Medicine registration system, medicine registration program, and medicine registration method

Abstract

To provide a medicine registration system capable of registering positions of medicines even when the same medicines are stored separately at main and sub positions.SOLUTION: A medicine registration system includes a reading device and a management device. The reading device reads a medicine code (GS1 code 43) indicating information for identifying a medicine and position codes (section codes 41a, 41b and area codes 42a, 42b) including positional information which indicates a main storage position or a sub storage position of the medicine. The management device associates the medicine with the main and sub storage positions of the medicine on the basis of reading information created by the reading of the medicine code and the position codes by the reading device, so as to register them as a medicine position database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a technique for registering medicines and storage locations in association with each other in a medicine location database. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a pharmaceutical inventory support system that includes a code reader and a terminal device. The code reader reads the code attached to the pharmaceutical packaging. The terminal device presents candidates for storage locations for the pharmaceutical and accepts a user's operation. The terminal device associates the storage location selected by the user's operation with the pharmaceutical and registers it in a database. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-98543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a dispensing pharmacy, the same medicine is not necessarily stored in one location. For example, the same medicine may be stored in a main storage location where the dispensing staff picks up the medicine when dispensing, and in a sub-storage location for stocking the medicine. In this respect, the system of Patent Document 1 does not support the case where the same medicine is stored in multiple locations.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a medicine registration system capable of registering the position of a medicine even when the same medicine is stored in a main and a sub position.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be described.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine registration system having the following configuration. That is, the medicine registration system includes a reading device and a management device. The reading device reads a medicine code indicating information for identifying a medicine and a position code including position information indicating a main storage position or a sub-storage position of the medicine. The management device registers a medicine, its main storage position, and its sub-storage position in a medicine position database in association with each other based on read information created by the reading device reading the medicine code and the position code.

[0008] This allows the main storage position and the sub-storage position to be registered in the medicine position database as storage positions for one medicine. Therefore, even if the same medicine is stored in multiple positions (for example, a position for picking up and a position for stocking), the positions of the medicine can be appropriately managed.

[0009] The medicine registration system is preferably configured as follows: That is, the management device registers, as the main storage location, a section obtained by dividing a medicine shelf in the horizontal or vertical direction, and storage areas set in sequence within the section. The management device registers, as the sub-storage location, the section and the storage area.

[0010] As a result, the storage areas are determined in order within the section, so that it is easy to respond even if the number or size of storage areas within the main storage position or sub-storage position section is changed.

[0011] The medicine registration system is preferably configured as follows: That is, a first storage location and a second storage location exist as the main storage location or the sub-storage location. In a situation where a first medicine and the first storage location are registered in association with each other in the medicine location database, when the management device receives the read information that associates the first medicine with the second storage location, the management device replaces the first storage location associated with the first medicine with the second storage location and updates the medicine location database.

[0012] This reduces the burden on the registrant when a medicine storage location is changed, as the corresponding item in the medicine location database is automatically overwritten without being deleted.

[0013] The medicine registration system is preferably configured as follows: That is, the position code indicating the main storage position or the sub-storage position has the position information written in character form in addition to a format readable by the reading device. The position information written in character form in the position code is displayed in a manner that allows distinction between the main storage position and the sub-storage position.

[0014] This allows the operator of the registration task or the dispenser to distinguish between the main storage location and the sub-storage location by looking at the location information written in character form in the location code.

[0015] The medicine registration system is preferably configured as follows: In other words, when the management device receives the read information that associates the first medicine with the first sub-storage position in a situation where neither the main storage position nor the sub-storage position is registered in the medicine position database in association with the first medicine, the management device registers the first sub-storage position as the main storage position corresponding to the first medicine and updates the medicine position database.

[0016] In this way, when the main storage position is not registered, the associated sub-storage position is treated as the main storage position, thereby making it possible to avoid a situation in which only the sub-storage position is registered.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine registration program having the following configuration. That is, the medicine registration program causes a computer to execute a receiving step and a registering step. In the receiving step, read information is received by reading a medicine code indicating information for identifying a medicine and a position code including position information indicating a main storage position or a sub-storage position of the medicine. In the registering step, based on the read information received in the receiving step, a medicine is associated with the main storage position of the medicine and the sub-storage position of the medicine, and registered as a medicine position database.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drug registration method as follows. That is, the drug registration method includes a reading step and a registration step. In the reading step, a drug code indicating information for identifying a drug and a position code including position information indicating a main storage position or a sub-storage position of the drug are read. In the registration step, based on the read information created by reading the drug code and the position code in the reading step, a drug is associated with the main storage position of the drug and the sub-storage position of the drug, and registered as a drug position database. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a medication registration system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] An enlarged front view of the main storage position and sub-storage position of the medicine shelf. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the reading device when reading a code. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing read information stored in a reading device. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart showing a process in which the management device newly registers or updates the medicine position database based on read information. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a medicine position database stored in the management device. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing a process for printing medicine stickers. [Figure 9] A diagram showing three types of drug stickers. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an area code sheet used when no area code is affixed to the medicine shelf. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of a medicine registration system 1 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0021] The medicine registration system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used in a pharmacy or a hospital. A pharmacy or a hospital is provided with a plurality of medicine shelves 30 as shown in FIG. 2. Each medicine shelf 30 stores various types of medicine. The medicine registration system 1 is a system for registering and managing the location of medicines. The medicine registration system 1 is used, for example, to assist in dispensing medicines. Dispensing refers to a pharmacist preparing and stocking medicines based on information written on a prescription. By using the medicine registration system 1, the location of the necessary medicines can be known, allowing the pharmacist to complete dispensing in a short time.

