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, a pharmacy transaction device including at least one booth, each booth of the at least one booth being 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 within one or more of the at least one booths, there are at least 1 two pharmacy transaction devices is disclosed.

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

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

[0007] [[ID=第44]]In some embodiments, one or more of the at least one booths 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 portion of the pharmacy counter is located on the opposite side of one or more of the booths in at least one group.

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

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

[0012] In some embodiments, the pharmacy counter includes retail equipment on the customer side of the pharmacy counter that displays pharmacy products.

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

[0014] In some embodiments, at least some of the retail equipment consists of shelves.

[0015] In some embodiments, at least some of the retail equipment consists of racks.

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

[0017] In some embodiments, the pharmacy counter includes a product storage facility on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter for storing pharmacy products.

[0018] In some embodiments, at least some of the product storage equipment is located on the opposite side of one or more of the booths in at least one group of 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 includes at least one translucent outer wall.

[0028] In some embodiments, one or more of at least one booth includes 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 communicating with the interior of one or more of the booths and the exterior of at least one booth, the at least one air pump being operable to exchange air between the interior of one or more of the booths and the exterior of at least one booth.

[0031] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes lighting associated with one or more booths of at least one set of booths, the lighting being operable to illuminate the interior of one or more booths of at least one set of 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 accessible by wheelchair from at least the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

[0034] In some embodiments, one or more of the booths have at least 40 sound transmission class (STC) ratings.

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

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

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

[0038] In some embodiments, one or more of the 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 booth of at least one booth is sufficiently soundproofed to allow confidential discussions with at least auditory privacy within each booth of at least one booth.

[0041] In some embodiments, each booth of at least one booth is sufficiently soundproofed to enable the collection or disclosure of personal information within each booth of at least one booth while maintaining at least auditory privacy.

[0042] In some embodiments, each booth of the at least one booth is configured to sufficiently diffuse the light that leaves each booth of the at least one booth, or to sufficiently block the light that leaves each booth of the at least one booth, in order to enable confidential transactions with at least visual privacy within each booth of the at least one booth.

[0043] According to at least one embodiment, a method for conducting at least one pharmacy transaction with a pharmacy customer is disclosed, which includes conducting at least one pharmacy transaction in one or more booths of at least one set of booths.

[0044] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction is at least one secret pharmacy transaction.

[0045] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving at least one prescription from a pharmacy customer.

[0046] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes providing at least one type of medication to a pharmacy customer.

[0047] 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 medication to the pharmacy customer in a second booth.

[0048] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving payment from a pharmacy customer.

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

[0050] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes providing pharmacy advice to a pharmacy customer.

[0051] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes causing at least one pharmacy computer to access at least one database of customer medication records.

[0052] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving personal information from a pharmacy customer.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least one pharmacy transaction includes causing at least one pharmacy computer to ensure that at least one customer medication record database stores at least a portion of the personal information.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will be able to see other embodiments and features by examining the following description of exemplary embodiments together with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0055] [Figure 1]This is a floor plan of a pharmacy according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pharmacy booth. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a booth according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a pharmacy transaction system, including a pharmacy transaction device, located within the booth. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0056] Referring to Figure 1, the entirety of a pharmacy according to one embodiment is shown as 100. The pharmacy 100 includes a pharmacy counter 101. The entire customer area of ​​the pharmacy 100 is shown as 102, which is on the customer side of the pharmacy counter 101, and the entire customer side is shown as 103. The customer area 102 may be accessible to the general public or other persons (e.g., hospital patients, residents of care homes or groups of other individuals). The customer area 102 may include retail fixtures (e.g., retail fixtures 104 and 105) for displaying, or actually displaying, pharmacy products (e.g., drugs, medical devices, one or more other pharmacy products, or combinations of two or more of these) within the customer area 102. Such retail fixtures may include one or more shelves, one or more racks, one or more other retail fixtures, or combinations of two or more of these. Such retail equipment may be positioned at a distance from the pharmacy counter 101, as shown in Figure 1, or alternatively, it may be adjacent to the pharmacy counter 101, or it may be attached to the pharmacy counter 101.

