Control device

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that a medicine box which is not stored in a storage device increases, and to reduce the possibility that a medicine different from the type of the medicine to be delivered is taken out from the medicine box.SOLUTION: A control device (5A) includes: a management part (53) for managing information on a medicine stored in a non-stored medicine box which is not stored in a storage device (1); a management determination part (54) for determining whether or not the medicine to be delivered is delivered from the non-stored medicine box, on the basis of the information on the medicine to be delivered, when receiving a deliver instruction of the medicine to be delivered; and a specification part (60) for specifying the non-stored medicine box as a delivery candidate of the medicine to be delivered, when the management determination part determines that the medicine to be delivered can be delivered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drug station for storing drugs and a control device for controlling a storage device for storing medicine boxes. The control device of Patent Document 1 determines the number of drugs to be dispensed from the storage device as the dispensing number, and controls to dispense at least one medicine box capable of dispensing the drugs of the dispensing number from the storage device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when the stock quantity of the drug stored in the drug station is less than the specified quantity of the drug to be dispensed, the medicine box containing the drug is dispensed from the storage device. Therefore, if the operator does not return the medicine box dispensed from the storage device to the storage device, the number of unreturned medicine boxes may increase.

[0005] In addition, the operator may use the unreturned medicine box for subsequent drug extraction. Since the control device of Patent Document 1 does not manage the extraction of the drug, there is a possibility that the operator may extract a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed from the unreturned medicine box as the drug to be dispensed.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to reduce the possibility of an increase in medicine boxes not stored in the storage device and to reduce the possibility of extracting a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed from the medicine box.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A control device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages first drug information regarding drugs contained in an un-stored drug box not stored in a first storage device that stores drug boxes containing drugs, and when receiving a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the un-stored drug box based on the first drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, and a specifying unit that specifies the un-stored drug box as a candidate for the take-out destination of the drug to be dispensed when the determination unit determines that the dispensing of the drug to be dispensed is possible.

[0008] A control device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages first drug information regarding drugs contained in an un-stored drug box not stored in a first storage device that stores drug boxes containing drugs, and when receiving a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the un-stored drug box based on the first drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, and a determination unit that determines the un-stored drug box as the take-out destination of the drug to be dispensed when the determination unit determines that the dispensing of the drug to be dispensed is possible.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of an increase in drug boxes not stored in the storage device and to reduce the possibility of taking out drugs of a type different from the drug to be dispensed from the drug box.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 7

Figure 8

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Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] 〔Embodiment 1〕 <Overview of the drug dispensing system> In the present embodiment, an overview of an exemplary drug dispensing system 100 controlled by the control device 5 according to the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the drug dispensing system 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the drug dispensing system 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0012] The drug dispensing system 100 is a system that enables, for example, taking out a specified number of drugs specified as the number of drugs to be dispensed in a drug dispensing instruction from the storage device 1 and / or the drug station 2. The specified number specified in the dispensing instruction is, for example, the number of drugs indicated in the prescription data received by the drug station 2 from an upper system (not shown), or the number of drugs input to the control device 5 by an operator of the drug station 2 as the number to be taken out. The drug dispensing system 100 may also be a system that enables filling of drugs stored in the storage device 1 and / or the drug station 2.

[0013] For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drug dispensing system 100 includes a storage device 1 (first storage device), a drug station 2 (second storage device), a display unit 3, a label output device 4, and a control device 5.

[0014] (Storage device) The storage device 1 is a device that stores drug boxes containing drugs. The storage device 1 may store, for example, a drug box containing drugs that can be handled at the drug station 2 (drugs that can be stored at the drug station 2), or a drug box containing drugs that are not stored at the drug station 2.

[0015] The storage device 1 can also function as, for example, a drug supply device that supplies to the drug station 2 a drug box stored in the storage device 1 and containing the drug when a certain type of drug is out of stock at the drug station 2. Further, the storage device 1 can also function as, for example, a drug supply device that sends out to the drug station 2 a drug box containing a drug that an operator desires to fill (store) at the drug station 2.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the storage device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage device 1 includes a storage shelf 11, a receiving portion 12, a conveying portion 13, and a loading box 14.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the receiving unit 12 is provided with a first barcode reader 121 for reading the barcode attached to the medicine box. The barcode contains, for example, medicine identification information for identifying the medicine (information indicating the type or name of the medicine, or information that can refer to the type or name of the medicine). Examples of the medicine identification information include GS1 codes. In addition, the number of medicines pre-stored in the unopened medicine box, the expiration date, and the lot number may be included. The number of medicines pre-stored in the unopened medicine box may also be referred to as a specified number defined as the number of medicines stored in the medicine box.

[0018] When storing the medicine box in the storage device 1, the operator inserts the medicine box into the receiving unit 12. At this time, the first barcode reader 121 reads the barcode attached to the medicine box. Thereby, the control device 5 can manage the medicine boxes stored in the storage device 1 in association with the types of medicines. After the barcode attached to the medicine box is read by the first barcode reader 121, under the control of the control device 5, the conveying unit 13 conveys the medicine box inserted into the receiving unit 12 to the storage shelf 11 and stores it on the storage shelf 11. Also, when dispensing the medicine box from the storage device 1, under the control of the control device 5, the conveying unit 13 conveys the medicine box to the input box 14 and inserts it into the input box 14.

[0019] The position of the input box 14 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the conveying unit 13 and the input box 14 are provided on the front side of the main body unit 21 of the drug station 2 to be described later and above the picking unit 22.

[0020] (Drug Station) The drug station 2 is a device for storing drugs, as well as filling and retrieving drugs. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the drug station 2 when viewed from the front. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the drug station 2 when viewed from the rear. The drug station 2 includes, for example, a main body unit 21 for storing drugs, and a picking unit 22 which is a device that enables an operator to handle the drugs stored in the main body unit 21. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the picking unit 22.

[0021] The main body unit 21 is a unit for storing drugs. Specifically, the main body unit 21 functions as a cassette storage device capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca for storing drugs (see FIG. 5). Further, the main body unit 21 functions as a cassette handling device that delivers and receives the cassette Ca to and from the picking unit 22. The drug only needs to be stored in a container for storing the drug. The cassette Ca is an example of this container.

[0022] The cassette Ca stored in the main body unit 21 can store drugs of types (e.g., about 1500 to 2000 types) assumed to be used in one facility such as a hospital or a pharmacy. Examples of the drugs include tablets, powders, external medications such as ointments or eye drops, or injectable medications. The main body unit 21 may store any drug regardless of the form of the container (e.g., PTP (Press Through Package) sheet, bottle, tube, or flask) for storing the drug. Also, the drugs may be stored in the cassette Ca stored in the main body unit 21 in the form of a medicine box for storing the above-mentioned drugs.

[0023] The main body unit 21 includes a cassette shelf 211 which is a medicine storage shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca. The cassette shelf 211 can store cassettes Ca of different sizes (types). The cassette Ca may be provided with a partition part (not shown) and may form a plurality of storage areas. Further, the cassette Ca may be provided with a barcode. The barcode includes, for example, cassette identification information for identifying the cassette Ca.

[0024] (Picking unit) The picking unit 22 is a device that enables an operator to handle the medicine stored in the main body unit 21. The picking unit 22 can function as a device for the operator to perform a picking operation of taking out a required number of medicines from the cassette. Further, the picking unit 22 can function as a device for the operator to perform a filling operation of filling the cassette Ca stored in the main body unit 21 with medicine. The operator may or may not have a qualification such as a pharmacist.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 1, two picking units 22 are provided along the width direction (±X-axis direction) of the main body unit 21 on the front side of the main body unit 21. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, one picking unit 22 may be provided, or three or more picking units 22 may be provided.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the picking unit 22 includes a medicine transfer part 220, a second barcode reader 222, a medicine placement table 223, a tray placement table 224, and a close button 225.

[0027] The drug transfer unit 220 enables an operator to take out drugs from the cassette Ca or to put drugs into the cassette Ca (enables the transfer of drugs by the operator). When a drug sheet (PTP sheet) containing a plurality of drugs is accommodated in the cassette Ca, the drug transfer unit 220 enables the whole or a part of the drug sheet to be taken out from the cassette Ca or the whole or a part of the drug sheet to be put into the cassette Ca.

[0028] The drug transfer unit 220 includes an opening and a shutter 221 which is an opening / closing part for opening and closing the opening. The opening enables an operator to access the cassette Ca transferred to the drug transfer unit 220 (take out or fill (put in) drugs). The shutter 221 is provided at the opening and controls the operator's access to the cassette Ca. The shutter 221 is normally in a closed state and becomes open when the cassette Ca is transferred to the drug transfer unit 220.

[0029] The shutter 221 may include a first shutter 221a that opens and closes in the Y-axis direction and a second shutter 221b that opens and closes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first shutter 221a (X-axis direction). With this configuration, the shutter 221 can be controlled to open and close so as to correspond to the size of the cassette Ca and the size of the accommodation area of the cassette Ca. By being opened and closed in this way, it becomes possible for the operator to access only the accommodation area containing the drug to be dispensed or filled.

[0030] For example, the first shutter 221a can be opened and closed in accordance with the whole cassette Ca or only one of the plurality of accommodation areas formed by the partition part. Also, for example, when a plurality of types of cassettes Ca having different widths (the length in the X-axis direction when the cassette Ca is positioned in the drug transfer unit 220) are used, the second shutter 221b can be opened and closed in accordance with the size of the cassette Ca.

[0031] The second barcode reader 222 is a device that reads a barcode attached to a drug, for example, when a filling operation of filling the cassette Ca with the drug is performed. In the present embodiment, the second barcode reader 222 is attached to a corner portion of the picking unit 22.

[0032] The barcode includes, for example, a GS1 code attached to the drug sheet itself, a package obtained by packaging (pillow packaging) drug sheets in plural units, a package obtained by pillow-packaging plural units of packaged powders, or a box containing the package. Further, the barcode may include, for example, a GS1 code attached to a box containing a drug (e.g., ointment, eye drops) that is not a drug sheet. The barcode only needs to include drug identification information (information indicating the type or name of the drug, or information that can refer to the type or name of the drug) for identifying the drug, and the GS1 code is an example thereof. As described above, the barcode may include the specified number of drugs, expiration date, lot number, etc. of the drugs pre-stored in the unopened drug sheet.

[0033] The drug placement table 223 is a placement portion on which drugs are placed in order to count the number of drugs. The drug placement table 223 can function as a fractional placement portion on which a fractional sheet is placed in order to count the number of drugs included in the fractional sheet.

[0034] The fractional sheet is a drug sheet having a shape cut out from the whole (full sheet) of a drug sheet having a specified shape. In the following description, the whole of the drug sheet may be referred to as a full sheet, and the fractional sheet and the full sheet may be collectively referred to as a drug sheet. The fractional sheet may be cut out from a full sheet taken out from the cassette Ca in the drug transfer unit 220, or may be taken out from the cassette Ca. Alternatively, the fractional sheet may be cut out from a full sheet taken out from a drug box dispensed from the storage device 1.

[0035] Note that a full sheet may be placed on the drug placement table 223. In this case, the drug placement table 223 functions as a fractional placement part on which the full sheet is placed to count the number of drugs included in the full sheet. One fractional sheet or a plurality of fractional sheets may be placed on the drug placement table 223. Similarly, one full sheet or a plurality of full sheets may be placed on the drug placement table 223.

