Pharmacy Transaction Device and Related Method

Abstract

The pharmacy transaction device includes at least one booth, and each booth of the at least one booth is accessible from at least the customer side of the pharmacy counter and the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter on the opposite side of the customer side of the pharmacy counter. There is at least one pharmacy transaction device in one or more of the at least one booths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 389,475, filed on July 15, 2022. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 389,475 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Field The present disclosure generally relates to pharmacy transaction devices and related methods.

Background Art

[0003] Pharmacy transactions can involve discussing confidential information without sufficient privacy.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to at least one embodiment, there is provided a pharmacy transaction device including at least one booth, wherein each booth of the at least one booth is accessible from at least the customer side of the pharmacy counter and the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter opposite the customer side of the pharmacy counter, and at least one pharmacy transaction device is provided within one or more of the at least one booth.

[0005] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booth are adjacent to the pharmacy counter.

[0006] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booth are incorporated into the pharmacy counter.

[0007] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booth are attached to the pharmacy counter.

[0008] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths are directly attached to the pharmacy counter.

[0009] In some embodiments, at least a part of the pharmacy counter is on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booths.

[0010] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a pharmacy counter.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pharmacy counter includes retail facilities for displaying pharmacy products on the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

[0012] In some embodiments, the pharmacy counter includes retail facilities with pharmacy products displayed on the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least a part of the retail facilities is on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booths.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least a part of the retail facilities is a shelf.

[0015] In some embodiments, at least a part of the retail facilities is a rack.

[0016] In some embodiments, the pharmacy counter includes product storage facilities for storing pharmacy products on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

[0017] In some embodiments, the pharmacy counter includes product storage facilities with pharmacy products stored on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

[0018] In some embodiments, at least a part of the product storage facilities is on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booths.

[0019] In some embodiments, at least some of the product storage facilities are shelves.

[0020] In some embodiments, at least some of the product storage facilities are racks.

[0021] In some embodiments, all sides of each of at least one booth are substantially enclosed.

[0022] In some embodiments, all sides of each of at least one booth are enclosed.

[0023] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes at least one pharmacy transaction device.

[0024] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction device includes at least one payment device.

[0025] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction device includes at least one pharmacy computer.

[0026] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy computer is configured to access at least a database of customer medication records.

[0027] In some embodiments, one or more of at least one booth include at least one translucent outer wall.

[0028] In some embodiments, one or more of at least one booth include at least one translucent outer wall on each side of the booth.

[0029] In some embodiments, at least one translucent outer wall enables visibility of at least substantially the entire customer area on the customer side of the pharmacy counter from within one or more of at least one booth.

[0030] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes at least one air pump that communicates with the interior of one or more of the at least one booths and the exterior of the at least one booth, and the at least one air pump is operable to exchange air between the interior of one or more of the at least one booths and the exterior of the at least one booth.

[0031] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes lighting associated with one or more of the at least one booths, and the lighting is operable to illuminate the interior of one or more of the at least one booths.

[0032] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths are wheelchair-accessible from at least the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

[0033] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths are wheelchair-accessible from at least the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

[0034] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths have at least a 40 Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating.

[0035] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths have at least a 45 STC rating.

[0036] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths have at least a 50 STC rating.

[0037] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths have at least a 55 STC rating.

[0038] In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths have at least 60 STC ratings.

[0039] In some embodiments, at least one booth includes a first booth and a second booth.

[0040] In some embodiments, each of the at least one booths has sufficient sound insulation to enable confidential conversations within each of the at least one booths in a state of at least auditory privacy.

[0041] In some embodiments, each of the at least one booths has sufficient sound insulation to enable the collection or disclosure of personal information within each of the at least one booths in a state of at least auditory privacy.

[0042] In some embodiments, each of the at least one booths sufficiently diffuses the light exiting each of the at least one booths or sufficiently blocks the light from exiting each of the at least one booths to enable confidential transactions within each of the at least one booths in a state of at least visual privacy.

[0043] In some embodiments, each of the at least one booths sufficiently diffuses the light exiting each of the at least one booths or sufficiently blocks the light from exiting each of the at least one booths to enable confidential transactions within each of the at least one booths in a state of at least visual privacy.