[0057] The entire dispensing area of ​​pharmacy 100 is shown as 106, and the dispensing area is on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter 101, which is shown as 107, and is on the opposite side of the pharmacy counter 101 from the customer side 103. 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). Furthermore, generally, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other pharmacy staff are allowed to enter the dispensing area 106, and access to the dispensing area 106 by the general public is restricted.

[0058] 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 prevents or obstructs people from moving 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 substitutes for the pharmacy counter 101.

[0059] Pharmacy 100 further includes booths 108 and 109, but alternative embodiments may include only a single booth or three or more booths. Booths 108, 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. Parts of the pharmacy counter 101 are located on the opposite side of booths 108 and 109. For example, in the shown embodiment, the pharmacy counter 101 includes parts 110, 111, and 112. Parts 110 and 111 are on the opposite side of booth 108, and parts 111 and 112 are on the opposite side of booth 109. However, alternative embodiments may differ. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the pharmacy counter may be spaced apart from the booths, or located on only one side of the booths.

[0060] The pharmacy counter 101 may include retail equipment for displaying, or actually displaying, pharmacy products (such as drugs, medical devices, one or more other pharmacy products, or combinations of two or more thereof) on the customer side 103 of the pharmacy counter 101. Such retail equipment may be on the opposite side of booth 108, on the opposite side of booth 109, or both. Such retail equipment may include one or more shelves, one or more racks, one or more other retail equipment, or combinations of two or more thereof. However, alternative embodiments may differ. Alternative embodiments may include other retail equipment, or may omit retail equipment from the pharmacy counter 101.

[0061] Furthermore, the pharmacy counter 101 may include product storage equipment for, 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 equipment may be on the opposite side of booth 108, on the opposite side of booth 109, or both. Such product storage equipment may include one or more shelves, one or more racks, one or more other product storage units, or combinations of two or more of these. However, alternative embodiments may differ. Alternative embodiments may include other product storage equipment, or product storage equipment may be omitted from the pharmacy counter 101.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2, booth 108 has side walls 113, 114, 115 and 116. Booth 108 may be square, rectangular, circular or other shapes. Booth 108 may have a length, width and other dimensions suitable for accommodating up to four people.

[0063] Booth 108 includes a door 117 in wall 113 and a door 118 in wall 115. When open, door 117 allows passage between the interior of booth 108 and the customer side 103. When open, door 118 allows passage between the interior of booth 108 and the dispensing side 107. Thus, booth 108 is accessible from at least the customer side 103 and the dispensing side 107 of the pharmacy counter 101. Booth 108 may also be wheelchair accessible from the customer side 103 of the pharmacy counter 101, from the dispensing side 107 of the pharmacy counter 101, or both. Walls 113, 114, 115, and 116 and doors 117 and 118 may be referred to individually or collectively as the exterior walls of booth 108.

[0064] In some embodiments, one or both of the doors 117 and 118 may be lockable by a suitable locking mechanism. For example, a customer may be able to lock door 117 from inside booth 108 to prevent another customer from entering the booth. Furthermore, when booth 108 is not in use (for example, when the pharmacist is absent), locking one of the doors 117 and 118 may prevent entry from the customer side 103 to the dispensing side 107.

[0065] Booth 108 may be constructed from any suitable material. For example, parts of Booth 108 may be constructed from wood, metal, glass, plastic, or textile (such as cotton).

[0066] In the embodiments shown, the walls 113, 114, 115, and 116 and the doors 117 and 118 include translucent plastic, translucent glass, one or more other translucent materials, or two or more combinations thereof, essentially consisting of translucent plastic, translucent glass, one or more other translucent materials, or two or more combinations thereof, or consisting of translucent plastic, translucent glass, one or more other translucent materials, or two or more combinations thereof. In this specification, “translucent” includes but is not limited to “transparent”. As a result, the booth 108 has at least one translucent exterior wall, and each side of the booth 108 has at least one translucent exterior wall (i.e., the sides of the walls 113, 114, 115, and 116 and the doors 117 and 118). Furthermore, the walls 113, 114, 115, and 116 and the doors 117 and 118 allow visibility from inside the booth 108 to at least substantially the entire customer area 102. Such visibility may allow 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 exterior 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 inside booth 108, while preventing other people in customer area 102 from seeing customers inside booth 108.