[0022] 1, the medicine registration system 1 includes a reading device 10 and a management device 20. The configurations of the reading device 10 and the management device 20 will be described below.

[0023] The reading device 10 is a portable barcode reader that is handheld by an operator performing registration work. The reading device 10 of this embodiment is a type that reads barcodes, but may be a type that reads codes other than barcodes (e.g., matrix-type two-dimensional codes). The reading device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, a communication unit 15, and a reading unit 16.

[0024] The control unit 11 is a calculation device such as a CPU. The memory unit 12 is a storage such as a flash memory. The memory unit 12 stores programs used for processing the reading device 10. The control unit 11 reads out and executes the programs stored in the memory unit 12 to perform various processes related to the reading device 10.

[0025] The display unit 13 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and is capable of displaying information. Information to assist the worker in reading the barcode is displayed on the display unit 13. The operation unit 14 is a hardware key arranged on the surface of the device. The worker issues instructions to the reading device 10 by operating the operation unit 14. The operation unit 14 is not limited to a hardware key, and may be a touch panel.

[0026] The communication unit 15 is a communication board or the like, and performs a process of reading a barcode and transmitting the data obtained to the management device 20. The communication unit 15 includes, for example, a connector provided on the communication board. One end of a communication cable is connected to the connector of the reading device 10, and the other end of the communication cable is connected to the management device 20. This enables the communication unit 15 to transmit data to the management device 20.

[0027] The reading unit 16 is an optical sensor that detects inspection light or natural light reflected by a barcode. The detection result of the reading unit 16 is output to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 identifies information indicated by the barcode based on the detection result of the reading unit 16, and stores the information in the memory unit 12. The barcodes to be read by the reading unit 16 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The management device 20 is a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or the like that is placed in a pharmacy or a hospital. The management device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0029] The control unit 21 is a calculation device such as a CPU. The storage unit 22 is a storage such as an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory. The storage unit 22 stores programs used for processing the management device 20. The control unit 21 reads out and executes the programs stored in the storage unit 22 to perform various processes on the read information received from the reading device 10.

[0030] The display unit 23 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc., and is capable of displaying information. The operation unit 24 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. When an operator operates the operation unit 24 to give instructions to the management device 20, the information stored in the memory unit 22 can be displayed on the display unit 23.

[0031] The communication unit 25 is a communication board or the like, and is capable of communicating with the above-mentioned communication unit 15 via a communication cable. Furthermore, the communication unit 25 is capable of communicating with the medicine management system 100 via a LAN.

[0032] The medicine management system 100 is a system that performs processing related to medicine management. The medicine management system 100 includes, for example, a dispensing system and an inventory management system. The dispensing system creates dispensing data, which is data for dispensing medicine, based on a prescription received from a patient. The inventory management system manages the inventory of medicines at a pharmacy or hospital. These systems may be realized by individual computers, or may be realized by a common computer. In addition, the computer that realizes the medicine management system 100 may be the same as the management device 20. The medicine management system 100 does not need to have all of the above-mentioned systems, and it is sufficient to include at least one of them.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the medicine shelf 30 includes a pickup shelf 30a and a stocker 30b. Medicines are stored in the pickup shelf 30a and the stocker 30b. When dispensing, the dispenser generally picks up the medicine stored in the pickup shelf 30a. When the medicine stored in the pickup shelf 30a is reduced, the same medicine stored in the stocker 30b is replenished in the corresponding location of the pickup shelf 30a. Note that, as an exception, some medicines that are dispensed less frequently may be stored only in the stocker 30b. In the following, the storage position of the medicine in the pickup shelf 30a is referred to as the "main storage position," and the storage position of the medicine in the stocker 30b is referred to as the "sub-storage position." In addition, in this specification, "medicine" refers to prescription medicines, including powders, tablets, ointments, etc. In addition, "the same medicine" refers to medicines with the same name, dosage form, and content.

