, 40B are packaged in the packaging unit 33 so that they are continuous. In this way, even if the prescription data is divided, the packages 40A, 40B packaged based on one prescription data are continuous and integrated, so that all the packaging bags containing the medicines to be taken can be arranged in the "order of taking".

[0136] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a packaging material packaged in a packaging pattern in the "order of administration time". Package 40C shown in FIG. 10 includes sachets containing medicines for the first to fourth packets. The first sachets contain medicines to be taken on the morning of the first day. The second sachets contain medicines to be taken on the morning of the second day. The third sachets contain medicines to be taken on the morning of the third day. The fourth sachets contain medicines to be taken on the morning of the fourth day. Package 40C includes only sachets containing medicines for one administration time, specifically, in the morning.

[0137] Package 40D shown in FIG. 10 includes sachets containing medicines for the fifth to eighth packets. The fifth packet (first packet as package 40D) contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the first day. The second packet contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the second day. The third packet contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the third day. The fourth packet contains medicine to be taken in the evening of the fourth day. Package 40C includes only sachets containing medicines to be taken at one time point, specifically in the evening.

[0138] The packages 40C, 40D may be integrated or separate. When integrated, the packages 40C, 40D may be continuous with each other without forming an empty packet containing no medicine between the packages 40C, 40D. Alternatively, when integrated, the packages 40C, 40D may be continuous with each other without forming an empty packet containing no medicine between the packages 40C, 40D.

[0139] In this way, in the "by time of administration" packaging pattern, the medicines are packaged in the order of the times they are to be taken. At this time, the medicines are packaged in such a way that medicines to be taken at different times are not packaged together in one package.

[0140] In this embodiment, the packages 40C, 40D are packaged in the packaging unit 33 so that they are continuous. In this way, even if the prescription data is divided, the packages 40C, 40D packaged based on one prescription data are continuous as a single unit, so that all the packaging bags containing the medicines to be taken can be arranged in the "order of time of taking".

[0141] 8, when it is determined in step S202 that the packaging pattern is "taking order", the maximum possible number of days is calculated (step S203). The maximum possible number of days calculated here is a value that indicates how many days the medicine that can be dispensed in one dispensing operation corresponds to out of the number of days the user takes the medicine.

[0142] The control unit 50 refers to the number of times of daily dosing based on the inputted dispensing data. The control unit 50 reads out the maximum possible number of distributions from the storage unit 61. The control unit 50 performs a process of rounding down the decimal point of the quotient obtained by dividing the maximum possible number of distributions by the number of times of daily dosing, and the value calculated by this process is the maximum possible number of days. The number of times of daily dosing is calculated based on the number of times of daily dosing, which indicates the number of times the drug is taken per day.

[0143] Next, the number of divisions of the prescription data is calculated (step S204). The number of divisions calculated here is a value that indicates how many times the dispensing operation is divided to complete the distribution of the required number of medicines, that is, how many times the dispensing operation is performed to complete the distribution of the required number of medicines in a setting in which the medicines are packaged so that the medicines to be taken on a certain day are not contained across multiple packages.

[0144] The control unit 50 divides the required number of distributions by the product of the maximum possible number of days and the number of times the dosage is taken per day, and rounds up the calculated quotient to an integer, and the value calculated by this process becomes the number of divisions.

[0145] Next, the number of days is calculated (step S205). The number of days calculated here is a value that indicates how many days the medicine distributed in a certain divided dispensing operation corresponds to out of the number of days the recipient takes the medicine.

[0146] The control unit 50 performs a process of dividing the total number of days for taking the drug by the number of divisions, and rounds up the quotient obtained by this process to the nearest whole number, and sets the value calculated by this process as the number of days for the first division. The number of drugs to be distributed in the first division distribution operation is calculated by multiplying the number of days for the first division by the number of times the drug is taken per day.