[0036] In the drug placement table 223, for example, an image of a fractional sheet or a full sheet is captured. The control device 5 counts the number of drugs placed on the drug placement table 223 based on the shape of the image of the fractional sheet or the full sheet. The drug sheet placed on the drug placement table 223 and whose number of drugs has been counted is stored in a transport tray (not shown) placed on the tray placement table 224.

[0037] The tray placement table 224 is a table on which a transport tray into which the drugs taken out from the drug transfer part 220 are put is placed. Also, the tray placement table 224 can function as a drug placement part for placing drugs to count the number of drugs taken out from the drug transfer part 220. In the tray placement table 224, for example, the weight of the drugs is measured. In the tray placement table 224, for example, the weight of the full sheet is measured. The control device 5 counts the number of drugs based on the weight of the drugs. In the tray placement table 224, the weight of a combination of a fractional sheet and a full sheet may be measured.

[0038] The close button 225 is a mechanical button for closing the shutter 221 in an open state. When an operator presses the close button 225, the shutter 221 becomes a closed state.

[0039] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the drug station 2 includes a cassette transport part 23 that transports the cassette Ca stored in the cassette shelf 211 to the drug transfer part 220. The cassette transport part 23 also functions as a part that transports the cassette Ca located in the drug transfer part 220 to the cassette shelf 211.

[0040] For example, the control device 5 can collate the information of the barcode of the cassette Ca described above with the data stored in the storage unit 502 by reading the information. As a result, the cassette transport unit 23 can surely take out the cassette Ca containing the drug to be dispensed or the cassette Ca containing the drug to be filled from the cassette shelf 211. In addition, the cassette transport unit 23 can return the cassette Ca transported to the picking unit 22 to the original position on the cassette shelf 211.

[0041] (Display unit) The display unit 3 is a display device that displays various information related to the storage device 1 and the drug station 2, and can also function as an input device that receives input operations by an operator. As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 3 may include a first touch panel 31 and a second touch panel 32. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the first touch panel 31 is provided on the main body unit 21 of the drug station 2, and the second touch panel 32 is provided on the picking unit 22 of the drug station 2.

[0042] The first touch panel 31 can function as a main display device or input device. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a main image (main screen) displayed on the first touch panel 31. FIG. 7 shows an example of a sequential dispensing image (sequential dispensing screen) IM101 as an example of the main image. FIG. 7 shows a display state when the sequential dispensing of drugs is temporarily stopped as an example of the sequential dispensing image. During the sequential dispensing of drugs, the input operation to the box inventory confirmation button A21 (described later) cannot be received (is inactive), and during the temporary stop of the sequential dispensing of drugs, the input operation to the box inventory confirmation button A21 can be received (is active).

[0043] The sequential dispensing image IM101 is an image that displays information related to sequential dispensing (e.g., patient name and drug name indicated in the received prescription data). The sequential dispensing image IM101 includes a menu display area A11. The menu display area A11 is an area that displays various menu buttons. In this example, in the menu display area A11, a sequential dispensing button A111, an individual dispensing button A112, a filling button A113, a statistics / history inquiry button A114, and a master registration button A115 are displayed. Through the input operations of the operator who selects these buttons, the control device 5 can perform various controls according to the operator's selection.

[0044] The second touch panel 32 can function as a sub-display device or input device. The second touch panel 32 displays, for example, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the types and quantities of drugs to be taken out from the drug delivery unit 220. Also, the second touch panel 32 may receive an input operation for designating the type of drug to be filled or the cassette Ca containing the drug during drug filling. The image displayed on the second touch panel 32 may be referred to as a sub-image (sub-screen).

[0045] (Label output device) The label output device 4 is a device that outputs a label to be affixed to an un-stored drug cassette that is not stored in the storage device 1 for storing drug cassettes. The label output from the label output device 4 is affixed by the operator on top of the barcode originally attached to the un-stored drug cassette. Thereby, the control device 5 can manage information regarding the drugs contained in the un-stored drug cassette.

[0046] The un-stored drug cassette may be a drug cassette that has not been returned to the storage device 1 after being dispensed from the storage device 1. The drug cassette may be a drug cassette dispensed from the storage device 1 and may be an opened drug cassette (odd-lot cassette) containing the remaining drugs after a part of the drugs to be dispensed contained in the drug cassette has been taken out. However, the un-stored drug cassette may also be an unopened drug cassette.

[0047] The label includes, for example, a drug name and a barcode. The barcode included in the label includes, for example, drug cabinet identification information. The drug cabinet identification information is information for identifying an unstocked drug cabinet. Therefore, the barcode included in the label can also be referred to as a cabinet identification barcode for identifying a drug cabinet. The cabinet identification barcode is read by the first barcode reader 121 and the second barcode reader 222. That is, the first barcode reader 121 and the second barcode reader 222 function as a reading unit for reading drug cabinet identification information from an unstocked drug cabinet.

[0048] As unstocked drug cabinets, there may be a plurality of drug cabinets that store the same type of drug and have the same number of stored drugs. The drug cabinet identification information is unique information assigned to each unstocked drug cabinet so that the control unit 501 can separately distinguish and manage each unstocked drug cabinet even when there are a plurality of such unstocked drug cabinets.

[0049] (Control device) The control device 5 is a device that can comprehensively control each device included in the drug dispensing system 100. The control device 5 includes, for example, a control unit 501 and a storage unit 502. However, the storage unit 502 may be configured independently of the control device 5 as a storage device that can be communicatively connected to the control device 5.

[0050] The control device 5 can set either a first mode that manages the retrieval of drugs to be dispensed from an unstocked drug cabinet preferentially over the storage device 1 or a second mode that does not manage the retrieval from an unstocked drug cabinet as a mode for managing the retrieval of drugs to be dispensed. In this embodiment, mainly, the processing when set to the first mode will be described.

[0051] The control unit 501 includes, for example, a storage device control unit 51, a drug station control unit 52, a management unit 53, a management determination unit 54, a determination unit 55, a quantity determination unit 56, a verification unit 57, an output control unit 58, and a touch panel control unit 59.

[0052] The storage device control unit 51 can control each part included in the storage device 1. The storage device control unit 51 includes, for example, a dispensing control unit 511 that controls the dispensing of drugs from the storage device 1.

[0053] The drug station control unit 52 can control each part included in the drug station 2. The drug station control unit 52 includes, for example, a conveyance control unit 521 and a shutter control unit 522.

[0054] The conveyance control unit 521 controls the conveyance of the cassette Ca in the drug station 2 by controlling the cassette conveyance unit 23. The shutter control unit 522 controls the operation of the shutter 221 of the picking unit 22. For example, after the conveyance control unit 521 conveys the cassette Ca to the drug transfer unit 220, the shutter control unit 522 opens the shutter 221 in accordance with the storage position of the drug to be dispensed. With this configuration, the operator can take out the drug to be dispensed from the cassette Ca. The shutter control unit 522 may open the shutter 221, for example, when a sensor (not shown) provided in the drug transfer unit 220 detects the presence of the cassette Ca at the opening.

[0055] In this way, the control device 5 controls each part included in the storage device 1 and / or the drug station 2. Thereby, the control device 5 can perform sequential dispensing control for dispensing drugs in accordance with the order of the prescription data received by the control device 5, individual dispensing control for individually dispensing drugs separately from the sequential dispensing, filling control when filling the drug station 2 with drugs, and the like.

[0056] For example, when an operator sequentially selects the dispensing button A111 in the menu display area A11, the control device 5 performs control for sequential dispensing based on the prescription data. The drug dispensing system 100 sequentially dispenses drugs from the storage device 1 and / or the drug station 2 based on the prescription data. The operator takes out drugs from the drug cassette put into the input box 14 from the storage device 1 and / or the cassette Ca transferred from the main body unit 21 to the picking unit 22, and puts them into the transport tray placed on the tray placement table 224. The drugs stored in the transport tray are subject to visual inspection by medical staff such as pharmacists.

[0057] In addition, the control device 5 counts the number of drugs placed on the drug placement table 223 and / or the tray placement table 224. The control device 5 determines whether the number of placed drugs matches the number of drugs to be placed on the drug placement table 223 and / or the tray placement table 224. The touch panel control unit 59 may display on the second touch panel 32 that they match when they match, and that they do not match when they do not match, for example. Thereby, the operator can determine whether the number of drugs finally placed on the transport tray is appropriate.

[0058] When the operator presses the close button 225, the shutter control unit 522 closes the shutter 221 that was in the open state to enable the taking out of drugs from the cassette Ca located in the drug transfer unit 220. Then, the transport control unit 521 controls the cassette transport unit 23 to transport the cassette Ca containing the next drug to be dispensed to the drug transfer unit 220. In addition, the shutter control unit 522 opens the shutter 221 so that the operator can access only the storage area of the cassette Ca that contains the drug to be dispensed.

[0059] The management unit 53 manages information regarding the storage device 1, the drug station 2, and the un-stored drug cassettes.

[0060] The management unit 53 manages, as information regarding the drug station 2, for example, information regarding a plurality of types of drugs stored in the drug station 2. The management unit 53 manages the information regarding the drug station 2, for example, by storing a drug database (drug master) that stores the information in the storage unit 502.

[0061] The information regarding the drug may include, for example, information included in the barcode read by the second barcode reader 222. The information includes, for example, information indicating the type of drug, expiration date, use-by date, and lot number. The expiration date is information provided by a pharmaceutical manufacturer or the like and is the deadline by which the drug can be safely used. The use-by date is the deadline set by the operator by which the drug should be used up and includes the deadline newly set for the non-stored drug box.

[0062] Further, the management unit 53 stores and manages, as information regarding the drug station 2, for example, the information shown in the following (1) to (3) in the storage unit 502. (1) Data associating the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca with the storage position of the cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 211. (2) Data associating the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca (or the storage position information indicating the storage position in the cassette Ca) with the information indicating the type of drug. (3) Type information indicating the type of each cassette Ca.

[0063] In addition, the management unit 53 has a function of storing and managing in the storage unit 502 the inventory quantity of the drugs stored in the drug station 2. In the present embodiment, the management unit 53 stores and manages the inventory quantity of the drugs in the drug station 2 in association with the information indicating the type of drug (e.g., drug identification information such as a GS1 code) in the DS inventory table TA2.

[0064] The management unit 53 updates the DS inventory table TA2 by subtracting the number of the drug taken out determined by the determination unit 55 from the inventory number of the drug to be dispensed at the drug station 2. Further, when the management unit 53 receives the input of the type of the drug filled in the drug station 2 and the number thereof, the management unit 53 updates the DS inventory table TA2 by adding the number of the drug to the inventory number of the drug at the drug station 2.

[0065] As information regarding the storage device 1, the management unit 53 manages, for example, information regarding the medicine boxes stored in the storage device 1 (for example, information regarding the medicine contained in the medicine box (second medicine information)). The management unit 53 manages the information regarding the storage device 1, for example, by storing a medicine database for storing the information in the storage unit 502.

[0066] The information regarding the medicine may include, for example, information included in the barcode read by the first barcode reader 121 or the second barcode reader 222. The information may include, for example, information indicating the type of the medicine contained in the medicine box (e.g., GS1 code), the specified number or the remaining number, the expiration date and / or the use-by date, and the lot number. Further, the information regarding the medicine may include, for example, information indicating the storage location of the medicine box and information indicating the dispensing date and time of the medicine box. Note that the specified number and the remaining number may be collectively referred to as the second accommodation number. The second accommodation number is the accommodation number of the medicine contained in the medicine box stored in the storage device 1.