[0034] In this embodiment, one medicine shelf 30 has a main storage position and a sub-storage position. This configuration is an example, and for example, there may be a medicine shelf 30 having only a main storage position, or there may be a medicine shelf 30 having only a sub-storage position. For example, the medicine shelf 30 in the dispensing room may have only a main storage position, and the medicine shelf 30 in the warehouse may have only a sub-storage position. In addition, the mode in which the main storage position is for picking up and the sub-storage position is for stocking is an example. Instead of that, for example, the main storage position may be for normal picking up, and the sub-storage position may be for picking up after the medicine in the main storage position runs out.

[0035] The pickup shelf 30a is an open type shelf without a door or the like, and the medicines can be seen from outside. The stocker 30b is a shelf with a drawer or a door, and the medicines cannot be seen from outside. Note that such a division is only an example, and the pickup shelf 30a may be a shelf with a drawer or a door, and the stocker 30b may be an open type shelf. Furthermore, the pickup shelf 30a and the stocker 30b are divided into sections by shelves or partitions or the like.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the pickup shelf 30a includes a plurality of main shelf boards 31a. The main shelf boards 31a are arranged in a horizontal direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the main shelf boards 31a is parallel to the horizontal plane. As a result, the medicine shelf 30 is divided in the horizontal direction by the main shelf boards 31a. The area surrounded by the two shelves arranged parallel to each other above and below is an area for storing medicines. In addition, mounting holes 34 are formed in the side boards of the main shelf board 31a at a predetermined pitch in the vertical direction. The main shelf board 31a is supported by the support rods 35 inserted into the mounting holes 34. The height of the main shelf board 31a can be changed by changing the mounting holes 34 into which the support rods 35 are inserted. As a result, the height of the area for storing medicines can be changed.

[0037] A main partition 32a can be arranged on the main shelf 31a. The main partition 32a divides the area for storing medicines in the vertical direction. The position of the main partition 32a in the horizontal direction can be changed. This makes it possible to change the width (horizontal length) of the area for storing medicines.

[0038] The medicine box 33 is a box in which medicines are stored. The medicine box 33 may be a medicine packaging package, or may be a separate box for storing medicines taken out of a packaging package in an organized manner.

[0039] In this embodiment, the area surrounded by two main shelves 31a is divided into a plurality of storage areas for management. The same medicines are stored in one storage area. The storage areas may be divided by the main dividers 32a or by spacing the medicine boxes 33 apart from each other. In this way, the size of the storage area can be easily changed in the pickup shelf 30a of this embodiment.

[0040] The shelf portion of the stocker 30b is provided with sub-shelf boards 31b and sub-partitions 32b having the same configuration as the main shelf board 31a and main partition 32a (FIG. 3). In addition, the drawer portion of the stocker 30b is provided with partitions (not shown) that divide the area for storing medicines in two orthogonal directions and allow the size of the area to be changed. Therefore, the size of the storage area can be easily changed not only for the pickup shelf 30a but also for the stocker 30b.

[0041] The storage area of ​​medicine shelf 30 is an example and may be different from that of this embodiment. For example, the size of the storage area may be configured not to be changeable (i.e., a configuration in which immovable shelves or partitions are provided).

[0042] Next, various codes provided on the pickup shelf 30a and the stocker 30b will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In the following description, "characters" is a concept that includes not only characters in the narrow sense such as the alphabet, but also numbers and symbols.

[0043] 3, the main shelf board 31a is provided with a main section code 41a and a plurality of main area codes 42a, while the sub shelf board 31b is provided with a sub section code 41b and a sub area code 42b.

[0044] The main area code 41a is provided for each main shelf board 31a, and unique position information (A1 in FIG. 3) identifying the main shelf board 31a is written in bar code format. The sub-area code 42b is provided for each sub-shelf board 31b, and unique position information (AA1 in FIG. 3) identifying the sub-shelf board 31b is written in bar code format.

[0045] A main area code 42a is provided for each storage area, and position information (001, 002 in FIG. 3) specifying the storage area is written in barcode format. A sub-area code 42b is provided for each storage area, and position information (%01, %02 in FIG. 3) specifying the storage area is written in barcode format. The storage areas are set in order from one side (the left side in this embodiment). Therefore, it is preferable that the position information specifying the storage area includes numbers or letters so that the order is easy to understand.

[0046] Hereinafter, the main region code 41a and the sub-region code 41b may be collectively referred to as "region codes 41a, 41b," and the main area code 42a and the sub-area code 42b may be collectively referred to as "area codes 42a, 42b."