[0147] Next, a target weight value is calculated (step S206). The target weight value calculated here is a target value of the weight of the medicine to be dispensed in a certain divided dispensing operation, and is a target value of the weight of the medicine to be weighed for that dispensing operation.

[0148] The control unit 50 multiplies the number of days for the first division calculated in step S205 by the daily amount (or the product of the amount of one package and the number of times taken per day) (or multiplies the number of drugs distributed in the distribution process for the first division by the amount of one package), and sets the value calculated by this process as the target amount for the first division. In this way, the control unit 50 creates dispensing division data for the first division.

[0149] For the second and subsequent distribution operations, the process of calculating the number of days in step S205 and the process of calculating the target weight value in step S206 are repeated.

[0150] For the dispensing operation of the second installment, the control unit 50 divides the value obtained by subtracting the number of days of the first installment from the total number of days of administration by the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of installments calculated in step S204, rounding up the calculated quotient to an integer, and sets the value calculated by this process as the number of days of the second installment. The number of drugs to be distributed in the dispensing process of the second installment is calculated by multiplying the number of days of the second installment by the number of times of administration per day. The control unit 50 multiplies the number of days of the second installment by the daily amount, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target amount value of the second installment. In this way, the control unit 50 creates dispensing division data for the second installment.

[0151] For the nth (n is an integer of 2 or more) division dispensing operation, the control unit 50 subtracts the sum of the number of days for the first division to the number of days for the (n-1)th division from the total number of days for taking the medicine, divides the result by the value obtained by subtracting (n-1) from the number of divisions calculated in step S204, and rounds up the calculated quotient to an integer, and sets the value calculated by this process as the number of days for the nth division. The number of drugs dispensed in the nth division dispensing process is calculated by multiplying the number of days for the nth division by the number of times taken per day. The control unit 50 multiplies the number of days for the nth division by the daily amount, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target amount for the nth division. In this way, the control unit 50 creates the dispensing division data for the nth division.

[0152] In this way, by dividing the dispensing data so that the target weight values ​​of the 1st to nth divisions are uniform, the variation in the amount of medicine measured in the measuring operation in each dispensing divided data is reduced. The control unit 50 calculates the target weight value for each time so that the amount of medicine measured in each measuring operation is uniform.

[0153] Then, the process ends (END). In this way, based on the number of times the dispensing data is divided, the number of times the dispensing operation is divided, the number of times the measuring operation is divided, and the target measurement value of the medicine to be measured in each measuring operation for each dispensing operation are obtained. In the process of step S105 shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 according to the result of the calculation of the target measurement value, and measures the target measurement value of the medicine from the medicine container 15 in each measuring operation.

[0154] In this way, the medicines are packaged so that the medicines to be taken on a certain day are not contained across multiple packages, which makes it easier to handle the print data for the packages created for each divided prescription data. In other words, since the print data for the time of taking medicine on a day does not span multiple divided prescription data, the print data can be data for each time of taking medicine.

[0155] If it is determined in step S202 that the packaging pattern is "by time of administration", first, the number of times of division for each time of administration of the dispensing data is calculated (step S207). The number of times of division for each time of administration calculated here is a value that indicates how many times the distribution operation should be performed to complete the distribution of the medicine for all days of administration for a medicine to be taken at a certain time of administration (for example, in the morning). In other words, it is a value that indicates how many times the distribution operation should be performed to complete the distribution of the required number of medicines to be distributed in a setting in which the medicine is packaged so that medicines to be taken at different times of administration are not contained together in one package.

[0156] The control unit 50 refers to the total number of days of administration based on the input dispensing data. The control unit 50 reads the maximum possible number of distributions from the storage unit 61. The control unit 50 performs a process of rounding up the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of days of administration by the maximum possible number of distributions, and the value calculated by this process is set as the number of divisions per administration time point. The number of divisions per administration time point is calculated based on the total number of days of administration.

[0157] Next, the number of days is calculated (step S208). The number of days calculated here is a value that indicates how many days the drug dispensed in a certain divided dispensing operation corresponds to at a certain time point of administration, out of the number of days the drug is to be taken by the user.