[0067] That is, the management unit 53 has a function of managing the second accommodation number. This means that the management unit 53 has a function of managing the inventory number of the medicine stored in the storage device 1. The management unit 53 stores and manages information in which information indicating the type of the medicine and second accommodation number information are associated in the box inventory table TA1. Thereby, the management unit 53 can manage the inventory number in the storage device 1 for each type of the medicine.

[0068] For example, when a medicine box is dispensed from the storage device 1 based on the number of medicines (dispensing quantity) determined by the determination unit 55, the management unit 53 updates the box inventory table TA1. Also, when a medicine box is dispensed from the storage device 1 during filling of the drug station 2 with medicine, the management unit 53 updates the box inventory table TA1. Specifically, the management unit 53 subtracts the total number of medicines contained in the dispensed medicine box from the inventory quantity of the medicines in the storage device 1 in the box inventory table TA1. Further, when the first barcode reader 121 reads the barcode attached to the medicine box, the management unit 53 also updates the box inventory table TA1. Specifically, the management unit 53 adds the total number of medicines contained in the medicine box to the inventory quantity of the medicines in the storage device 1 in the box inventory table TA1.

[0069] The management unit 53 manages information regarding the medicines contained in the un-stored medicine box (first medicine information) as information regarding the un-stored medicine box. As information regarding this medicine, the management unit 53 stores, for example, related information associating information indicating the type of medicine, medicine box identification information, and first accommodation quantity information.

[0070] The management unit 53 manages the related information in a temporary inventory table TA3 that temporarily manages the related information. The management unit 53 stores, for example, the first accommodation quantity of the medicines contained in the un-stored medicine box input by the operator in the temporary inventory table TA3 in association with information indicating the type of the medicine. Also, upon storing the first accommodation quantity, the management unit 53 assigns medicine box identification information to, for example, the information indicating the type of the medicine. Thereby, the management unit 53 generates related information.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 7, the sequential payout image IM101 includes a box inventory confirmation button A21. The box inventory confirmation button A21 is a button for the management unit 53 to execute a process for managing unstocked medicine boxes. When an operator presses the box inventory confirmation button A21, the touch panel control unit 59 causes a reading promotion image (reading promotion screen) IM102 shown in FIG. 8 to be displayed on the first touch panel 31. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the reading promotion image IM102 displayed on the first touch panel 31.

[0072] In a state where the reading promotion image IM102 is displayed, the operator causes the second barcode reader 222 (see FIG. 6) of the drag station 2 to read the barcode attached to the unstocked medicine box. The touch panel control unit 59 displays the information included in the barcode read by the second barcode reader 222. For example, the touch panel control unit 59 causes a remaining quantity input image (remaining quantity input screen) IM103 shown in FIG. 8 to be displayed on the first touch panel 31. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining quantity input image IM103 displayed on the first touch panel 31.

[0073] Here, unless a label is attached to the unstocked medicine box, the barcode read by the second barcode reader 222 is the barcode originally attached to the unstocked medicine box (the barcode attached to the medicine box before opening). Therefore, the first accommodation quantity (denoted as "inventory quantity" in FIG. 8) shown in the remaining quantity input image IM103 is the number of medicines contained in the unopened medicine box, that is, the specified quantity. In the example of FIG. 8, 100 of the specified quantity is input as the first accommodation quantity.

[0074] Therefore, the operator inputs the number (remaining quantity) of drugs actually stored in the drug box as the first storage quantity shown in the remaining quantity input image IM103. For example, when the number of drugs actually stored in the unstocked drug box is 30, the operator changes the first storage quantity of 100 shown in the remaining quantity input image IM103 to 30. After that, when the operator presses the confirmation button A31, the management unit 53 stores, in the temporary inventory table TA3, the related information in which the first storage quantity indicating the remaining quantity input by the operator is associated with the type of drug stored in the unstocked drug box and the drug box identification information as unique information for the unstocked drug box.

[0075] In addition, the management unit 53 may store, in the temporary inventory table TA3, the information included in the barcode read by, for example, the first barcode reader 121 or the second barcode reader 222. The information may include, for example, information indicating the type of drug (e.g., GS1 code), the expiration date and / or the use-by date, and the lot number.

[0076] When the management determination unit 54 receives a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, it functions as a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked drug box based on the first drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, which is managed by the management unit 53. When the management determination unit 54 receives a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, it refers to the temporary inventory table TA3 to determine whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked drug box.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the management determination unit 54 determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked drug box based on the first storage quantity for the drug to be dispensed. For example, the management determination unit 54 determines whether the first storage quantity for the drug to be dispensed indicates a predetermined number or more. When the first storage quantity for each of the plurality of unstocked drug boxes storing the drug to be dispensed is stored in the temporary inventory table TA3, the management determination unit 54 determines whether the first storage quantity of any of the unstocked drug boxes indicates a predetermined number or more.

[0078] Further, the management determination unit 54 functions as a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the storage device 1 of the drug to be dispensed based on the second drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, which is managed by the management unit 53. When receiving a dispensing instruction for the drug to be dispensed, the management determination unit 54 refers to the temporary inventory table TA3 and the box inventory table TA1 to determine whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from an unstocked drug box and whether it is possible to dispense the drug from the storage device 1.

[0079] In the present embodiment, the management determination unit 54 determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the storage device 1 based on the second storage quantity managed by the management unit 53. For example, the management determination unit 54 determines whether the first storage quantity for the drug to be dispensed indicates a predetermined number or more and whether the second storage quantity indicates a predetermined number or more. When the second storage quantity for each of the plurality of drug boxes storing the drug to be dispensed is stored in the box inventory table TA1, the management determination unit 54 determines whether the second storage quantity of any of the drug boxes indicates a predetermined number or more.

[0080] Further, the management determination unit 54 functions as a determination unit that determines whether the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed in the drug station 2 managed by the management unit 53 is equal to or greater than a specified number for the drug to be dispensed. When receiving a dispensing instruction for the drug to be dispensed, the management determination unit 54 refers to the DS inventory table TA2 to determine whether the inventory quantity of the drug is equal to or greater than a specified number.

[0081] When the management determination unit 54 determines that it is possible to dispense the drug from an unstocked drug box for the drug to be dispensed, the determination unit 55 determines the unstocked drug box as the extraction destination of the drug to be dispensed. In the present embodiment, when the management determination unit 54 determines that the first storage quantity indicates a predetermined number or more, the determination unit 55 determines the unstocked drug box as the extraction destination of the drug to be dispensed. When the management determination unit 54 determines that the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed in the drug station 2 is less than the specified number, the determination unit 55 determines at least the unstocked drug box as the extraction destination of the drug to be dispensed.

[0082] Also, consider a case where the management determination unit 54 determines that for the drug to be dispensed, it can be dispensed from the un-stored medicine box based on the first drug information, and can also be dispensed from the storage device 1 based on the second drug information. In this case, the determination unit 55 preferentially determines the un-stored medicine box as the above-mentioned retrieval destination over the storage device 1. In the present embodiment, when the management determination unit 54 determines that both the first storage quantity and the second storage quantity for the drug to be dispensed are equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the un-stored medicine box is preferentially determined as the above-mentioned retrieval destination over the storage device 1.

[0083] Also, the determination unit 55 determines the number of drugs to be dispensed (retrieved) from the storage device 1, the drug station 2, and / or the un-stored medicine box. The determination unit 55 may determine the number of medicine boxes to be dispensed from the storage device 1. The determination unit 55 determines the number of drugs to be retrieved from the drug station 2 as the first retrieval quantity, determines the number of drugs to be retrieved from the un-stored medicine box as the second retrieval quantity, and determines the number of drugs to be retrieved from the storage device 1 as the third retrieval quantity.

[0084] The quantity determination unit 56 determines whether the first storage quantity associated with the medicine box identification information read by the second barcode reader 222 for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the shortage quantity, which is the number of remaining drugs to be retrieved from the medicine box. When the medicine box identification information read by the second barcode reader 222 matches the medicine box identification information managed by the management unit 53 as a result of the collation by the collation unit 57, the quantity determination unit 56 performs the above-mentioned determination process.

[0085] The above-mentioned shortage quantity at most indicates the first retrieval remaining quantity, which is the difference between the specified number and the inventory quantity. Each time the control unit 501 specifies the first storage quantity corresponding to the medicine box identification information as a result of the collation by the collation unit 57, the control unit 501 reduces the shortage quantity by the amount of the first storage quantity. As a result, when the control unit 501 can recognize that drugs corresponding to the first retrieval remaining quantity are retrieved from the un-stored medicine box, the control unit 501 sets the shortage quantity to 0.

[0086] The verification unit 57 verifies whether the medicine box identification information read by the second barcode reader 222 matches the medicine box identification information managed by the management unit 53. The verification unit 57 verifies whether the medicine box identification information read by the second barcode reader 222 matches the medicine box identification information stored in the temporary inventory table TA3. The verification unit 57 performs the above verification process when the unstocked medicine box is included in the picking destination of the medicine to be dispensed.

[0087] The output control unit 58 can be communicably connected to the label output device 4 and causes the label output device 4 to output a label including the box identification barcode. When receiving an instruction to output a label to be pasted on the unstocked medicine box from the operator, the output control unit 58 outputs a label with the box identification barcode attached. For example, when the operator presses the confirmation button A31 of the remaining quantity input image IM103, the output control unit 58 outputs a label including the box identification barcode.

[0088] As described above, the operator overlays and pastes the label output from the label output device 4 on the barcode originally attached to the unstocked medicine box. By pasting the label output by the label output device 4 on the unstocked medicine box, the second barcode reader 222 can obtain medicine box identification information (medicine box identification information not attached at the time of medicine packaging) from the box identification barcode of the label attached to the unstocked medicine box instead of the information included in the barcode. Thereby, the management unit 53 and the quantity determination unit 56 can recognize the first accommodation number associated with the medicine box identification information based on the medicine box identification information acquired by the second barcode reader 222 and the related information stored in the temporary inventory table TA3.

[0089] In addition, the first barcode reader 121 can acquire medicine cabinet identification information from the cabinet identification barcode attached to the unstocked medicine cabinet instead of the information contained in the barcode. As a result, the management unit 53 can recognize the first storage quantity associated with the medicine cabinet identification information based on the medicine cabinet identification information acquired by the first barcode reader 121 and the related information stored in the temporary inventory table TA3. Therefore, for the medicines stored in the unstocked medicine cabinet to be stored in the storage device 1, the second storage quantity (inventory quantity) can be managed based on the remaining quantity instead of the specified quantity.

[0090] When the label is not pasted on top of the barcode that was originally attached, even though the label is pasted, the information contained in the barcode can still be read. In order to reduce the possibility of the information contained in the barcode being read when the label is attached, the control unit 501 may perform the following processing. For example, when the control unit 501 acquires the information contained in the barcode after the label output device 4 outputs the label, it may notify a reading error or guide the user to read the cabinet identification barcode of the label.