[0047] In this embodiment, the main storage location and the sub-storage location are distinguished using the area codes 42a and 42b. In detail, the location information (character string) indicated by the main area code 42a always starts with "0", and the location information (character string) indicated by the sub-area code 42b always starts with "%". Note that this method of distinction is just one example, and the distinction may be made using a character other than the first character, or a character other than "0" and "%". Alternatively, for example, a specific character may be included only in the location information indicated by the main area code 42a, and if the character is included, it may be determined to be a main storage location, and if the character is not included, it may be determined to be a sub-storage location.

[0048] Also, the main storage location and the sub-storage location may be distinguished using the section codes 41a and 41b instead of the area codes 42a and 42b. The method of distinction can be applied using the above-mentioned method using the area codes 42a and 42b. In this case, the same area codes 42a and 42b can be used for the main storage location and the sub-storage location.

[0049] In addition to the barcode, the sub-area code 41a, 41b and the area code 42a, 42b are described with their location information in a format that can be seen by the worker or dispenser (i.e., in character format). Here, the location information indicated by the barcode of the sub-area code 42b is "%01, %02", whereas the location information described in character format for the sub-area code 42b is "001, 002". The reason for this is that since "%" is merely a character for recognition on the medicine registration system 1 side, it is easier for the worker or dispenser to understand if it is written without using "%". Furthermore, by changing "%" to "0", the area codes 42a, 42b for the pickup shelf 30a and the stocker 30b have a sense of unity, which is also easier for the worker or dispenser to understand.

[0050] It is preferable that the operator or dispenser can distinguish between the main storage position and the sub-storage position. Therefore, in this embodiment, the position information of the main area code 42a is displayed in text form without underlining in the main storage position, and the position information of the sub-area code 42b is displayed in text form with underlining in the sub-storage position. Note that, as long as the manner in which the characters are displayed differs between the main storage position and the sub-storage position, a method other than underlining may be used. For example, the main storage position and the sub-storage position may be distinguished from each other by changing the manner using the display position, display color, size, marks added to the characters, etc.

[0051] The location information may be written in a two-dimensional code format in the section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b in bar code format, which is an example. Also, writing the location information in character format in the section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b is not essential and can be omitted.

[0052] The section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b are codes for indicating the storage location of the medicine, and therefore correspond to "position codes." That is, in this embodiment, the storage location of the medicine is specified using two types of position codes. Alternatively, the storage location of the medicine may be specified using one type of position code. Specifically, a barcode indicating unique position information may be provided for each storage location.

[0053] The medicine box 33 is provided with a GS1 code (medicine code) 43. The GS1 code 43 is a code for identifying the medicine. In detail, the GS1 code 43 is a code given to each prescription package. Note that the medicine code is not limited to the GS1 code, and may be a code of another standard.

[0054] A medicine sticker 44 with the name of the medicine is attached near the area codes 42a and 42b. The medicine sticker 44 is provided for the purpose of assisting the dispenser in picking up the medicine. For example, if a general-purpose box is used instead of the medicine box 33 after registering the medicine, the name of the medicine may be difficult to understand at a glance. For this reason, the dispenser may pick up the medicine while looking at the name of the medicine written on the medicine sticker 44.

[0055] Next, the process (reading step) of reading various codes (section codes 41a, 41b, area codes 42a, 42b, GS1 code 43) by the reading device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The flowchart shown in Figure 4 is executed by the control unit 11 of the reading device 10. In addition, since the process executed for the main storage position and the process executed for the sub-storage position are the same, only the process executed for the main storage position will be described below.

[0056] The work performed by the worker is as follows: The worker holds the reading device 10 in his / her hand and first reads the main section code 41a, and then alternately reads the main area code 42a and the GS1 code 43, starting from one side of the main shelf board 31a. After reading all the main area codes 42a of one main shelf board 31a, the worker presses the completion button on the operation unit 14 to inform the reading device 10 that the work is complete.

[0057] The control unit 11 first judges whether the main division code 41a has been read (S101). If the control unit 11 judges that the main division code 41a has been read, the control unit 11 stores the position information indicated by the barcode of the main division code 41a in the storage unit 12 and judges whether the main area code 42a has been read (S102). If the control unit 11 judges that the main area code 42a has been read, the control unit 11 stores the position information indicated by the main area code 42a in the storage unit 12 and judges whether the GS1 code 43 has been read (S103).

[0058] When the control unit 11 determines that the GS1 code 43 has been read, it stores the read GS1 code 43 in the memory unit 12 and determines whether or not the Complete button has been operated (S104). If the Complete button has not been operated, the control unit 11 returns to the process of step S102 and continues reading the main area code 42a and the GS1 code 43. When the control unit 11 determines that the Complete button has been operated, the reading of the target main shelf board 31a has been completed, and the control unit 11 associates the various codes that have been obtained. This completes the reading of the various codes for one main shelf board 31a.