[0044] According to at least one embodiment, a method of conducting at least one pharmacy transaction with a pharmacy customer is disclosed, the method including conducting at least one pharmacy transaction within one or more of the at least one booths.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction is at least one confidential pharmacy transaction.

[0046] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving at least one prescription from a pharmacy customer.

[0047] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes providing at least one type of medicine to a pharmacy customer.

[0048] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving at least one prescription from a pharmacy customer in a first booth and providing at least one type of medicine to the pharmacy customer in a second booth.

[0049] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving payment from a pharmacy customer.

[0050] In some embodiments, receiving payment from a pharmacy customer includes receiving payment from the pharmacy customer using at least one payment device.

[0051] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes providing pharmacy advice to a pharmacy customer.

[0052] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes causing at least one pharmacy computer to access at least a database of customer medication records.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving personal information from a pharmacy customer.

[0054] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes causing at least one pharmacy computer to cause at least a database of customer medication records to store at least a portion of the personal information.

[0055] Upon consideration of the following description of exemplary embodiments together with the accompanying drawings, other aspects and features will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0056]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0057] Referring to FIG. 1, the whole of a pharmacy according to an embodiment is indicated by 100. The pharmacy 100 includes a pharmacy counter 101. The whole of the customer area of the pharmacy 100 is indicated by 102, and the customer area is on the customer side of the pharmacy counter 101, and the customer side is indicated by 103 as a whole. The customer area 102 may be accessible by the general public or other persons (for example, inpatients, residents of care homes or other groups of individuals). The customer area 102 may include retail facilities (such as retail facilities 104 and 105, etc.) for displaying or actually displaying pharmacy products (medicines, medical devices, one or more other pharmacy products, or combinations of two or more of these) within the customer area 102. Such retail facilities may include one or more shelves, one or more racks, one or more other retail facilities, or combinations of two or more of these. Such retail facilities may be arranged at an interval from the pharmacy counter 101 as shown in FIG. 1, or alternatively, may be adjacent to the pharmacy counter 101, or may be attached to the pharmacy counter 101.

[0058] The entire dispensing area of the pharmacy 100 is indicated by 106. The dispensing area is on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter 101, and the dispensing side is entirely indicated by 107 and is on the opposite side of the customer side 103 of the pharmacy counter 101. Generally, the dispensing area 106 includes stored medications (e.g., medications that may require a prescription) and other pharmacy equipment (e.g., dispensing or compounding equipment). Further, generally, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other pharmacy staff are allowed to enter the dispensing area 106, and entry of the general public into the dispensing area 106 is restricted.

[0059] The pharmacy counter 101 may function as a barrier to restrict movement between the customer area 102 and the dispensing area 106. For example, the pharmacy counter 101 may have a height and width that prevent or block people from moving between the customer area 102 and the dispensing area 106 between the customer area 102 and the dispensing area 106. However, the pharmacy counter 101 is merely an example, and alternative embodiments may differ. For example, alternative embodiments may include one or more alternatives to the pharmacy counter 101.

[0060] The pharmacy 100 further includes booths 108 and 109, although alternative embodiments may include only a single booth or three or more booths. The booth 108, the booth 109, or both may be adjacent to the pharmacy counter 101, incorporated into the pharmacy counter 101, indirectly attached to the pharmacy counter 101, directly attached to the pharmacy counter 101, or a combination of two or more of these. There are portions of the pharmacy counter 101 on the opposite sides of the booths 108 and 109. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the pharmacy counter 101 includes portions 110, 111, and 112. Portions 110 and 111 are on the opposite side of the booth 108, and portions 111 and 112 are on the opposite side of the booth 109. However, alternative embodiments may differ. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the pharmacy counter may be spaced apart from the booth or may be on only one side of the booth.

[0061] The pharmacy counter 101 may include retail facilities for displaying, or actually displaying, pharmacy products (such as drugs, medical devices, one or more other pharmacy products, or combinations of two or more of these) on the customer side 103 of the pharmacy counter 101. Such retail facilities may be on the opposite side of booth 108, on the opposite side of booth 109, or both. Such retail facilities may include one or more shelves, one or more racks, one or more other retail facilities, or combinations of two or more of these. However, alternative embodiments may vary. Alternative embodiments may include other retail facilities, or may omit retail facilities from the pharmacy counter 101.