[0091] The touch panel control unit 59 controls the display of various information on the first touch panel 31 and / or the second touch panel 32 provided in the display unit 3. In addition, the touch panel control unit 59 acquires the information input via the first touch panel 31 and / or the second touch panel 32. Instead of displaying various information on the display unit 3, the touch panel control unit 59 may cause various information to be notified from a notification device such as a speaker (not shown).

[0092] The touch panel control unit 59 includes a notification control unit 591. For example, consider a case where the collation unit 57 determines that the medicine cabinet identification information read by the second barcode reader 222 does not match the medicine cabinet identification information stored in the temporary inventory table TA3. In this case, the notification control unit 591 functions as a second notification control unit that notifies that the un-stored medicine cabinet targeted by the second barcode reader 222 is not a medicine cabinet that stores the medicine to be dispensed. The notification control unit 591 may display, for example, on the second touch panel 32, a display including this notification content. For example, the notification control unit 591 may display the re-reading image (re-reading screen) IM205 of FIG. 13.

[0093] Also, for example, the notification control unit 591 notifies that there is an un-stored storage box waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1. The notification control unit 591 may display, on the first touch panel 31, a display including this notification content. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the notification control unit 591 may sequentially display a re-stocking waiting button A22 on the sequential dispensing image IM101. The re-stocking waiting button A22 is a button for displaying a re-stocking waiting list, which is a list of information regarding the medicine waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1.

[0094] When there is even one un-stored medicine cabinet waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1, the notification control unit 591 displays the re-stocking waiting button A22 in the sequential dispensing image IM101. On the other hand, when there is no un-stored medicine cabinet waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1, the notification control unit 591 does not display the re-stocking waiting button A22 in the sequential dispensing image IM101. That is, the re-stocking waiting button A22 is displayed only when there is an un-stored medicine cabinet waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1.

[0095] Also, when there is no un-stored medicine box waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1, and the output control unit 58 causes the label output device 4 to output a label, the notification control unit 591 may display the re-stocking waiting button A22. The timing at which the notification control unit 591 displays the re-stocking waiting button A22 is not limited to this. For example, it may be when the management unit 53 stores related information in the temporary inventory table TA3 in a state where the related information is not stored in the temporary inventory table TA3. This storage may be performed, for example, when the touch panel control unit 59 receives an input operation on the confirmation button A31 of the remaining quantity input image IM103.

[0096] By sequentially displaying the re-stocking waiting button A22 on the dispensing image IM101, it is possible to notify the operator that there is an un-stored medicine box waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1. As a result, the operator can recognize that the medicine box dispensed from the storage device 1 has not been returned to the storage device 1. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the operator to return the un-stored medicine box dispensed from the storage device 1 to the storage device 1.

[0097] In the above-described first mode, the notification control unit 591 displays the re-stocking waiting button A22 when related information regarding at least one un-stored medicine box is stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 and the control unit 501 is set to the control mode in which sequential dispensing control is performed. In the above-described second mode, the notification control unit 591 displays the re-stocking waiting button A22 when related information regarding at least one un-stored medicine box is stored in the temporary inventory table TA3.

[0098] When the operator presses the re-stocking waiting button A22, the notification control unit 591 creates and displays a re-stocking waiting list by referring to the temporary inventory table TA3 and the information regarding the medicine. The re-stocking waiting list is a list showing information regarding the un-stored medicine boxes waiting for re-stocking in the storage device 1.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a waiting list image (waiting list screen) IM104 displayed on the first touch panel 31. As shown in the waiting list image IM104, the restocking waiting list displays, for example, drug name, specified quantity (displayed as "quantity received" in FIG. 9), first storage quantity (displayed as "stock quantity" in FIG. 9), dispensing date and time, lot number, and expiration date. The restocking waiting list only needs to include information that can identify at least the type of drug waiting for restocking into the storage device 1. Also, the information shown in the restocking waiting list may be managed in the temporary inventory table TA3.

[0100] As described above, the drug box identification information is unique information for an unstocked drug box. Therefore, even for the same type of drug, such as the drug name "AAB 100mg" shown in FIG. 9, if the unstocked drug boxes containing the drug are different, they are displayed as different information.

[0101] Also, the waiting list image IM104 includes a search input area A41 and a delete button A42. When character input to the search input area A41 is received, the control unit 501 displays only the information related to the drug containing the character. Also, when an input operation on the delete button A42 is received in a state where at least one of the information related to the displayed drug is selected, the control unit 501 deletes the information related to the drug from the temporary inventory table TA3 and the restocking waiting list. Further, the control unit 501 may receive an editing operation of the first storage quantity in a state where the waiting list image IM104 is displayed.

[0102] For example, when an operator combines the drugs stored in a plurality of unstocked medicine boxes into one medicine box, or when a change occurs in the first storage quantity of the unstocked medicine box, the control unit 501 can receive an editing operation of information associated with the change in the standby list image IM104. As a result, the management unit 53 can update the first storage quantity in the temporary inventory table TA3 and the restocking standby list. Thereby, the management unit 53 can store the number of drugs actually stored in the unstocked medicine box as the first storage quantity in the temporary inventory table TA3. Also, for an unstocked medicine box whose first storage quantity has become 0, the management unit 53 can delete the information regarding the unstocked medicine box from the temporary inventory table TA3 and the restocking standby list.

[0103] In addition, the control unit 501 may receive an input operation for issuing a label to the label output device 4 while the standby list image IM104 is being displayed. In this case, in the state where the standby list image IM104 is being displayed, the output control unit 58 can control the label output device 4 to issue a label. Also, the control unit 501 may receive an input operation for outputting the restocking standby list while the standby list image IM104 is being displayed. In this case, the control unit 501 can control, for example, a printing device (not shown) to print the restocking standby list.

[0104] When restocking an unstocked medicine box into the storage device 1, the operator inserts the unstocked medicine box with a label attached into the receiving unit 12 of the storage device 1. The first barcode reader 121 reads the box identification barcode included in the label attached to the unstocked medicine box inserted into the receiving unit 12. After the first barcode reader 121 reads the box identification barcode, the storage device control unit 51 controls the conveying unit 13 to store the unstocked medicine box in the storage shelf 11.

[0105] Also, when the first barcode reader 121 reads the box identification barcode included in the label, the management unit 53 may delete the related information including the drug box identification information acquired by the first barcode reader 121 from the storage unit 502. Specifically, the management unit 53 deletes the related information including the drug box identification information acquired by the first barcode reader 121 from the temporary inventory table TA3. Thereby, the information of the un-stored drug box for which the re-stocking to the storage device 1 has been completed is deleted from the temporary inventory table TA3. Therefore, the notification control unit 591 deletes the information of the un-stored drug box for which the re-stocking to the storage device 1 has been completed from the re-stocking waiting list shown in the waiting list image IM104. Therefore, only the existence of the un-stored drug box that may be left outside the storage device 1 can be recognized by the operator.

[0106] In addition, when the management unit 53 deletes the related information from the temporary inventory table TA3, the management unit 53 adds the first storage quantity corresponding to the related information to the inventory quantity of the drug corresponding to the related information and stores it in the box inventory table TA1. Thereby, the inventory quantity of the drug in the storage device 1 can be managed including the first storage quantity of the drug included in the un-stored drug box returned to the storage device 1.

[0107] Also, the box identification barcode output by the label output device 4 may include, for example, information indicating the type of drug stored in the drug box (e.g., GS1 code), the first storage quantity input via the remaining quantity input image IM103, the expiration date, and the lot number. In this case, the management unit 53 can manage the information regarding the drug based on the information included in the box identification barcode read by the first barcode reader 121.

[0108] The storage unit 502 stores, for example, various programs used by the control device 5 and the various information described above. The storage unit 502 stores the various information described above, for example, by the above-described box inventory table TA1, DS inventory table TA2, temporary inventory table TA3, and drug database.

[0109] <Control Example of Control Device> (Example of Determining the Withdrawal Location of the Drug to be Dispensed) FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process related to determining the withdrawal location of the drug to be dispensed. The flowchart of FIG. 10 shows an example of the process related to the above determination when sequential dispensing control is performed. In FIG. 10, the drug station 2 is shown as "DS".

[0110] When receiving a dispensing instruction for the drug to be dispensed (S1), the management determination unit 54 refers to the DS inventory table TA2 to determine whether the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed at the drug station 2 is equal to or greater than the specified quantity (S2). When the management determination unit 54 determines that the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed at the drug station 2 is equal to or greater than the specified quantity (YES in S2), the determination unit 55 determines the drug station 2 as the withdrawal location of the drug to be dispensed (S3). Also, the determination unit 55 determines the first withdrawal quantity, which is the quantity of the drug to be withdrawn from the drug station 2 (S4). In this case, the determination unit 55 determines the first withdrawal quantity as the specified quantity. The management unit 53 updates the inventory quantity stored in the DS inventory table TA2 by subtracting the first withdrawal quantity from the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed at the drug station 2.

[0111] When the management determination unit 54 determines that the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed at the drug station 2 is less than the specified quantity (NO in S2), it refers to the temporary inventory table TA3 to determine whether the first accommodation quantity of the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than a predetermined quantity (S5). When the management determination unit 54 determines that the first accommodation quantity of the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the predetermined quantity (YES in S5), the determination unit 55 determines at least the un-stored medicine box as the withdrawal location of the drug to be dispensed (S6). When there are a plurality of un-stored medicine boxes for which it is determined that the first accommodation quantity is equal to or greater than the predetermined quantity, the determination unit 55 may determine all the un-stored medicine boxes as the withdrawal location of the drug to be dispensed.

[0112] Next, the management determination unit 54 refers to the DS inventory table TA2 and the temporary inventory table TA3 to determine whether the total of the inventory quantity at the drug station 2 and the total number of the first accommodation quantities for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the specified number (S7). When the management determination unit 54 determines that the total of the inventory quantity and the total number of the first accommodation quantities for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the specified number (YES in S7), the determination unit 55 determines the first withdrawal quantity and the second withdrawal quantity, which is the number of drugs to be withdrawn from the unstocked medicine boxes (S8).

[0113] When the management determination unit 54 determines that the total of the inventory quantity and the total number of the first accommodation quantities for the drug to be dispensed is less than the specified number (NO in S7), it refers to the box inventory table TA1 to determine whether the total number of the second accommodation quantities for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S9). When the management determination unit 54 determines that the total number of the second accommodation quantities for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (YES in S9), it determines at least the storage device as the withdrawal destination for the drug to be dispensed (S10).

[0114] Next, the management determination unit 54 refers to the box inventory table TA1, the DS inventory table TA2, and the temporary inventory table TA3. Thereby, the management determination unit 54 determines whether the total of the inventory quantity at the drug station 2, the total number of the first accommodation quantities, and the total number of the second accommodation quantities for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the specified number (S11).

[0115] When the management determination unit 54 determines that the total of the inventory quantity, the total number of the first accommodation quantities, and the total number of the second accommodation quantities for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the specified number (YES in S11), the determination unit 55 performs the following processing. The determination unit 55 determines the first withdrawal quantity, the second withdrawal quantity, and the third withdrawal quantity, which is the number of drugs to be withdrawn from the storage device 1 (S12).

[0116] When the management determination unit 54 determines that the total of the inventory quantity in the drug station 2, the total number of the first accommodation quantity, and the total number of the second accommodation quantity is less than the specified number for the drug to be dispensed (NO in S11), the notification control unit 591 performs the following process. The notification control unit 591 notifies that it is impossible to take out the drugs to be dispensed in the specified number from any of the drug station 2, the unstocked drug box, and the storage device 1 (S13).