[0059] Next, when creating a new medicine location database, the worker performs the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 for all the section codes 41a and 41b. When updating the medicine location database, the worker performs the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 for the section codes 41a and 41b for which changes have been made regarding the storage of medicines.

[0060] When the process shown in Fig. 4 is completed for the required section, the read information shown in Fig. 5 is stored in the memory unit 12 of the reading device 10. The read information is information that associates the location information of the area codes 42a, 42b with the GS1 code 43 for the location information of the section codes 41a, 41b. The associated area codes 42a, 42b and GS1 code 43 are codes that are read consecutively in steps S102 and S103. As shown in Fig. 5, the read information includes information indicating the main storage position and information indicating the sub-storage position.

[0061] Next, a process of newly registering or updating the medicine position database based on the read information generated by the reading device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is executed by the control unit 21 of the management device 20. The medicine position database is a database in which medicines are associated with storage locations, and is stored in the storage unit 22, the medicine management system 100, or on the cloud.

[0062] The operator connects the reading device 10 that has read the various codes to the management device 20, and operates the operation unit 24 of the management device 20 to instruct new registration or updating of the drug location database. As a result, the control unit 21 receives the read information by executing a program (receiving process, receiving step).

[0063] The control unit 21 determines whether read information has been received from the reading device 10 (S201), and if it is determined that read information has been received, identifies whether the location is a main storage location or a sub-storage location based on the read location code (section code 41a, 41b or area code 42a, 42b) (S202). In this embodiment, the control unit 21 determines that the area code 42a, 42b is a main storage location when the character string of the location information begins with "0", and determines that the area code 42a, 42b is a sub-storage location when the character string of the location information begins with "%".

[0064] Next, the control unit 21 registers the main storage location and the sub-storage location for each medicine based on the correspondence of the read information (the correspondence of the GS1 code 43 and the location information of the section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b) to create or update the medicine location database (S203, registration process, registration step). When registering a new medicine location database, the control unit 21 creates a new medicine location database based on the read information received from the reading device 10.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows the contents of the drug location database. The drug location database is a database that associates drug IDs, drug names, YJ codes, GS1 codes 43, and storage locations (specifically, location information of storage locations). The drug ID is a unique ID for managing the drug location database. The drug name is the name of the drug. The YJ code is an individual pharmaceutical code, and a different code is assigned if the product name is different even if the ingredients and content are the same. By identifying the GS1 code 43, the drug name and YJ code can be identified by referring to another database. The drug name and YJ code may be input separately by the operator.

[0066] The storage location includes the position information of the main storage location and the position information of the sub-storage location. Therefore, in other words, both the main storage location and the sub-storage location are registered in association with one medicine. As shown in FIG. 7, the storage location is described as a series of character strings of "position information of the main storage location / position information of the sub-storage location", and the two position information are described by using a slash mark to distinguish between them. The control unit 21 handles the position information described before the slash mark as the position information of the main storage location, and handles the position information described after the slash mark as the position information of the sub-storage location. Note that the position information of the main storage location and the position information of the sub-storage location may be registered as separate items. In addition, the position information of the storage location in this embodiment is described by combining the position information of the section code and the position information of the area code, but when the storage location is specified by one type of position code as described above, the position information of the storage location is described by only the position information of one type of position code.

[0067] By creating such a medicine position database, an appropriate database can be created even when the same medicine is stored in a main storage position for pickup and a sub-storage position for stocking. Therefore, for example, when informing a dispensing person of the medicine pickup position, the position information of the main storage position is used, and when informing an operator of the medicine refill position, the position information of the sub-storage position is used, so that processing can be performed according to the storage position.

[0068] The above-mentioned drug location database is an example, and for example, the drug name may be omitted. In addition, either the YJ code or the GS1 code 43 may be omitted. In addition, information such as inventory status and drug classification (type) may be added.

[0069] In step S103, when updating the medicine position database, the control unit 21 updates the medicine position database based on the read information received from the reading device 10 (that is, the read information to be updated).

[0070] Moreover, when updating the medicine position database, the control unit 21 overwrites the past medicine position database to update it. For example, consider a case where the first medicine is moved from the first main storage position to the second main storage position. In this case, the first medicine and the position information of the first main storage position are registered in association with each other in the medicine position database before the update. In the read information obtained by using the reading device 10 at the time of the update, the first medicine (specifically, the GS1 code 43 of the first medicine) and the position information of the second main storage position are associated with each other. Then, the control unit 21 replaces the position information of the first main storage position associated with the first medicine with the position information of the second main storage position to update the medicine position database. This makes it unnecessary to perform a process of deleting unnecessary position information. The control unit 21 can also perform a similar process for the sub-storage position.