[0062] Furthermore, the pharmacy counter 101 may include product storage facilities for storing, or actually storing, pharmacy products (such as drugs, medical devices, one or more other pharmacy products, or combinations of two or more of these) on the dispensing side 107 of the pharmacy counter 101. Such product storage facilities may be on the opposite side of booth 108, on the opposite side of booth 109, or both. Such product storage facilities may include one or more shelves, one or more racks, one or more other product storage facilities, or combinations of two or more of these. However, alternative embodiments may vary. Alternative embodiments may include other product storage facilities, or may omit product storage facilities from the pharmacy counter 101.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 2, booth 108 has side walls 113, 114, 115, and 116. Booth 108 may have a square, rectangular, circular, or other shape. Booth 108 may have a length, width, and other dimensions suitable for accommodating up to four people in booth 108.

[0064] Booth 108 includes door 117 in wall 113 and door 118 in wall 115. Door 117, when open, enables passage between the interior of booth 108 and the customer side 103. Door 118, when open, enables passage between the interior of booth 108 and the dispensing side 107. Thus, booth 108 is accessible at least from the customer side 103 of pharmacy counter 101 and the dispensing side 107 of pharmacy counter 101. Booth 108 may be accessible by wheelchair from the customer side 103 of pharmacy counter 101, from the dispensing side 107 of pharmacy counter 101, or from both. Walls 113, 114, 115 and 116 and doors 117 and 118 may be referred to individually or collectively as the outer wall of booth 108.

[0065] In some embodiments, one or both of doors 117 and 118 may be lockable by a suitable locking mechanism. For example, a customer may be able to lock door 117 from the interior of booth 108 to prevent another customer from entering the booth. Further, when booth 108 is not in use (e.g., when the pharmacist is absent), entry from the customer side 103 to the dispensing side 107 may be prevented by locking one of doors 117 and 118.

[0066] Booth 108 may be constructed from any suitable material. For example, portions of booth 108 may be constructed from wood, metal, glass, plastic or fabric (such as cotton).

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, walls 113, 114, 115, and 116 and doors 117 and 118 include translucent plastic, translucent glass, one or more other translucent materials, or a combination of two or more of these, consisting essentially of translucent plastic, translucent glass, one or more other translucent materials, or a combination of two or more of these, or consisting of translucent plastic, translucent glass, one or more other translucent materials, or a combination of two or more of these. As used herein, "translucent" includes "transparent" but is not necessarily limited to "transparent". As a result, booth 108 has at least one translucent outer wall, and each side of booth 108 (i.e., the side of walls 113, 114, 115, and 116 and doors 117 and 118) has at least one translucent outer wall. Further, walls 113, 114, 115, and 116 and doors 117 and 118 allow visibility from within booth 108 of at least substantially the entire customer area 102. Such visibility may enable a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or other pharmacy staff member to conduct pharmacy transactions within booth 108 while working alone. In some embodiments, one or more outer walls of booth 108 may allow a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or other pharmacy staff member to see at least substantially the entire customer area 102 from within booth 108, while preventing other people in customer area 102 from seeing customers within booth 108.

[0068] Furthermore, there may be lighting within booth 108, or lighting within booth 108 may be provided by lighting external to booth 108. In the illustrated embodiment, a light source 119 is associated with booth 108 and is operable to illuminate the interior of booth 108. The light source 119 may include one or more incandescent light sources, one or more fluorescent light sources, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), one or more other light sources, or a combination of two or more of these. However, alternative embodiments may vary, and in other embodiments, the lighting for illuminating the interior of booth 108 may be provided by one or more light sources that may be external to booth 108, one or more light sources that may be within booth 108, or one or more light sources that may be part of booth 108.

[0069] In some embodiments, one or more outer walls of booth 108 may enable a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, other pharmacy staff, and / or customer to view into booth 108 from outside booth 108 to determine whether booth 108 is in use. This may help ensure that pharmacy transactions and / or conversations using booth 108 remain private by reducing the likelihood that a person inside booth 108 will be interrupted by another person trying to enter booth 108.