[0117] As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 10, the determination unit 55 determines the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed in the order of the drug station 2, the unstocked drug box, and the storage device 1. Therefore, when the drug to be dispensed is out of stock or not stored in the drug station 2, the operator can be made to take out the drug from the unstocked drug box prior to the dispensing of the drug box from the storage device 1.

[0118] Every time the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed in the drug station 2 is less than the specified number and at least one drug box from which the insufficient amount of the drug can be dispensed is taken out from the storage device 1, there is a possibility that the opened unstocked drug box (fractional box) increases. Although the unstocked drug box can be decreased by re-storing the drug box taken out from the storage device 1 in the storage device 1, there may be a case where the operator does not perform the re-storage of the unstocked drug box. For example, when the storage device 1 and the drug station 2 are arranged at relatively distant positions, there may be a case where the operator does not perform the re-storage of the unstocked drug box.

[0119] As described above, when the determination unit 55 determines the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed to the unstocked drug box prior to the storage device 1, the possibility of reducing the number of drug boxes to be taken out from the storage device 1 when there is an unstocked drug box for accommodating the drug to be dispensed is increased. Therefore, the possibility of the increase in the unstocked drug box can be reduced.

[0120] In addition, the management unit 53 manages information on the drugs stored in the unstocked medicine boxes in the temporary inventory table TA3. When the management determination unit 54 determines based on this information that it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked medicine box, the determination unit 55 determines the unstocked medicine box as the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. For example, when the management determination unit 54 determines that the first storage quantity of the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it determines that it is possible to dispense the drug from the unstocked medicine box of the drug to be dispensed.

[0121] Therefore, when information on the drug (for example, the first storage quantity) regarding the unstocked medicine box storing the drug to be dispensed is not managed by the temporary inventory table TA3, the control unit 501 does not determine the unstocked medicine box as the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. Accordingly, in a situation where the unstocked medicine box is not determined as the dispensing destination, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed is taken out by the operator from the unstocked medicine box. For example, by allowing the control unit 501 to recognize this situation by the operator, this possibility can be reduced.

[0122] In this way, the control unit 501 can reduce the possibility of an increase in unstocked medicine boxes and can also reduce the possibility that a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed is taken out from the unstocked medicine box.

[0123] (Regarding the predetermined number) The predetermined number (referred to as the first predetermined number) to be compared with the first storage quantity and the predetermined number (referred to as the second predetermined number) to be compared with the second storage quantity may be set for each type of drug. In addition, the first predetermined number and the second predetermined number can be arbitrarily set by the operator in consideration of the drug withdrawal efficiency from the medicine box, etc. For example, they may be set to 1, or may be set to a value of 2 or more. The first predetermined number and the second storage quantity may be set to the same value or may be set to different values.

[0124] For example, regarding the drug stored as a drug sheet in the drug box, the first predetermined number and the second predetermined number may be set to a value equal to or greater than the number of drugs defined in one drug sheet (full sheet) (for example, 10 tablets). Neither the temporary inventory table TA3 nor the box inventory table TA1 manages whether the drug sheet stored in the drug box is a full sheet or a fractional sheet. Therefore, even if a value equal to or greater than the number of drugs defined in one full sheet is stored as the first storage number or the second storage number, it is possible that the drug box does not contain a full sheet but only a plurality of fractional sheets. In such a case, even if the operator wants to take out a full sheet from an unstocked drug box or a drug box dispensed from the storage device 1, it cannot be taken out.

[0125] When the first predetermined number is set to a value equal to or greater than the number of drugs defined in one full sheet (for example, a multiple of the number of the drugs), the possibility of taking out a full sheet from an unstocked drug box can be increased. Similarly, when the second predetermined number is set to a value equal to or greater than the number of drugs defined in one full sheet (for example, a multiple of the number of the drugs), the possibility of taking out a full sheet from a drug box dispensed from the storage device 1 can be increased.

[0126] (Example of determining the number of drugs to be dispensed) In sequential dispensing, when the inventory number of the drug to be dispensed stored in the drug station 2 is less than the specified number specified in the prescription data, the determination unit 55 may determine the second withdrawal number and the third withdrawal number as follows.

[0127] Regarding the determination process of the number of withdrawals performed by the determination unit 55, the operator can select either (i) a process of preferentially dispensing the drug to be dispensed stored in the drug station 2, or (ii) a process of preferentially dispensing the drug to be dispensed stored in the non-stored drug cassette. The operator can input an instruction on which of (i) and (ii) to select as part of the setting conditions for the operation of the device via, for example, the first touch panel 31. In sequential dispensing, in both cases of (i) and (ii) settings, the conveyance control unit 521 controls the cassette conveyance unit 23 to convey the cassette Ca containing the drug to be dispensed to the drug transfer unit 220.

[0128] (Regarding the case of (i) above) For example, in S8 of FIG. 10, the determination unit 55 determines the inventory quantity in the drug station 2 as the first withdrawal quantity for the drug to be dispensed, and determines the first remaining withdrawal quantity, which is the difference between the specified quantity and the inventory quantity, as the second withdrawal quantity. Also, for example, in S12 of FIG. 10 (when YES in S5 of FIG. 10), the determination unit 55 determines the above inventory quantity as the first withdrawal quantity, and determines the first remaining withdrawal quantity as the sum of the second withdrawal quantity and the third withdrawal quantity. In this case, the determination unit 55 may determine the total number of the first accommodation quantities stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 as the second withdrawal quantity, and determine the difference between the first remaining withdrawal quantity and the second withdrawal quantity as the third withdrawal quantity. When NO in S5, the determination unit 55 sets the second withdrawal quantity to 0 and determines the first remaining withdrawal quantity as the third withdrawal quantity.

[0129] In the case of S12, the dispensing control unit 511 controls the conveying unit 13 to dispense from the storage device 1 into the input box 14 the number of medicine boxes that can dispense the number of medicines of the third withdrawal quantity. The storage device control unit 51, for example, when dividing the third withdrawal quantity by the specified number of medicine boxes containing the medicine to be dispensed and the division results in an integer (remainder 0), determines the quotient value as the number of medicine boxes that can withdraw the number of medicines of the third withdrawal quantity. Further, the storage device control unit 51, for example, when there is a remainder when dividing the third withdrawal quantity by the specified number of medicine boxes containing the medicine to be dispensed, determines the value obtained by adding 1 to the quotient value as the number of medicine boxes that can dispense the number of medicines of the third withdrawal quantity. The determination process of the number of medicine boxes may be executed by the determination unit 55.

[0130] For example, assume that the specified number for the medicine to be dispensed is 45, the inventory quantity of the medicine to be dispensed at the drug station 2 is 30, and the specified number of medicine boxes containing the medicine to be dispensed is 10. In S8, the determination unit 55 determines 30 as the first withdrawal quantity and determines 15, which is the difference between 45 and 30 (the first remaining withdrawal quantity), as the second withdrawal quantity.

[0131] Assuming that the total number of the first accommodation quantity is 10, in S10, 30 is determined as the first withdrawal quantity, 10 is determined as the second withdrawal quantity, and 5 is determined as the third withdrawal quantity. In this case, 5 / 10 = 0 remainder 5. Therefore, the storage device control unit 51 determines the number of medicine boxes that can withdraw the number of medicines of the third withdrawal quantity as 1 (=0 + 1). The dispensing control unit 511 controls the conveying unit 13 to withdraw from the storage shelf 11 the number of medicine boxes (one box in the above example) containing the medicine to be dispensed as determined by the storage device control unit 51 and convey them to the input box 14.

[0132] (Regarding the case of (ii) above) For example, in S8, the determination unit 55 determines the total number of the first accommodation quantity as the second withdrawal quantity for the drug to be dispensed, and determines the first withdrawal remaining quantity, which is the difference between the specified quantity and the second withdrawal quantity, as the first withdrawal quantity. Also, for example, in S12 (when YES in S5), the determination unit 55 determines the total number of the first accommodation quantity as the second withdrawal quantity, and determines the second withdrawal remaining quantity as the sum of the first withdrawal quantity and the third withdrawal quantity. In this case, the determination unit 55 may determine, among the multiples of the specified number of the medicine box that houses the drug to be dispensed, (1) a value that matches the second withdrawal remaining quantity, or (2) a value that is less than the second withdrawal remaining quantity and closest to the second withdrawal remaining quantity, as the third withdrawal quantity. When NO in S5, the determination unit 55 sets the second withdrawal quantity to 0, and determines the first withdrawal remaining quantity as the third withdrawal quantity.

[0133] For example, assume that the specified quantity for the drug to be dispensed is 45, the inventory quantity of the drug to be dispensed at the drug station 2 is 15, and the specified number of the medicine box that houses the drug to be dispensed is 10. In S8, when assuming that the total number of the first accommodation quantity for the drug to be dispensed is 30, the determination unit 55 determines 30 as the second withdrawal quantity, and determines 15, which is the difference between 45 and 30 (the second withdrawal remaining quantity), as the first withdrawal quantity. In S12, it determines 30 as the second withdrawal quantity, and determines 15, which is the second withdrawal remaining quantity, as the first withdrawal quantity and the third withdrawal quantity.

[0134] In S12, assume that the total number of the first accommodation quantity is 20. The determination unit 55 determines 20 as the second withdrawal quantity, and determines 25, which is the difference between 45 and 20 (the second withdrawal remaining quantity), as the first withdrawal quantity and the third withdrawal quantity. The determination unit 55 may determine 20 (= 10 × 2), which is a value less than the second withdrawal remaining quantity and closest to the second withdrawal remaining quantity of 25 among the multiples of the specified number of 10, as the third withdrawal quantity. Then, 5 (= 25 - 20), which is the difference between the second withdrawal remaining quantity and the third withdrawal quantity, may be determined as the first withdrawal quantity.

[0135] The dispensing control unit 511 controls the transport unit 13 to dispense the number of medicine boxes that can hold the number of medicines corresponding to the third withdrawal quantity. The storage device control unit 51 determines, for example, the value obtained by dividing the third withdrawal quantity determined by the determination unit 55 by the specified quantity as the number of medicine boxes that can hold the medicines corresponding to the third withdrawal quantity. In the case of the example described above, the storage device control unit 51 determines that the number of medicine boxes that can hold the medicines corresponding to the third withdrawal quantity is 20 / 10 = 2. The dispensing control unit 511 controls the transport unit 13 to take out from the storage shelf 11 the medicine boxes containing the medicines to be dispensed, in the determined number of medicine boxes (two boxes in the example described above), and transport them to the input box 14.

[0136] (Example of processing based on expiration date or use-by date) Here, the transport control unit 521 may determine whether to perform or not perform the transport operation of the cassette Ca according to the expiration date or use-by date of the medicine to be dispensed stored in the drug station 2. For example, when the expiration date or use-by date of the medicine to be dispensed stored in the cassette Ca has passed, the transport control unit 521 can control so as not to transport the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer unit 220.

[0137] Similarly, the dispensing control unit 511 may determine whether to perform or not perform the transport operation of the medicine box according to the expiration date or use-by date of the medicine to be dispensed stored in the storage device 1. Further, when the expiration date or use-by date of the medicine to be dispensed stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 has passed, the notification control unit 591 may notify to that effect.