[0071] As described above, the main storage position and the sub-storage position are registered separately. Therefore, for example, when only the position information of the first main storage position is registered in association with the first medicine and the position information of the sub-storage position is not registered in association with the first medicine, if the read information in which the position information of the first medicine and the first sub-storage position are associated is received, the control unit 21 additionally registers the position information of the first sub-storage position as the sub-storage position corresponding to the first medicine. As a result, in the medicine position database, both the first main storage position and the first sub-storage position are registered in association with the first medicine.

[0072] As described above, some medicines that are dispensed infrequently may be exceptionally stored only in the stocker 30b (i.e., only in the sub-storage position). However, the medicine management system 100 is configured to notify the main storage position when performing a process to inform the dispenser of the pickup destination. Therefore, it is not preferable that only the sub-storage position is associated with a medicine.

[0073] In order to deal with such a situation, the control unit 21 performs the processes of steps S204 and 205. That is, the control unit 21 judges whether or not there is a medicine for which only a sub-storage position is registered after creating or updating the medicine position database (S204). When the control unit 21 judges Yes in step S204, it changes the storage position registered as the sub-storage position to the main storage position and updates the medicine position database (S205).

[0074] As a result, when the main storage location is not registered, the associated sub-storage location can be treated as the main storage location. This makes it possible to prevent errors from occurring when notifying the pickup location as described above. Note that the processes in steps S204 and S205 are not essential and can be omitted.

[0075] Next, the control unit 21 transmits the created or updated drug location database to the drug management system 100 (S206). The drug management system 100 manages drugs, and therefore, by being provided with the drug location database, it can realize better functions. For example, by using the drug location database, the drug dispensing system can indicate the location of the drug required for dispensing as described above. In addition, when indicating the location of the drug in the drug dispensing system, the location information of the section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b may be displayed in text format. The correspondence between the section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b and the location names may be stored in advance, and the location information of the section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b may be displayed as location names based on the correspondence. Examples of location names include "ho" (ho) indicating "refrigerated storage" and "kura" (kura) indicating "warehouse". By using the drug location database, the inventory management system can collectively manage the location of the drug and the inventory of the drug.

[0076] Next, the advantages of using the section codes 41a and 41b will be briefly described.

[0077] One method of managing the positions of medicines is to set individual area codes 42a, 42b for each storage area of ​​the medicine shelf 30, without using the section codes 41a, 41b. However, with this management method, processing becomes cumbersome when the number of storage areas is changed. In other words, if the number of storage areas is reduced, the storage area numbers will be skipped, and if the number of storage areas is increased, there will not be enough storage area numbers. As a result, it will be difficult for the pharmacist or dispensing assistant to find the storage area. On the other hand, if the storage area numbers are reassigned, it will be very time-consuming to re-register them.

[0078] In this embodiment, the storage areas only need to be numbered consecutively for each section code 41a, 41b. Therefore, even if the number of storage areas is changed, it is only necessary to re-register the storage area for one section code 41a, 41b. Therefore, in this embodiment, the consecutive numbers of the storage areas are maintained, and there is almost no effort required for re-registration.

[0079] Next, the process of printing the medicine sticker 44 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. This process is applied to the medicine registration system 1 of this embodiment in which medicines are registered in association with a main storage position and a sub-storage position, but it can also be applied to the medicine registration system 1 in which medicines are registered in association with one type of storage position.

[0080] The control unit 21 determines whether or not a new medicine location database has been created (S301). When the control unit 21 determines that a new medicine location database has been created, it sends a command to the sticker printer to print all medicine stickers 44 (S302). The sticker printer is connected to the management device 20 via a LAN or the like, and is a printer capable of printing, for example, thermal paper type stickers based on commands from the management device 20.

[0081] In step S302, medicine stickers 44 as shown in Fig. 9(a) to Fig. 9(c) are printed. The sticker printer prints a sheet including a plurality of medicine stickers 44. This makes it easier to manage the medicine stickers 44 together and to attach the medicine stickers 44 to the medicine shelf 30. The layout of the medicine stickers 44 arranged on the sheet is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to print the medicine stickers 44 arranged based on the storage position of the medicine. For example, it is preferable that the control unit 21 extracts medicines stored in the same section (same main shelf 31a) based on the medicine position database, and transmits a command to the sticker printer to print the medicine stickers 44 corresponding to the extracted medicines together.