[0158] The control unit 50 divides the total number of days for which the drug is taken by the number of divisions for each time point of taking the drug, and rounds up the quotient obtained by dividing the quotient to an integer, and the value calculated by this process becomes the number of days for the first division at the first time point of taking the drug.

[0159] Next, a target weight value is calculated (step S209). The target weight value calculated here is a target value of the weight of the medicine to be dispensed in a certain divided dispensing operation, and is a target value of the weight of the medicine to be weighed for that dispensing operation.

[0160] The control unit 50 multiplies the number of days for the first division calculated in step S208 by the amount of one package, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target weight for the first division at the time of the first administration. In this manner, the control unit 50 creates dispensing division data for the first division at the time of the first administration.

[0161] For the dispensing operation of the second and subsequent portions at the time of the first dose, the process of calculating the number of portions in step S208 and the process of calculating the target weight in step S209 are repeated.

[0162] For the dispensing operation of the second installment at the first dosing time, the control unit 50 subtracts the number of days for the first installment from the total number of dosing days, divides the result by subtracting 1 from the number of installments per dosing time calculated in step S207, and rounds up the calculated quotient to the nearest whole number, and sets the value calculated by this process as the number of days for the second installment. The control unit 50 multiplies the number of days for the second installment by the amount of one package, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target weight value for the second installment. In this way, the control unit 50 creates dispensing division data for the second installment at the first dosing time.

[0163] For the dispensing operation of the nth division (n is an integer of 2 or more) at the first dosing time, the control unit 50 subtracts the sum of the number of days for the first division to the number of days for the (n-1)th division from the total number of days for dosing, divides the result by the value obtained by subtracting (n-1) from the number of divisions for each dosing time calculated in step S207, and rounds up the calculated quotient to the nearest whole number, and sets the value calculated by this process as the number of days for the nth division. The control unit 50 multiplies the number of days for the nth division by the amount of one package, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target weight value for the nth division. In this way, the control unit 50 creates dispensing division data for the nth division at the first dosing time.

[0164] For the dispensing operation after the second dosing time, the process of calculating the number of divisions for each dosing time in step S207, the process of calculating the number of distributions in step S208, and the process of calculating the target weight in step S209 are repeated. In this manner, the control unit 50 creates each dispensing division data for the second dosing time.

[0165] In this way, the target weight values ​​for the 1st to nth divisions at each time of administration are calculated, thereby reducing the variation in the amount of medicine measured in the measuring operation for each dispensing division data. The control unit 50 calculates the target weight value for each time so as to equalize the amount of medicine measured in each measuring operation.

[0166] Then, the process ends (END). In this way, based on the number of times the dispensing data is divided for each dosing time, the number of times the dispensing operation is performed separately for each dosing time, the number of times the measuring operation is performed separately for each dosing time, and the target measured value of the medicine to be measured in each measuring operation for each dispensing operation are obtained. In the process of step S105 shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 according to the result of the calculation of the target measured value, and measures the target measured value of the medicine from the medicine container 15 in each measuring operation.

[0167] In this way, the medicines are packaged so that medicines to be taken at different times are not packed together in one package, which makes it easier to handle the print data for the package created for each prescription data. In other words, since print data for different times is not packed together into one prescription data, the print data can be data for each time of taking the medicine.

[0168] In the judgment in step S201, if the required number of dispensed drugs is equal to or less than the maximum possible number of dispensed drugs (NO in step S201), the required number of dispensed drugs can be dispensed in one dispensing operation, and there is no need to perform the measuring and dispensing operations separately. Therefore, the process of creating the dispensing division data is not performed, and the process ends (END).