[0138] Thereby, the possibility that an operator takes out a medicine whose expiration date or use-by date has passed from the cassette Ca, the medicine box dispensed from the storage device 1, or the non-stored medicine box can be reduced.

[0139] (Example of determining the way to take out the medicine to be dispensed) When the drug to be dispensed is included in the drug sheet, the control unit 501 determines the method of taking out the specified number of doses. That is, the control unit 501 calculates the number of full sheets and partial sheets to be taken out so as to match the number of drugs for the specified number of doses. For example, if the number of drugs specified in one drug sheet is 10 and the specified number is 42, the control unit 501 calculates that 4 full sheets should be taken out and the number of drugs to be taken out as a partial sheet is 2. The touch panel control unit 59 displays this calculation result on the second touch panel 32.

[0140] By visually checking the second touch panel 32, the operator can place the drugs to be dispensed for the specified number of doses on the drug placement table 223 and / or the tray placement table 224 from the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug delivery unit 220, the unstocked drug box, and / or the drug box dispensed into the input box 14. For example, the operator can put a predetermined number of full sheets into the transport tray placed on the tray placement table 224 and place the partial sheet containing the predetermined number of drugs on the drug placement table 223.

[0141] By checking the second touch panel 32, the operator can place the drugs to be dispensed for the specified number of doses on the drug placement table 223 and / or the tray placement table 224 from the drug box dispensed into the input box 14 and / or the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug delivery unit 220. For example, the operator can put a predetermined number of full sheets into the transport tray placed on the tray placement table 224 and place the partial sheet containing the predetermined number of drugs on the drug placement table 223.

[0142] In addition, when the control unit 501 takes out a drug sheet from an unstocked drug box or a drug box dispensed from the storage device 1, it may calculate the number of full sheets and partial sheets to be taken out so as to match the number of drugs for the number of doses to be taken out.

[0143] (Example of display transition when drugs are taken out from an unstocked drug box) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the process when a drug box is taken out from an unstocked drug box. FIGS. 12 and 13 are examples of images displayed on the second touch panel 32.

[0144] When receiving a dispensing instruction for the drug to be dispensed (S1 in FIG. 10), the touch panel control unit 59 displays the specified number included in the dispensing instruction. When the drug to be dispensed is a drug included in the drug sheet, the control unit 501 determines how to take out the specified number of drugs. The touch panel control unit 59 displays, in addition to the specified number, the number of full sheets and the number of partial sheets. The touch panel control unit 59 displays, for example, a quantity display image (quantity display screen) IM201 shown in FIG. 12 on the second touch panel 32. In the quantity display image IM201, for the drug to be dispensed with the drug name "ABC", it is guided to take out 40 drugs by taking out 4 full sheets.

[0145] Also, when performing the process of FIG. 10, if the drug delivery station 2 is included in the destination of the drug to be dispensed determined by the determination unit 55, the conveyance control unit 521 controls the cassette conveyance unit 23 to convey the cassette Ca containing the drug to be dispensed to the drug transfer unit 220. Also, when the storage device 1 is included in the destination of the drug to be dispensed determined by the determination unit 55, the dispensing control unit 511 controls the conveyance unit 13 to convey the medicine box containing the drug to be dispensed to the input box 14.

[0146] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the management determination unit 54 determines whether an unstocked medicine box is included in the destination of the drug to be dispensed (S21). This determination process is the determination process shown in S5 of FIG. 10. When the management determination unit 54 determines that an unstocked medicine box is included in the destination of the drug to be dispensed (YES in S21), the notification control unit 591 displays, for example, a first reading image (first reading screen) IM204 shown in FIG. 13 (S22). The notification control unit 591 displays the first reading image IM204, for example, after the conveyance of the cassette Ca to the drug transfer unit 220 and the dispensing of the medicine box to the input box 14 are completed.

[0147] The first read image IM204 is an image in which the display area DAR is displayed in the quantity display image IM201. In the first read image IM204, a message prompting the reading of the barcode of the unstocked medicine box (denoted as "handheld box" in FIG. 13) is displayed in the display area DAR. Since a label is attached to the unstocked medicine box, the operator causes the second barcode reader 222 to read the box identification barcode.

[0148] In the display state of the first read image IM204, the collation unit 57 determines whether the medicine box identification information included in the box identification barcode has been read from the unstocked medicine box (S23). The collation unit 57 waits until the medicine box identification information is read from the unstocked medicine box (if NO in S23). When the collation unit 57 determines that the medicine box identification information has been read (YES in S23), it determines whether the read medicine box identification information matches the medicine box identification information managed in the temporary inventory table TA3 (S24).

[0149] When the collation unit 57 determines that the read medicine box identification information is included in the temporary inventory table TA3 (YES in S24), the management unit 53 updates the first storage quantity of the medicine to be dispensed stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 (S25). The quantity determination unit 56 determines whether the first storage quantity corresponding to the read medicine box identification information is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned shortage quantity. The management unit 53 updates the first storage quantity based on this determination.

[0150] In the reading of the first medicine box identification information, the quantity determination unit 56 determines whether the first storage quantity is equal to or greater than the first remaining quantity to be taken out. When the quantity determination unit 56 determines that the first storage quantity is equal to or greater than the first remaining quantity to be taken out, the management unit 53 updates the first storage quantity in the temporary inventory table TA3 to a value obtained by subtracting the first remaining quantity to be taken out from the first storage quantity. In this case, the control unit 501 sets the shortage quantity to 0. When the quantity determination unit 56 determines that the first storage quantity is less than the first remaining quantity to be taken out, the management unit 53 updates the first storage quantity in the temporary inventory table TA3 to 0. In this case, the control unit 501 sets the value obtained by subtracting the first storage quantity from the first remaining quantity to be taken out as the new shortage quantity.

[0151] In the reading of the medicine cabinet identification information after the second time, the quantity determination unit 56 determines whether the first storage quantity corresponding to the read medicine cabinet identification information is equal to or greater than the shortage quantity set in the previous reading of the medicine cabinet identification information. When the quantity determination unit 56 determines that the first storage quantity is equal to or greater than the shortage quantity, the management unit 53 updates the first storage quantity in the temporary inventory table TA3 to a value obtained by subtracting the shortage quantity from the first storage quantity. In this case, the control unit 501 sets the shortage quantity to 0. When the quantity determination unit 56 determines that the first storage quantity is less than the shortage quantity, the management unit 53 updates the first storage quantity in the temporary inventory table TA3 to 0. In this case, the control unit 501 sets a value obtained by subtracting the first storage quantity from the current shortage quantity as the new shortage quantity.

[0152] The display area DAR of the first read image IM204 includes a quantity display area NAR. In the quantity display area NAR, the specified quantity (denoted as "total quantity" in FIG. 13) and the shortage quantity (denoted as "shortage" in FIG. 13) are displayed. The notification control unit 591 displays the shortage quantity set by the control unit 501 as needed as described above. Thereby, the operator can visually recognize how much quantity of medicine should be taken out from the unstocked medicine cabinet. Then, the operator opens the unstocked medicine cabinet, takes out the medicine stored therein, and places it on the medicine placement table 223 or on the transport tray placed on the tray placement table 224.

[0153] The quantity determination unit 56 determines whether the shortage quantity has been set to 0 through the above-described process (S26). When the quantity determination unit 56 determines that the shortage quantity has been set to 0 (YES in S26), the notification control unit 591 displays the confirmation image (confirmation screen) IM203 shown in FIG. 12 on the second touch panel 32 (S27).

[0154] By visually recognizing the confirmation image IM203, the operator can place the medicine to be dispensed in the specified quantity on the medicine placement table 223 and / or the tray placement table 224 from the cassette Ca conveyed to the medicine delivery unit 220, the medicine cabinet dispensed into the input box 14, and / or the unstocked medicine cabinet. For example, the operator can put a predetermined number of full sheets into the transport tray placed on the tray placement table 224 and place the end sheet containing a predetermined number of medicines on the medicine placement table 223.

[0155] Accordingly, the control unit 501 can determine whether the number of drugs placed on the drug placement table 223 and / or the tray placement table 224 matches the specified number. The notification control unit 591 displays the determination result as to whether the number of drugs taken out matches the specified number on the second touch panel 32. Accordingly, the operator can place the drugs to be dispensed on the drug placement table 223 and / or the tray placement table 224 by the specified number.

[0156] Also in S26, the control unit 501 determines whether an input operation on the skip button A51 displayed in the display area DAR of the first read image IM204 is received. Even when the control unit 501 determines that an input operation on the skip button A51 is received (YES in S26), the process of S27 is performed.

[0157] The skip button A51 is a button to be pressed when the operator determines that the drug to be dispensed cannot be taken out from the unstocked drug box, and is a button for canceling the taking out of the drug from the unstocked drug box and displaying the confirmation image IM203.

[0158] For example, when the second take-out quantity is less than the shortage quantity, if the operator presses the skip button A51, the notification control unit 591 displays the confirmation image IM203. In this case, the operator may take out the drug to be dispensed from the drug box dispensed from the storage device 1.

[0159] Also, the first accommodation quantity stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 is the theoretical inventory quantity managed based on the input of the operator. Therefore, for example, when the operator does not input the first accommodation quantity, the first accommodation quantity stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 does not match the number of drugs actually stored in the unstocked drug box. Also, even when the value input by the operator is different from the number of drugs actually stored in the unstocked drug box, the first accommodation quantity stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 does not match the number of drugs actually stored in the unstocked drug box.

[0160] Therefore, even when the second withdrawal quantity is greater than or equal to the shortage quantity, there may be a case where the required quantity of drugs cannot be withdrawn from the un-stored drug box. Even in such a case, when the operator presses the skip button A51, the notification control unit 591 causes the confirmation image IM203 to be displayed. At this time, the touch panel control unit 59 may display a button or the like that can accept an input operation for dispensing a drug box from the storage device 1. Thereby, even when the operator cannot withdraw the required quantity of drugs from the un-stored drug box or a drug box that has already been dispensed from the storage device 1, the operator can dispense a drug box from the storage device 1 and withdraw the drug to be dispensed from the dispensed drug box.

[0161] In S26, when the quantity determination unit 56 determines that the shortage quantity is 1 or more and no input operation for the skip button A51 has been received (NO in S26), the notification control unit 591 performs the process of S22. That is, the notification control unit 591 prompts the reading of the drug box identification information from another un-stored drug box that contains the drug to be dispensed.

[0162] Also, consider the case where in S24, the collation unit 57 determines that the read drug box identification information is not included in the temporary inventory table TA3 (NO in S24). In this case, the notification control unit 591 notifies that the un-stored drug box from which the drug box identification information has been read is not the drug box that contains the drug to be dispensed (S29). For example, the notification control unit 591 displays the re-reading image IM205 shown in FIG. 13 on the second touch panel 32. The re-reading image IM205 is an image that prompts the re-reading of the drug box identification information from another un-stored drug box. After the process of S29, the control unit 501 performs the process of S23.

[0163] Before displaying the first captured image IM204 in S22, the notification control unit 591 may display a second captured image (second capture screen) IM202. In this case, the operator can be prompted to read the drug identification information of the drug taken out from the cassette Ca. When the read drug identification information matches the drug identification information of the drug to be dispensed included in the prescription data, the notification control unit 591 displays a confirmation image IM203. When the read drug identification information does not match the drug identification information of the drug to be dispensed included in the prescription data, the notification control unit 591 may notify that they do not match. Thereby, it is possible to assist the operator in taking out the drug to be dispensed from the cassette Ca.