[0082] The medicine sticker 44 shown in FIG. 9(a) has only the name of the medicine written on it. The medicine sticker 44 shown in FIG. 9(b) has the name of the medicine and the medicine code (e.g., GS1 code 43) written on it. The medicine code written on the medicine sticker 44 is used for the matching process of dispensing. The matching process is a process of confirming whether the medicine included in the prescription is the same as the dispensed medicine. The medicine sticker 44 shown in FIG. 9(c) has the name of the medicine, the medicine code, the position information of the section codes 41a and 41b written in character form, and the position information of the area codes 42a and 42b written in character form written on it. Note that the position information of the section codes 41a and 41b written in character form may be omitted. The medicine sticker 44 shown in FIG. 9(c) is to be peeled off the area codes 42a and 42b used at the time of registration, or pasted on the area codes 42a and 42b. This is because the barcodes of the area codes 42a and 42b are not necessary at the time of dispensing.

[0083] Next, the control unit 21 judges whether the medicine position database has been updated (S303). When the control unit 21 judges that the medicine position database has been updated, it sends a command to the sticker printer to print the medicine stickers 44 for the updated amount (S304). This allows the medicine stickers 44 to be printed only for the medicine stickers 44 that need to be replaced.

[0084] The management device 20 also has a function of specifying a specific storage position or a specific drug and printing the drug sticker 44. This function is used, for example, when the drug sticker 44 attached to a specific drug shelf 30 has become old and has lost its visibility, or when some of the drug stickers 44 have become dirty.

[0085] Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether or not there is an instruction to print the medicine sticker 44 (S305). The process of step S305 is performed by the control unit 21 analyzing the operation content performed on the operation unit 24, for example. When the control unit 21 determines that there is an instruction to print the medicine sticker 44, it sends a command to the sticker printer to print the specified medicine sticker 44 (S306). In detail, when a storage position (e.g., a section or area) is specified, the control unit 21 identifies a medicine associated with the specified storage position based on the medicine position database, and prints the medicine sticker 44 of the identified medicine. When the name of the medicine is specified, the control unit 21 prints the medicine sticker 44 of the specified medicine. Note that, as shown in FIG. 9(c), when not only the name of the medicine but also the storage position is printed, the control unit 21 refers to the correspondence between the medicine and the storage position in the medicine position database.

[0086] In this embodiment, the reading device 10 reads the section codes 41a, 41b provided on the medicine shelf 30 and the area codes 42a, 42b provided on the medicine shelf 30 to generate read information. Therefore, in order to generate a medicine position database, it is necessary to attach the section codes 41a, 41b and the area codes 42a, 42b to the medicine shelf 30. Here, since multiple area codes 42a, 42b are required for each section, the number of area codes 42a, 42b that need to be attached is large.

[0087] In order to reduce the labor of attaching the area codes 42a and 42b, the following method may be adopted. That is, the work of attaching the area codes 42a and 42b to the medicine shelf 30 is stopped, and instead, an area code sheet 50 shown in FIG. 10 is used. A plurality of main area codes 42a and a plurality of sub-area codes 42b are printed on the area code sheet 50. The area code sheet 50 is portable, and the worker alternately reads the main area code 42a on the area code sheet 50 and the GS1 code 43 of the medicine box 33 arranged on the main shelf board 31a. Similarly, the worker alternately reads the sub-area code 42b on the area code sheet 50 and the GS1 code 43 of the medicine box 33 arranged on the sub-shelf board 31b.

[0088] This makes it possible to create the same read information as when the area codes 42a, 42b are affixed to the medicine shelf 30 and a reading operation is performed. The area codes 42a, 42b are position information for indicating the order in which medicines are arranged within the section. Therefore, a common main area code 42a can be used among multiple main storage positions. Also, a common sub-area code 42b can be used among multiple sub-storage positions. When the section codes 41a, 41b are used to distinguish between the main storage position and the sub-storage position, the common area codes 42a, 42b can be used between the main storage position and the sub-storage position.

[0089] By using the area code sheet 50, the work of attaching the area codes 42a, 42b to the medicine shelf 30 is not necessary, so the time and effort involved in creating a medicine position database can be reduced. In addition, compared to the case where the area codes 42a, 42b are attached to the medicine shelf 30, the number of area codes 42a, 42b to be printed can be reduced, so the cost and time involved in printing can be reduced.

[0090] It is also possible to use a code sheet on which the area codes 41a, 41b are printed in addition to the area codes 42a, 42b, without attaching the area codes 41a, 41b to the medicine shelf 30. By using such a code sheet, the labor required for creating the medicine position database can be further reduced, and the cost and time required for printing can also be further reduced.