[0070] Within booth 108 there is a table 120 and chairs 121 and 122. The table 120 does not by itself function as a barrier between customer area 102 and dispensing area 106. However, alternative embodiments may include a barrier within booth 108 between customer area 102 and dispensing area 106. Further, a pharmacy computer 123 and a payment device 124 are on the table 120 and within booth 108. The payment device 124 may include a credit card transaction device, a debit card transaction device, a cash register, a point of sale (POS) device, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0071] Alternative embodiments may vary. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the overall booth according to another embodiment is indicated at 125. There is a desk 126 within booth 125 but no chair. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, desk 126 also does not by itself function as a barrier between the customer area and the dispensing area. However, alternative embodiments may vary. As a result, in the embodiment shown, desk 126 is higher than desk 120 and has a height suitable for interaction between the pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or other pharmacy staff and the customer when standing. However, alternative embodiments may be diverse, may have one or more different desks, the one or more different desks may have different heights, or may vary in another form. There is a pharmacy computer 127 on desk 126 and within booth 125, and pharmacy computer 127 may be similar to pharmacy computer 123. Generally, booth 125 may be similar to booths 108 and 109, and there may be one or more payment devices, such as payment device 124, within booth 125.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 4, pharmacy computer 123 communicates with one or more input / output devices, such as display 128, keyboard 129, and mouse 130, and the one or more input / output devices may, for example, facilitate interaction between the pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or other pharmacy staff and pharmacy computer 123 as described herein. Further, pharmacy computer 123 communicates with payment device 124 to facilitate adjustment of payment using the customer medication record. However, in an alternative embodiment, pharmacy computer 123 need not communicate with payment device 124. Further, pharmacy computer 123 communicates with remote server computer 132 using computer network 131, and remote server computer 132 includes or communicates with database 133. Database 133 may store various records, such as customer medication records. Thus, pharmacy computer 123 is configured to access at least the database of customer medication records.

[0073] However, FIG. 4 is merely an example, and alternative embodiments may differ. For example, an alternative embodiment may include one or more different or additional devices within booth 108. Generally, one or more devices within booth 108 may facilitate, for example, one or more pharmacy transactions within booth 108 as described herein. Further, an alternative embodiment may include one or more alternatives to remote server computer 132, database 133, or both.

[0074] Generally, booth 108 may be surrounded by material on all sides or substantially surrounded by material on all sides such that booth 108 is soundproof. For example, booth 108 may have a sound transmission class (STC) rating of at least 40, at least 45, at least 50, at least 55, or at least 60, although alternative embodiments may differ. More generally, in some embodiments, booth 108 may have sufficient soundproofing to enable private conversations within booth 108. In addition or alternatively, to enable private transactions in the presence of auditory privacy, visual privacy, or both within booth 108 (such private transactions may include, for example, collection of personal information, disclosure of personal information, or both), booth 108 may include such translucent material, opaque material, or a combination of both such that light exiting booth 108 is sufficiently diffused or light entering booth 108 is sufficiently blocked. Thus, booth 108 may be a location for private pharmacy transactions and may thus sometimes be referred to as a "privacy booth."

[0075] Booth 109 may be similar to booth 108 and may include a pharmacy computer 134 (which may be similar to pharmacy computer 123) and a payment device (which may be similar to payment device 124) within booth 109.

[0076] In some embodiments, booth 108 may be typically designated for or used for prescription submission, for example, it may be a prescription submission location within pharmacy 100. Booth 109 may be typically designated for or used for receiving prescription drugs, for example, it may be a location for receiving prescription drugs within pharmacy 100.

[0077] However, alternative embodiments may be different. For example, if booth 108 is typically designated for or used for prescription submission, payment device 124 may be omitted, and booth 109 may instead include a payment device (which may be the same as payment device 124).

[0078] Pharmacy computer 123, payment device 124, pharmacy computer 127, pharmacy computer 134, one or more other devices, or a combination of two or more of these may facilitate such pharmacy transactions. For example, during a prescription submission pharmacy transaction within booth 108, a pharmacist, a pharmacy technician, one or more other pharmacy staff, or a combination of two or more of these may receive a prescription from a customer, discuss the medical condition that may be related to the prescription, receive personal information from the customer, use pharmacy computer 123 to store such personal information or information related to the prescription in database 133, have pharmacy computer 123 access database 133, provide pharmacy advice to the pharmacy customer, perform one or more other actions of the pharmacy transaction, or perform a combination of two or more of these, and all of these may be carried out in a relatively private state compared to such transactions outside booth 108.