[0169] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing the flow of a process in which the measuring operation is performed in a plurality of steps based on the total amount of the drug to be measured.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 11, first, a judgment (second judgment) is made as to whether or not the total amount of each type of medicine included in the dispensing data is greater than the maximum possible amount (step S301). This judgment is made for each type of medicine included in the dispensing data. When dispensing division data is created, a judgment is made as to whether or not the total amount of medicine included in each dispensing division data is greater than the maximum possible amount. The maximum possible amount is stored in advance in the storage unit 61. The maximum possible amount stored in the information recording unit 91e of the intermediate container 91 or the information recording unit 93e of the output container 93 may be acquired by the third information processing unit 20. The control unit 50 acquires the maximum possible amount by reading it from the storage unit 61 or acquiring it by the third information processing unit 20. The control unit 50 refers to or calculates the total amount for each type of medicine based on the input dispensing data. The control unit 50 compares the total amount with the maximum possible amount to judge whether or not the total amount is greater than the maximum possible amount.

[0171] If it is determined that the total amount is greater than the maximum possible storage amount (YES in step S301), the total amount of the medicine cannot be measured in one measuring operation, and so the measuring operation is performed in multiple steps. Therefore, the control unit 50 divides the medicine information of the medicine whose total amount is determined to be greater than the maximum possible storage amount, and creates measuring division data. When the measured medicine is packaged in the packaging unit 33, the medicine measured by the multiple measuring operations is supplied collectively to the distribution unit 34, and is packaged by the distribution operation by the distribution unit 34 and the packaging operation by the packaging unit 35.

[0172] In this case, the division number is then calculated (step S302). The division number calculated here is a value that indicates how many times the measuring operation is to be performed in order to complete measuring the entire amount of the medicine, that is, how many measuring operations are required to complete measuring the entire amount of the medicine.

[0173] The control unit 50 divides the total amount by the maximum possible storage value, rounds up the quotient, and sets the value calculated by this process as the number of divisions.

[0174] Next, a target weight value is calculated (step S303). The target weight value calculated here is a target value for the weight of the medicine to be measured out from the medicine container 15 in a certain divided measuring operation.

[0175] The control unit 50 performs a process of dividing the total amount by the number of divisions calculated in step S302, rounding up the quotient obtained, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target weighing value for the weighing operation of the first division. In this way, the control unit 50 creates weighing division data for the first division.

[0176] For the weighing operations from the second division onwards, the process of calculating the target weight value in step S303 is repeated.

[0177] For the weighing operation of the second division, the control unit 50 divides the value obtained by subtracting the target weight value of the first division from the total amount by the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of divisions calculated in step S302, rounds up the calculated quotient to an integer, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target weight value of the second division. In this way, the control unit 50 creates weighing division data for the second division.

[0178] For the weighing operation of the nth division (n is an integer of 2 or more), the control unit 50 subtracts from the total amount the sum of the target weight values ​​from the 1st division to the (n-1)th division, divides the result by the value obtained by subtracting (n-1) from the number of divisions calculated in step S302, and rounds up the calculated quotient to an integer, and sets the value calculated by this process as the target weight value for the nth division. In this way, the control unit 50 creates weighing and division data for the nth division.

[0179] In this way, by dividing the medicine information so that the target weight values ​​of the 1st to nth divisions are uniform, the variation in the amount of medicine measured in each measuring operation in the divided measuring data is reduced. The control unit 50 calculates the target weight value for each measuring operation so that the amount of medicine measured in each measuring operation is uniform.

[0180] Then, the process ends (END). In this way, the number of times the measuring operation is divided and the target weight value of the drug to be measured in each measuring operation are obtained based on the number of times the drug information is divided. In the process of step S105 shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 according to the result of the calculation of the target weight value, and measures the target weight value of the drug from the drug container 15 in each measuring operation.

[0181] In the judgment in step S301, if the total amount is equal to or less than the maximum possible amount (NO in step S301), the entire amount of the medicine can be measured out in one measuring operation, and there is no need to perform separate measuring operations. Therefore, the process of creating divided measuring data is not performed, and the process ends (END).