[0091] As described above, the medicine registration system 1 of this embodiment includes the reading device 10 and the management device 20. The reading device 10 reads a medicine code (GS1 code 43) indicating information for identifying a medicine, and a location code (section codes 41a, 41b, area codes 42a, 42b) including location information indicating a main storage location or a sub-storage location of the medicine. The management device 20 registers the medicine, the main storage location of the medicine, and the sub-storage location of the medicine in association with each other as a medicine location database based on the read information created by the reading device 10 reading the medicine code and the location code.

[0092] This allows the main storage position and the sub-storage position to be registered in the medicine position database as storage positions for one medicine. Therefore, even if the same medicine is stored in multiple positions (for example, a position for picking up and a position for stocking), the positions of the medicine can be appropriately managed.

[0093] In the medicine registration system 1 of this embodiment, the management device 20 registers, as main storage locations, sections obtained by dividing the medicine shelf 30 in the horizontal or vertical direction, and storage areas set in sequence within the sections. The management device 20 registers, as sub-storage locations, sections and storage areas.

[0094] As a result, the storage areas are determined in order within the section, so that it is easy to respond even if the number or size of storage areas within the main storage position or sub-storage position section is changed.

[0095] In the drug registration system 1 of this embodiment, when a first drug and a first storage location are registered in association with each other in the drug location database, when the management device 20 receives reading information that associates the first drug with a second storage location, it replaces the first storage location associated with the first drug with the second storage location and updates the drug location database.

[0096] This reduces the burden on the registrant when a medicine storage location is changed, as the corresponding item in the medicine location database is automatically overwritten without being deleted.

[0097] In the medicine registration system 1 of this embodiment, the location code indicating the main storage location or the sub-storage location has location information written in character form in addition to a form readable by the reading device 10. The location information written in character form in the location code is displayed in a manner that allows distinction between the main storage location and the sub-storage location.

[0098] This allows the operator of the registration task or the dispenser to distinguish between the main storage location and the sub-storage location by looking at the location information written in character form in the location code.

[0099] In the drug registration system 1 of this embodiment, when a situation occurs in which neither the main storage location nor the sub-storage location is registered in the drug location database in association with a first drug, the management device 20 receives read information that associates the first drug with the first sub-storage location, and updates the drug location database by registering the first sub-storage location as the main storage location corresponding to the first drug.

[0100] In this way, when the main storage position is not registered, the associated sub-storage position is treated as the main storage position, thereby making it possible to avoid a situation in which only the sub-storage position is registered. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1. Drug Registration System 10 Reading device 20 Management device 30 Medicine shelf

Claims

1. A reading device for reading a medicine code indicating information for identifying a medicine and a position code including position information indicating a main storage position or a sub-storage position of the medicine; A management device that associates a medicine with a main storage location of the medicine and a sub-storage location of the medicine based on read information created by the reading device reading the medicine code and the location code, and registers the association in a medicine location database; A drug registration system comprising:

2. 2. The drug registration system of claim 1, The management device registers, as the main storage location, a section obtained by dividing a medicine shelf in a horizontal or vertical direction and storage areas set in sequence within the section, A medicine registration system, wherein the management device registers the section and the storage area as the sub-storage location.

3. 2. The drug registration system of claim 1, A first storage position and a second storage position are present as the main storage position or the sub storage position, In a situation where a first medicine and a first storage location are registered in association with each other in the medicine location database, The drug registration system is characterized in that when the management device receives the reading information that corresponds the first drug to the second storage location, it replaces the first storage location corresponding to the first drug with the second storage location and updates the drug location database.

4. 2. The drug registration system of claim 1, The position code indicating the main storage position or the sub-storage position describes the position information in a character format in addition to a format readable by the reading device, A drug registration system characterized in that the location information written in character form in the location code is displayed in a manner that allows one to distinguish whether it is the main storage location or the sub-storage location.

5. 2. The drug registration system of claim 1, In a situation where neither the main storage position nor the sub-storage position is registered in the medicine position database in association with a first medicine, A drug registration system characterized in that when the management device receives the reading information that corresponds the first drug to the first sub-storage location, it registers the first sub-storage location as the main storage location corresponding to the first drug and updates the drug location database.

6. A receiving step of receiving read information created by reading a medicine code indicating information for identifying a medicine and a position code including position information indicating a main storage position or a sub-storage position of the medicine; a registration step of registering a medicine, a main storage position of the medicine, and a sub-storage position of the medicine in association with each other in a medicine position database based on the read information received in the reception step; A drug registration program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above steps.

7. A reading step of reading a medicine code indicating information for identifying a medicine and a position code including position information indicating a main storage position or a sub-storage position of the medicine; a registration step of registering a medicine, a main storage position of the medicine, and a sub-storage position of the medicine in a medicine position database based on read information created by reading the medicine code and the position code in the reading step, in association with each other; A drug registration method comprising:

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