[0079] As another example, during a prescription drug pickup pharmacy transaction within booth 109, a pharmacist, a pharmacy technician, one or more other pharmacy staff members, or a combination of two or more of these may provide one or more medications to a customer, discuss a medical condition that may be related to the one or more medications, discuss the one or more medications, discuss the use of the one or more medications, provide pharmacy advice to the pharmacy customer, receive payment for the one or more medications using a payment device (which may be similar to payment device 124) within booth 109, perform one or more other actions of the pharmacy transaction, or perform a combination of two or more of these, and all of these may be carried out in a relatively private state compared to such transactions outside of booth 109.

[0080] Accordingly, pharmacy computer 123 and payment device 124 are examples of pharmacy transaction devices within booth 108. Generally, pharmacy computer 123, payment device 124, one or more other pharmacy devices, or a combination of two or more of these may facilitate pharmacy transactions such as those described above.

[0081] For example, one or more ventilation systems such as one or more air pumps may provide ventilation to booth 108, booth 109, or both.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 1, booths 108 and 109 are located in a central position within pharmacy 100, which may be used for general pharmacy transactions such as prescription submission and prescription drug pickup. For example, as described above, booths 108 and 109 may be arranged within pharmacy 100 adjacent to pharmacy counter 101, incorporated into pharmacy counter 101, or directly or indirectly attached to pharmacy counter 101 such that a portion of pharmacy counter 101 is on one or both sides of booths 108 and 109, which may be conveniently arranged in a central position within pharmacy 100 for general pharmacy transactions such as prescription submission and prescription drug pickup.

[0083] However, in the illustrated embodiment, booths 108 and 109 are not required for pharmacy transactions. Further, there may be a pharmacy computer 135 (which may be similar to pharmacy computer 123) on pharmacy counter 101 outside of booths 108 and 109, and the pharmacy computer 135 may facilitate transactions that do not require privacy.

[0084] Some pharmacies, such as pharmacy 100, may include a separate counseling room in addition to one or more booths such as booths 108 and 109. Such a separate counseling room may be suitable for longer conversations, such as conversations longer than, for example, 5 or 10 minutes, and may be designed to obscure the view between the inside and outside of the separate counseling room. On the other hand, one or more booths, such as booths 108 and 109, may be suitable for more structured pharmacy transactions, such as prescription pick-up and prescription submission, and may be suitable for a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or other pharmacy staff to conduct pharmacy transactions while working alone, and thus may be suitable for maintaining visibility to at least substantially the entire customer area 102.

[0085] Pharmacy 100 is merely an example, and alternative embodiments may vary. For example, a pharmacy in an alternative embodiment may have a different configuration, more or fewer pharmacy counters, and more, fewer, or different pharmacy facilities or structures.

[0086] That being said, embodiments such as the embodiments described herein may more appropriately facilitate a higher level of privacy for pharmacy transactions when compared to other pharmacies.

[0087] Particular embodiments have been described and illustrated, but such embodiments should be considered merely as examples and should not be considered as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pharmacy transaction device including at least one booth, wherein each booth of the at least one booth is accessible from at least the customer side of the pharmacy counter and the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter on the opposite side of the customer side of the pharmacy counter, and at least one pharmacy transaction device is provided in one or more of the at least one booth.

2. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one booth are adjacent to the pharmacy counter.

3. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the at least one booth are incorporated into the pharmacy counter.

4. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein one or more of the at least one booth are attached to the pharmacy counter.

5. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein one or more of the at least one booth are directly attached to the pharmacy counter.

6. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least a part of the pharmacy counter is on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booth.

7. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further including the pharmacy counter.

8. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pharmacy counter includes retail facilities for displaying pharmacy products on the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

9. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pharmacy counter includes retail facilities displaying pharmacy products on the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

10. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein at least a part of the retail facilities is on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booth.

11. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein at least a part of the retail facilities is a shelf.

12. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein at least a part of the retail facilities is a rack.

13. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the pharmacy counter includes product storage facilities for storing pharmacy products on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

14. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the pharmacy counter includes product storage facilities in which pharmacy products are stored on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

15. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein at least some of the product storage facilities are located on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booths.

16. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein at least some of the product storage facilities are shelves.

17. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein at least some of the product storage facilities are racks.

18. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein all sides of each of the at least one booths are substantially surrounded.

19. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein all sides of each of the at least one booths are surrounded.

20. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising the at least one pharmacy transaction device.

21. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction device includes at least one payment device.

22. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction device includes at least one pharmacy computer.

23. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 22, wherein the at least one pharmacy computer is configured to access at least a database of customer medication records.

24. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein one or more of the at least one booths include at least one translucent outer wall.

25. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein one or more of the at least one booths include at least one translucent outer wall on each side of the booth.

26. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the at least one translucent outer wall enables visibility of at least substantially the entire customer area on the customer side of the pharmacy counter from within the one or more booths of the at least one booth.

27. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 26, further comprising at least one air pump communicating with the interior of one or more booths of the at least one booth and the exterior of the at least one booth, the at least one air pump being operable to exchange air between the interior of the one or more booths of the at least one booth and the exterior of the at least one booth.

28. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, further comprising lighting associated with one or more booths of the at least one booth, the lighting being operable to illuminate the interior of the one or more booths of the at least one booth.

29. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein one or more booths of the at least one booth are accessible by wheelchair at least from the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

30. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein one or more booths of the at least one booth are accessible by wheelchair at least from the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

31. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein one or more booths of the at least one booth have at least a 40 Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating.

32. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein one or more booths of the at least one booth have at least a 45 STC rating.

33. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein one or more booths of the at least one booth have at least a 50 STC rating.

34. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein one or more booths of the at least one booth have at least a 55 STC rating.

35. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein one or more of the at least one booths have at least 60 STC evaluations.

36. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the at least one booth includes a first booth and a second booth.

37. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein each of the at least one booths has sufficient sound insulation to enable confidential conversations with at least auditory privacy within each of the at least one booths.

38. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein each of the at least one booths has sufficient sound insulation to enable the collection or disclosure of personal information with at least auditory privacy within each of the at least one booths.

39. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein each of the at least one booths sufficiently diffuses light exiting each of the at least one booths or sufficiently blocks light so that no light exits each of the at least one booths, in order to enable confidential transactions with at least visual privacy within each of the at least one booths.

40. The pharmacy transaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein each of the at least one booths sufficiently diffuses light exiting each of the at least one booths or sufficiently blocks light so that no light exits each of the at least one booths, in order to enable confidential transactions with at least visual privacy within each of the at least one booths.

41. A method of conducting at least one pharmacy transaction with a pharmacy customer, the method including conducting the at least one pharmacy transaction within one or more of the at least one booths of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 40.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction is at least one confidential pharmacy transaction.

43. The method according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving at least one prescription from the pharmacy customer.

44. The method according to claim 41, 42 or 43, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction comprises providing at least one type of medicine to the pharmacy customer.

45. When dependent on claim 36, the at least one pharmacy transaction comprises receiving at least one prescription from the pharmacy customer within the first booth, and providing at least one type of medicine to the pharmacy customer within the second booth The method according to claim 41 or 42.

46. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 45, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction comprises receiving a payment amount from the pharmacy customer.

47. When dependent on claim 21, receiving the payment amount from the pharmacy customer comprises receiving the payment amount from the pharmacy customer using the at least one payment device. The method according to claim 46.

48. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 47, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction comprises providing pharmacy advice to the pharmacy customer.

49. When dependent on claim 23, the at least one pharmacy transaction comprises causing the at least one pharmacy computer to access at least the database of customer medication records. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 48.

50. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction comprises receiving personal information from the pharmacy customer.

51. When dependent on claim 23, the at least one pharmacy transaction comprises causing the at least one pharmacy computer to cause at least the database of customer medication records to store at least a portion of the personal information. The method according to claim 50.

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