[0182] As described above, after input of the dispensing data is completed in step S102, if it is specified that only the drug be weighed out for the input dispensing data, instead of the packaging start command in step S103, the operator can input a weighing start command to the control unit 50 using the operation unit 22. When the weighing command is input, the drug packaging device 1 does not package the drug for the input dispensing data, but only weighs it out.

[0183] When a command to start measuring is input, in order to measure out the specified amount of medicine, first, it is determined whether or not the dispensing operation in the other medicine packaging device 95 needs to be performed in multiple steps. This determination is made based on the required number of doses of the medicine to be distributed, which is included in the dispensing data. The required number of doses in this case refers to the required number to be distributed by the dispensing unit of the other medicine packaging device 95. Next, it is determined whether or not the measuring operation needs to be performed in multiple steps. This determination is made based on the total amount of each type of medicine to be measured out, which is included in the dispensing data. Details of these determinations will be described later.

[0184] Next, the medicine is measured out from the medicine container 15, and the container containing the measured medicine is transported to the third removal position P7.

[0185] After the container containing the measured out drugs is transported to the third dispensing position, it is determined whether or not all of the drugs have been measured and transported. If not, the measuring is performed again.

[0186] Hereinafter, the details of the process performed in the medicine packing device 1 when the dispensing operation in the medicine packing device 95 is divided into a plurality of operations will be described.

[0187] First, a determination is made as to whether the required number of dispensed doses is greater than the maximum possible number of dispensed doses of the other medicine packaging device 95 (third determination). The maximum possible number of dispensed doses of the other medicine packaging device 95 is stored in advance in the storage unit 61. The control unit 50 refers to or calculates the required number of dispensed doses based on the input dispensing data. The control unit 50 compares the required number of dispensed doses with the maximum possible number of dispensed doses of the other medicine packaging device 95 read from the storage unit 61, and determines whether the required number of dispensed doses is greater than the maximum possible number of dispensed doses of the other medicine packaging device 95.

[0188] If it is determined that the required number of dispensed drugs is greater than the maximum possible number of dispensed drugs of the other drug packaging device 95, the other drug packaging device 95 cannot dispense the required number of dispensed drugs in a single dispensing operation, and therefore the other drug packaging device 95 will perform the dispensing operation in multiple steps. For this reason, the control unit 50 divides the dispensing data based on the required number of dispensed drugs and the maximum possible number of dispensed drugs of the other drug packaging device 95, and creates divided dispensing data. As the dispensing data is divided, the measuring unit 30 will perform the measuring operation of the drugs multiple times. As a result, the other drug packaging device 95 will be able to perform the dispensing operation in multiple steps.

[0189] In this case, the packing pattern is then determined. Then, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, dispensing division data is created according to the packing pattern.

[0190] If the required number of drugs to be dispensed is equal to or less than the maximum number of drugs that can be dispensed by the other medicine packaging device 95, the required number of drugs can be dispensed in one dispensing operation, and there is no need to perform separate dispensing operations. There is also no need to perform the measuring operation in the medicine packaging device 1 in multiple operations. Therefore, the process of creating dispensing division data is not performed, and the process ends as it is.

[0191] Next, a fourth judgment is made as to whether or not the total amount of medicine included in the dispensing data is greater than the maximum possible amount. This judgment is made for each type of medicine included in the dispensing data. If the dispensing division data has been created, a judgment is made as to whether or not the total amount of medicine included in the dispensing division data is greater than the maximum possible amount.

[0192] If it is determined that the total amount is greater than the maximum possible storage amount, the entire amount of the medicine cannot be measured in one measuring operation, and so the measuring operation is performed in multiple steps. Therefore, the control unit 50 divides the medicine information whose total amount is determined to be greater than the maximum possible storage amount, and creates divided measuring data. If the measured medicine is to be packaged by another medicine packaging device 95, the medicine measured by the multiple measuring operations is supplied to the other medicine packaging device 95 all at once.