[0164] As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 11, when the determination unit 55 determines an unstocked medicine box as the take-out destination of the medicine to be dispensed, the notification control unit 591 displays the first captured image IM204. Thereby, the operator can recognize that it is possible to take out the drug from the unstocked medicine box. That is, in a situation where the unstocked medicine box has not been determined as the take-out destination of the medicine to be dispensed, the notification control unit 591 can cause the operator to recognize the situation by not displaying the first captured image IM204. Therefore, it is possible to assist the operator in not taking out the drug from the unstocked medicine box.

[0165] Also, in the process of S29, even when the operator tries to take out a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked medicine box, the notification control unit 591 can notify the operator to that effect. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed is taken out from the unstocked medicine box.

[0166] <Other forms> (Handling of multiple unstocked medicine boxes) As described above, according to the process of the control unit 501, it is possible to preferentially take out the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked medicine box. However, when there are a plurality of unstocked medicine boxes containing the drugs to be dispensed (that is, the same type of drugs), depending on the number of drugs contained in the unstocked medicine boxes, whether the unstocked medicine boxes can be efficiently reduced may change depending on which unstocked medicine box to take out from.

[0167] For example, assuming that the specified number is 30, and there are an unstocked medicine box (A1) that can hold 40 medicines, an unstocked medicine box (A2) that can hold 20 medicines, and an unstocked medicine box (A3) that can hold 10 medicines as the unstocked medicine boxes for storing the medicines to be dispensed. When taking out the specified number of medicines in descending order of the storage capacity, it will be taken out only from the unstocked medicine box (A1). In this case, none of the unstocked medicine boxes (A1) to (A3) will be emptied and cannot be discarded. On the other hand, when taking out the specified number of medicines in ascending order of the storage capacity, it will be taken out from the unstocked medicine boxes (A2) and (A3). In this case, since the unstocked medicine boxes (A2) and (A3) will be emptied, they can be discarded.

[0168] Therefore, when there are a plurality of unstocked medicine boxes for storing the medicines to be dispensed, the control unit 501 compares the first storage capacities of the respective unstocked medicine boxes, and the notification control unit 591 may notify to take out the medicines from the unstocked medicine box with a smaller storage capacity. For example, the notification control unit 591 may notify the first storage capacity of the unstocked medicine box that is the target for taking out the medicines. Thereby, it is possible to assist the operator in efficiently reducing the unstocked medicine boxes by taking out the medicines from the unstocked medicine box with a smaller storage capacity.

[0169] Also, when there are a plurality of unstocked medicine boxes for storing the medicines to be dispensed, the control unit 501 compares the expiration dates of the respective unstocked medicine boxes, and the notification control unit 591 may notify to take out the medicines from the unstocked medicine box storing the medicine with an earlier expiration date. Further, the control unit 501 compares the expiration times of the respective unstocked medicine boxes, and the notification control unit 591 may notify to take out the medicines from the unstocked medicine box storing the medicine with an earlier expiration time. For example, the notification control unit 591 may notify the expiration date or the expiration time of the unstocked medicine box that is the target for taking out the medicines.

[0170] Further, the control unit 501 may perform both the above-described comparison of the first storage quantity and the comparison of the expiration date or the use-by date. In this case, for example, for the un-stored medicine boxes with the same first storage quantity, the notification control unit 591 may notify to take out the medicine from the un-stored medicine box with the earlier expiration date or use-by date. Also, for example, for the un-stored medicine boxes containing medicines with the same expiration date or use-by date, the notification control unit 591 may notify to take out the medicine from the un-stored medicine box with the smaller storage quantity.

[0171] Thus, based on the first storage quantity, the control unit 501 may determine the order of the un-stored medicine boxes from which to take out the medicine for a plurality of un-stored medicine boxes containing the same type of medicine. Also, based on the expiration date or the use-by date, the control unit 501 may determine the order of the un-stored medicine boxes from which to take out the medicine for a plurality of un-stored medicine boxes containing the same type of medicine. Thereby, even when there are a plurality of un-stored medicine boxes containing the same type of medicine, the operator can easily identify which un-stored medicine box to take out from. From the viewpoint of easily identifying the un-stored medicine box from which the medicine should be taken out, the control unit 501 may determine the above order, for example, in order from the un-stored medicine box with the larger storage quantity.

[0172] (Another form of medicine box identification information) The management unit 53 does not have to issue the medicine box identification information. When there is one un-stored medicine box containing a certain type of medicine, the control unit 501 can identify the un-stored medicine box by reading the medicine identification information.

[0173] When the management unit 53 does not issue the medicine box identification information, the medicine box identification information is not stored in the temporary inventory table TA3. Also, the information that the collation unit 57 collates is not the medicine box identification information but the medicine identification information (e.g., GS1 code). Further, the label output device 4 does not have to issue a label.

[0174] (Another form of un-stored medicine box) The unstocked medicine cabinet may not be an unstocked medicine cabinet waiting for restocking in the storage device 1 (a medicine cabinet that has not been returned to the storage device 1 after being dispensed from the storage device 1), and may be a medicine cabinet stored in a location different from the storage device 1 and the drug station 2. In this case, the temporary inventory table TA3 may store information not only about the unstocked medicine cabinets waiting for restocking in the storage device 1, but also about unstocked medicine cabinets other than those waiting for restocking in the storage device 1.

[0175] For example, there are also medicines that are not stored in either the storage device 1 or the drug station 2 and are managed separately from the storage device 1 and the drug station 2. For example, there are medicines managed in a medicine shelf. Also, for example, high-cost medicines (e.g., anticancer drugs) and medicines that require special handling (e.g., psychotropic drugs) can be stored securely in a safe. The management unit 53 may also manage information about unstocked medicine cabinets containing such medicines in the temporary inventory table TA3.

[0176] Regarding such unstocked medicine cabinets, the management unit 53 can store, in the temporary inventory table TA3, the medicine identification information of the medicines contained in the unstocked medicine cabinet and the information indicating the specified quantity by reading the barcode attached to the unstocked medicine cabinet. Also, the management unit 53 can store, in the temporary inventory table TA3, the information indicating the quantity (remaining quantity) of medicines different from the specified quantity by separately accepting the input of the quantity of medicines. Furthermore, the management unit 53 can store, in the temporary inventory table TA3, the medicine identification information and the first storage quantity information indicating the quantity of medicines contained in the unstocked medicine cabinet in association with the medicine cabinet identification information by issuing the medicine cabinet identification information to such unstocked medicine cabinets. And the touch panel control unit 59 can also display the information of such unstocked medicine cabinets in the restocking waiting list.

[0177] (Another form of determination of the picking location) The determination unit 55 determines the retrieval destination of the drug to be dispensed in the order of the drug station 2, the unstocked medicine cabinet, and the storage device 1, but is not limited thereto. For example, when information on an unstocked medicine cabinet that contains the drug to be dispensed exists, the determination unit 55 may first determine the unstocked medicine cabinet as the retrieval destination.

[0178] (Another form of determination of dispensability) In determining the retrieval destination of the drug to be dispensed, the management determination unit 54 does not necessarily compare the first storage quantity with the predetermined quantity and / or compare the second storage quantity with the predetermined quantity for the drug. For example, when information indicating non-dispensability, for example, is included in the information on the drug stored in the temporary inventory table TA3 and / or the box inventory table TA1, the management determination unit 54 may determine that the drug cannot be dispensed from the medicine cabinet.

[0179] 〔Embodiment 2〕 In this embodiment, a process different from that of the control device 5 in Embodiment 1 will be described. For parts where the same explanation as that in the control device 5 in Embodiment 1 is possible in the control device 5A of this embodiment, the explanation in this embodiment will be omitted.

[0180] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the drug dispensing system 100A. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the drug dispensing system 100A includes a control device 5A instead of the control device 5 in Embodiment 1. The control unit 501A of the control device 5A includes a specifying unit 60, for example, in addition to the configuration of the control unit 501.

[0181] In Embodiment 1, when the management determination unit 54 determines that the unstocked medicine cabinet for the drug to be dispensed can be dispensed, the determination unit 55 automatically determines the unstocked medicine cabinet as the retrieval destination of the drug to be dispensed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the management determination unit 54 determines that the unstocked medicine cabinet for the drug to be dispensed can be dispensed, the specifying unit 60 specifies the unstocked medicine cabinet as a candidate for the retrieval destination of the drug to be dispensed.

[0182] Similar to the determination unit 55 of Embodiment 1, when the management determination unit 54 determines that the first accommodation number indicates a predetermined number or more, the specifying unit 60 specifies an unstocked medicine box as a candidate for the extraction destination of the medicine to be dispensed. When the management determination unit 54 determines that the stock number of the medicine to be dispensed at the drug station 2 is less than the specified number, the specifying unit 60 specifies an unstocked medicine box as a candidate for the extraction destination of the medicine to be dispensed. Further, when there are a plurality of unstocked medicine boxes determined to have the first accommodation number of a predetermined number or more, the specifying unit 60 may specify all the unstocked medicine boxes as candidates for the extraction destination of the medicine to be dispensed.

[0183] Also, in the present embodiment, the notification control unit 591 functions as a first notification control unit that notifies information regarding the extraction destination candidate of the medicine to be dispensed specified by the specifying unit 60. In the present embodiment, the notification control unit 591 may display information regarding the extraction destination candidate on, for example, the second touch panel 32. Further, when the specifying unit 60 specifies a plurality of unstocked medicine boxes as candidates for the extraction destination of the medicine to be dispensed, the notification control unit 591 may display information regarding the plurality of unstocked medicine boxes as information regarding the extraction destination candidate.

[0184] The information regarding the extraction destination candidate may be, for example, information indicating whether the lot number of the medicine stored in the unstocked medicine box matches the lot number of the medicine to be dispensed from the drug station 2. The control unit 501A acquires these two lot numbers from the storage unit 502 and compares whether these two lot numbers match.

[0185] By the notification control unit 591 displaying the above information, the operator can finally determine whether to use the unstocked medicine box as the extraction destination of the medicine to be dispensed based on the above information. When the determination unit 55 receives an input operation for determining the unstocked medicine box as the extraction destination of the medicine to be dispensed among the extraction destination candidates, the determination unit 55 determines the unstocked medicine box as the extraction destination of the medicine to be dispensed.

[0186] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a process related to specifying candidates for the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. In FIG. 15, the processes of S31 performed in place of S6 in FIG. 10, and the processes of S32 and S33 performed after the process of S31, other than these processes, are the same as the processes in FIG. 10. Regarding the same processes as in FIG. 10, the description here is omitted.

[0187] When the management determination unit 54 determines that the first storage quantity of the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (YES in S5), the specifying unit 60 specifies an un-stored medicine box as a candidate for the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed (S31).

[0188] Next, the notification control unit 591 displays information regarding the candidate for the dispensing destination of the drug specified by the specifying unit 60 on the second touch panel 32 (S32). The touch panel control unit 59 determines, in this state, whether an input operation for determining the un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination of the drug as the candidate for the dispensing destination has been received (S33).