[0193] In this way, the number of times the drug information is divided and the target amount of the drug to be measured in each measuring operation are obtained based on the number of times the drug information is divided. The control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 according to the calculation result of the target amount, and measures the target amount of the drug from the drug container 15 in each measuring operation.

[0194] If the total amount is equal to or less than the maximum possible amount, the entire amount of the medicine can be measured out in one measuring operation, and there is no need to perform separate measuring operations. Therefore, the process of creating divided measuring data is not performed, and the process ends.

[0195] 7 and 8, in the embodiment of the drug packaging device 1 described above, when the required number of drugs to be distributed included in the dispensing data is greater than the maximum number that can be distributed in one dispensing operation by the dispensing unit 34, the control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 to measure out the drug to be distributed in multiple batches. By controlling the measuring unit 30 in this manner, the control unit 50 can automatically perform the measuring operation when the required number of drugs to be distributed in the dispensing data exceeds the maximum number that can be distributed.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 2, the distributing unit 34 has a distribution tray 34a to which the drugs to be distributed weighed out by the measuring unit 30 are supplied. The distributing unit 34 distributes the drugs to be distributed supplied to the distribution tray 34a into individual doses. The control unit 50 sets the maximum number of drugs to be distributed supplied to the distribution tray 34a that the distributing unit 34 can distribute as the maximum possible distribution number. In this way, the maximum possible distribution number is set as unique information related to the drug packaging device 1, so that an appropriate maximum possible distribution number can be set for each model of the drug packaging device 1. The control unit 50 can appropriately control the measuring unit 30 according to the set maximum possible distribution number.

[0197] 7 and 11, when the total amount of each type of drug to be dispensed included in the dispensing data is greater than the maximum amount of drug that can be accommodated in the intermediate container 91 or the output container 93, the control unit 50 controls the weighing unit 30 to weigh out the drug to be dispensed in multiple batches. By controlling the weighing unit 30 in this manner, the control unit 50 can automatically perform a weighing operation when the total amount of each type of drug to be dispensed in the dispensing data exceeds the maximum amount.

[0198] As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 50 has a memory unit 61. The memory unit 61 stores information about drugs for each type of drug. The information about the drugs includes a maximum possible storage amount. Since the maximum possible storage amount for each type of drug is stored in the memory unit 61, the control unit 50 can read out from the memory unit 61 the maximum possible storage amount corresponding to the drug to be measured and dispensed, and appropriately control the measuring unit 30 according to the maximum possible storage amount.

[0199] The memory unit 61 stores the maximum possible number of distributions in one distribution operation by the distribution unit 34. The control unit 50 can read out the maximum possible number of distributions from the memory unit 61, and appropriately control the measuring unit 30 according to the maximum possible number of distributions.

[0200] 8 and 11, the control unit 50 calculates the amount of the drug to be dispensed to be measured out in each measuring operation. The control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 in accordance with the result of the calculation. By the control unit 50 controlling the measuring unit 30 in this manner, an appropriate amount of drug can be measured out in each of the multiple divided measuring operations.

[0201] 8, when the order of dispensing the medicines to be dispensed included in the dispensing data is specified as the order of taking, the control unit 50 calculates the maximum possible number of days, the number of divisions, and the target measurement value, in that order, based on the number of times the medicine is taken per day. The control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 according to the calculated target measurement value, so that an appropriate amount of medicine can be measured out in each of the multiple divided measuring operations.

[0202] 8, when the order of dispensing the medicines to be dispensed included in the dispensing data is specified as the order of the doses, the control unit 50 calculates the number of divisions for each dose, the number of doses to be distributed, and the target weight value, in that order, based on the total number of days of taking the medicine. The control unit 50 controls the measuring unit 30 according to the calculated target weight value, so that an appropriate amount of medicine can be measured out in each of the multiple divided measuring operations.

[0203] The control unit 50 calculates a target weighing value so that the amount of drug measured in each measuring operation is uniform, thereby reducing the variation in the amount of drug measured in each divided measurement. This allows the control unit 50 to easily control the measuring unit 30.

[0204] Although the embodiment has been described above, the disclosed embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include the meaning equivalent to the claims, and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0205] 1 Drug packaging device, 14 Conveying section, 14a First conveying section, 14b Second conveying section, 15 Drug container, 17 Drug removal section, 18 Weighing section, 18a Placement table, 18b Detection section, 21 Display section, 22 Operation section, 23 Supply standby section, 30 Weighing section, 32 Drug discharge section, 32a Container mounting section, 32b Vibration device, 33 Packaging section, 34 Distribution section, 34a Distribution tray, 34b Feeding section, 35 Packaging section, 35a Hopper, 35b Heater, 37 Cleaning standby section, 38 Cleaning section, 40 Packaging material, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D Package, 50 Control section, 61 Memory section, 62 Weighing selection section, 65 Guidance section, 91 Intermediate container, 92 External drug container, 93 Output container, 100 dispensing system, P1 first waiting position, P2 second waiting position, P3 third waiting position, P4 weighing position, P5 first removal position, P6 second removal position, P7 third removal position, P8 supply waiting position, P9 supply position, P10 cleaning waiting position, P11 cleaning position.

Claims

1. a supply unit for supplying a drug; A distributing unit that distributes the drug supplied by the supplying unit; a control unit that controls the supply unit and the distribution unit based on input prescription data; The supply unit has a measuring unit that measures and takes out the medicine from a medicine container that contains the medicine, The control unit controls the measuring unit to measure out the drug to be dispensed in multiple batches when the required number of doses of the drug to be dispensed, which is included in the dispensing data, is greater than the maximum number of doses that can be dispensed in a single dispensing operation by the dispensing unit.

2. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit calculates an amount of the drug to be dispensed that is measured out in each measuring operation, and controls the measuring unit in accordance with a result of the calculation.

3. 3. The drug dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit calculates an amount of the drug to be dispensed to be measured in each measuring operation based on the number of times the drug is taken per day when the order in which the drug to be dispensed is to be dispensed included in the dispensing data is specified as the order of taking the drug.

4. 3. The drug dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit calculates the amount of the drug to be dispensed to be measured in each measuring operation based on a total number of days for which the drug is to be taken when the order in which the drug to be dispensed is specified as a batch order based on the time of taking the drug included in the dispensing data.

5. The drug dispensing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the control unit calculates the amount of the drug to be dispensed measured in each measuring operation so as to be uniform.

6. The distributing unit has a distribution tray to which the drug to be distributed measured by the measuring unit is supplied, and distributes the drug to be distributed supplied to the distribution tray into individual doses; The drug dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit sets the maximum number of the drugs to be dispensed supplied to the distribution tray that the distribution unit can distribute as the maximum possible distribution number.

7. a measuring unit that measures and takes out a medicine from a medicine container that contains the medicine; a control unit that controls the measuring unit based on input prescription data, The control unit controls the measuring unit to measure the drug to be distributed in multiple batches when the required number of drugs to be distributed, which is included in the dispensing data, is greater than the maximum number of drugs that can be distributed in a single dispensing operation by the dispensing unit of the drug packaging machine.

8. The medicine measuring device according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit calculates an amount of the medicine to be distributed measured in each measuring operation, and controls the measuring unit in accordance with a result of the calculation.

9. The drug measuring device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit calculates the amount of the drug to be dispensed to be measured in each measuring operation based on the number of times the drug is taken per day when the order in which the drug to be dispensed included in the dispensing data is to be dispensed by the drug packaging machine is specified as the order of taking the drug.

10. The drug measuring device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit calculates the amount of the drug to be dispensed to be measured in each measuring operation based on the total number of days for which the drug is to be taken when the order in which the drug to be dispensed included in the dispensing data is to be dispensed by the drug packaging machine is specified as the order in which the drugs are taken.

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