[0189] When the touch panel control unit 59 receives an input operation for determining the un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination (YES in S33), the determination unit 55 determines the un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination and performs the process of S8. On the other hand, when the touch panel control unit 59 receives an input operation for not determining the un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination (NO in S33), the determination unit 55 does not determine the un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination, and the management determination unit 54 performs the process of S9.

[0190] For example, consider a case where the following information is stored in the storage unit 502 for the drug to be dispensed. · Information regarding Drug Station 2... Stock quantity: 30, Lot number: R001. · Information regarding the un-stored medicine box... Stock quantity: 20, Lot number: R002.

[0191] When the specified number of drugs to be dispensed is 50, in Embodiment 1, if the first storage number for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the determination unit 55 determines an un-stored medicine box that stores the drug as the dispensing destination for the drug. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the first storage number for the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the specifying unit 60 specifies an un-stored medicine box that stores the drug as a candidate for the dispensing destination for the drug. Then, the notification control unit 591 displays guidance information, such as whether to determine an un-stored medicine box with a different lot number as the dispensing destination, as information regarding the candidate dispensing destination.

[0192] When the above guidance information is displayed, the operator determines whether to determine an un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination for the drug to be dispensed, for example, from the perspective of traceability. The perspective of traceability means, for example, not using drugs with different lot numbers as the drugs to be dispensed (not allowing different lot numbers). When the operator determines not to use the un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination, the determination unit 55 receives an input operation indicating that fact, excludes the un-stored medicine box from the drug dispensing destination, and determines the first dispensing number from the drug station 2 and the third dispensing number from the storage device 1. However, even if the lot numbers are different, the operator can also determine to use the un-stored medicine box as the dispensing destination. In this case, the determination unit 55 determines the second dispensing number from the un-stored medicine box.

[0193] In the present embodiment, the specifying unit 60 specifies candidates for the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed, giving priority to the storage device 1. Then, the determination unit 55 determines the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed based on the input operation. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, when there is an un-stored medicine box that stores the drug to be dispensed, the possibility of reducing the number of medicine boxes to be dispensed from the storage device 1 increases. Therefore, the possibility of an increase in un-stored medicine boxes can be reduced.

[0194] In addition, the management unit 53 manages information on the drugs stored in the unstocked medicine boxes in the temporary inventory table TA3. When the management determination unit 54 determines based on this information that it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked medicine box, the specifying unit 60 specifies the unstocked medicine box as a candidate for the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. For example, when the management determination unit 54 determines that the first storage quantity of the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, it determines that it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the unstocked medicine box.

[0195] Therefore, when information on the drug (for example, the first storage quantity) is not managed by the temporary inventory table TA3 for the unstocked medicine box that stores the drug to be dispensed, the control unit 501A does not specify the unstocked medicine box as a candidate for the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. Therefore, the operator does not determine the unstocked medicine box as the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. Therefore, in a situation where the unstocked medicine box is not determined as the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed, the possibility that a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed is taken out by the operator can be reduced.

[0196] Thus, also in this embodiment, the control unit 501A can reduce the possibility of an increase in unstocked medicine boxes and can reduce the possibility that a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed is taken out from the unstocked medicine box.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 11, the management determination unit 54 determines whether the unstocked medicine box is included in the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed (S21). In this embodiment, this determination process is the determination process shown in S32 of FIG. 14.

[0198] 〔Summary〕 The control device according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure includes a management unit that manages first drug information regarding drugs contained in an unstocked drug container that is not stored in a first storage device for storing drug containers containing drugs, and when receiving a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, a determination unit that determines whether or not the drug to be dispensed can be dispensed from the unstocked drug container based on the first drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, and a specifying unit that, when the determination unit determines that the drug to be dispensed can be dispensed, specifies the unstocked drug container as a candidate for the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. According to this configuration, the process associated with the management of the first drug information regarding the drugs contained in the unstocked drug container can reduce the possibility of an increase in the unstocked drug container and can reduce the possibility that drugs of a type different from the drug to be dispensed are taken out from the unstocked drug container.

[0199] The control device according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure includes, in aspect 1, a first notification control unit that notifies information regarding the dispensing destination candidate of the drug to be dispensed specified by the specifying unit. According to this configuration, the operator can finally determine whether to use the unstocked drug container as the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed by checking the information regarding the dispensing destination candidate.

[0200] The control device according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure includes a management unit that manages first drug information regarding drugs contained in an unstocked drug container that is not stored in a first storage device for storing drug containers containing drugs, and when receiving a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, a determination unit that determines whether or not the drug to be dispensed can be dispensed from the unstocked drug container based on the first drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, and a determination unit that, when the determination unit determines that the drug to be dispensed can be dispensed, determines the unstocked drug container as the dispensing destination of the drug to be dispensed. According to this configuration, the process associated with the management of the first drug information regarding the drugs contained in the unstocked drug container can reduce the possibility of an increase in the unstocked drug container and can reduce the possibility that drugs of a type different from the drug to be dispensed are taken out from the unstocked drug container.

[0201] In accordance with aspect 4 of the present disclosure, in any one of aspects 1 to 3, the management unit has a function of managing second drug information regarding drugs contained in drug boxes stored in the first storage device, and for the drug to be dispensed, when it is determined that dispensing from the non-stored drug box is possible and the determination unit determines that dispensing from the first storage device is possible based on the second drug information, the determination unit preferentially determines the non-stored drug box as the retrieval source of the drug to be dispensed over the first storage device. According to this configuration, the possibility of an increase in non-stored drug boxes can be reduced.

[0202] In accordance with aspect 5 of the present disclosure, in any one of aspects 1 to 4, the first drug information includes information indicating the first storage quantity of drugs contained in the non-stored drug box, and the determination unit determines whether or not dispensing of the drug to be dispensed from the non-stored drug box is possible based on the first storage quantity of the drug to be dispensed. According to this configuration, by managing the first storage quantity, it is possible to determine whether or not dispensing from the non-stored drug box is possible based on the first storage quantity.

[0203] In accordance with aspect 6 of the present disclosure, in any one of aspects 1 to 5, the management unit has a function of managing the inventory quantity of drugs stored in a second storage device for storing drugs, and when the determination unit determines that the inventory quantity is less than the specified quantity for which the drug to be dispensed should be dispensed, the determination unit determines whether or not dispensing of the drug to be dispensed from the non-stored drug box is possible. According to this configuration, it is possible to prioritize dispensing of the drug to be dispensed from the second storage device.

[0204] In accordance with aspect 7 of the present disclosure, in any one of aspects 1 to 6, the management unit manages the first drug information of drugs contained in drug boxes that have not been returned to the first storage device after being dispensed from the first storage device. According to this configuration, the first drug information can be managed for drug boxes that have not been returned to the first storage device after being dispensed from the first storage device. Therefore, the possibility of an increase in non-returned drug boxes can be reduced, and the possibility of a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed being retrieved from the non-returned drug box can be reduced.

[0205] In the control device according to aspect 8 of the present disclosure, in any of aspects 1 to 7, the first drug information includes drug box identification information for identifying the unstocked drug box. According to this configuration, in the control device, the first drug information for each unstocked drug box can be managed.

[0206] The control device according to aspect 9 of the present disclosure, in aspect 8, the drug box identification information is attached to the unstocked drug box, a reading unit that reads the drug box identification information from the unstocked drug box, and a collation unit that collates whether the drug box identification information read by the reading unit matches the drug box identification information managed by the management unit, and a second notification control unit that, when the collation unit determines that the two drug box identification information does not match, notifies that the unstocked drug box targeted by the reading unit is not the drug box that stores the drug to be dispensed. According to this configuration, when an operator tries to take out a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed from an unstocked drug box, it is possible to notify to that effect. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a drug of a type different from the drug to be dispensed is taken out from the unstocked drug box.

[0207] 〔Example of implementation by software〕 The functions of the control devices 5 and 5A (hereinafter referred to as "devices") are programs for causing a computer to function as the device, and can be realized by programs for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly, each part included in the control units 501 and 501A).

[0208] In this case, the above device includes a computer having at least one control device (for example, a processor) and at least one storage device (for example, a memory) as hardware for executing the above program. By executing the above program by this control device and storage device, each function described in each of the above embodiments is realized.

[0209] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, rather than temporarily. This recording medium may or may not be provided in the above device. In the latter case, the above program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0210] Also, part or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as each of the above control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, for example, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by a quantum computer.

[0211] Also, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate in the above control device, or may operate in another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server, etc.).

[0212] 〔Supplementary Notes〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0213] 1 Storage device (First storage device) 2 Drug station (Second storage device) 5, 5A Control device 53 Management unit 54 Management determination unit (Determination unit) 55 Decision unit 57 Verification unit 60 Identification unit 222 Second barcode reader (Reading unit) 591 Notification control unit (First notification control unit, Second notification control unit)

Claims

1. A management unit that manages first drug information regarding drugs contained in an un-stored drug box not stored in a first storage device for storing drug boxes containing drugs, A determination unit that, when receiving a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the un-stored drug box based on the first drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, A control device comprising: a specifying unit that, when the determination unit determines that it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed, specifies the un-stored drug box as a candidate for the retrieval destination of the drug to be dispensed.

2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a first notification control unit that notifies information regarding the retrieval destination candidate of the drug to be dispensed specified by the specifying unit.

3. A management unit that manages first drug information regarding drugs contained in an un-stored drug box not stored in a first storage device for storing drug boxes containing drugs, A determination unit that, when receiving a dispensing instruction for a drug to be dispensed, determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the un-stored drug box based on the first drug information regarding the drug to be dispensed, A control device comprising: a decision unit that, when the determination unit determines that it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed, determines the un-stored drug box as the retrieval destination of the drug to be dispensed.

4. The management unit has a function of managing second drug information regarding drugs contained in drug boxes stored in the first storage device, For the drug to be dispensed, when the determination unit determines that it is possible to dispense from the un-stored drug box and also determines that it is possible to dispense from the first storage device based on the second drug information, the decision unit preferentially determines the un-stored drug box as the retrieval destination of the drug to be dispensed over the first storage device. The control device according to claim 3.

5. The first drug information includes information indicating the first storage quantity of the drugs contained in the un-stored drug box, The control device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the determination unit determines whether it is possible to dispense the drug to be dispensed from the un-stored drug box based on the first storage quantity of the drug to be dispensed.

6. The management unit has a function of managing the inventory quantity of drugs stored in a second storage device for storing drugs. When the determination unit determines that the inventory quantity is less than the specified quantity for which the drug to be dispensed should be dispensed, the control device according to claim 1 or 3 determines whether the drug to be dispensed can be dispensed from the un-stored medicine box of the drug to be dispensed.

7. The management unit manages the first drug information of the drug contained in the medicine box that has not been returned to the first storage device after being dispensed from the first storage device, according to the control device of claim 1 or 3.

8. The first drug information includes medicine box identification information for identifying the un-stored medicine box, according to the control device of claim 1 or 3.

9. The medicine box identification information is attached to the un-stored medicine box, a reading unit that reads the medicine box identification information from the un-stored medicine box, a collation unit that collates whether the medicine box identification information read by the reading unit matches the medicine box identification information managed by the management unit, a second notification control unit that, when the collation unit determines that the two pieces of medicine box identification information do not match, notifies that the un-stored medicine box targeted by the reading unit is not the medicine box that contains the drug to be dispensed, according to the control device of claim 8.

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