[0067] Furthermore, there may be lighting inside booth 108, or lighting inside booth 108 may be provided from lighting outside booth 108. In the shown embodiment, a light source 119 is associated with booth 108, and the light source 119 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 differ, and in other embodiments, lighting for illuminating the interior of booth 108 may be provided by one or more light sources which may be outside booth 108, one or more light sources which may be inside booth 108, or one or more light sources which may be part of booth 108.

[0068] In some embodiments, one or more exterior walls of booth 108 may allow a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, other pharmacy staff, and / or customer to see inside booth 108 from outside in order to determine whether booth 108 is in use. This may help ensure that pharmacy transactions and / or discussions using booth 108 remain confidential by reducing the likelihood of someone inside booth 108 being disturbed by another person trying to enter booth 108.

[0069] Booth 108 contains a desk 120 and chairs 121 and 122. The desk 120 does not function as a barrier between the customer area 102 and the dispensing area 106 on its own. However, alternative embodiments may include a barrier between the customer area 102 and the dispensing area 106 within booth 108. Furthermore, a pharmacy computer 123 and payment devices 124 are located on the desk 120 and within booth 108. The payment devices 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.

[0070] Alternative embodiments may differ. For example, referring to Figure 3, an entire booth according to another embodiment is shown as 125. Booth 125 has a desk 126 but no chair. Similar to the embodiment in Figure 2, the desk 126 also does not function as a barrier between the customer area and the dispensing area by itself. However, alternative embodiments may differ. As a result, in the shown embodiment, desk 126 is higher than desk 120 and has a height suitable for interaction between a standing pharmacist, pharmacy technician or other pharmacy staff and a customer. However, alternative embodiments may vary and may have one or more different desks, one or more different desks may have different heights or be different in other ways. A pharmacy computer 127 is located on desk 126 and inside booth 125, and the pharmacy computer 127 may be similar to the pharmacy computer 123. In general, booth 125 may be similar to booths 108 and 109, and booth 125 may have one or more payment devices, such as payment device 124.

[0071] Referring to Figure 4, the pharmacy computer 123 communicates with one or more input / output devices, such as a display 128, a keyboard 129, and a mouse 130, which may facilitate interaction between the pharmacy computer 123 and a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or other pharmacy staff, as described herein. Furthermore, the pharmacy computer 123 communicates with a payment device 124 to facilitate payment adjustments using customer medication records. However, in alternative embodiments, the pharmacy computer 123 does not need to communicate with the payment device 124. Furthermore, the pharmacy computer 123 communicates with a remote server computer 132 using a computer network 131, and the remote server computer 132 includes or communicates with a database 133. The database 133 may store various records, such as customer medication records. Thus, the pharmacy computer 123 is configured to access at least a database of customer medication records.

[0072] However, Figure 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. Furthermore, an alternative embodiment may include one or more alternatives to the remote server computer 132, the database 133, or both.

[0073] Generally, booth 108 may be enclosed on all sides with material, or substantially enclosed on all sides with material, so 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, but alternative embodiments may differ. More generally, in some embodiments, booth 108 may have sufficient soundproofing to allow confidential discussions to take place inside booth 108. In addition to or instead of that, booth 108 may include such translucent material, opaque material, or a combination thereof, so that it sufficiently diffuses light that leaves booth 108 or sufficiently blocks light that does not leave booth 108, in order to allow confidential transactions (which may include, for example, the collection of personal information, the disclosure of personal information, or both) to take place inside booth 108 with auditory privacy, visual privacy, or both. Therefore, Booth 108 may also be a place for secret pharmacy transactions and is therefore sometimes referred to as the "confidential booth."

[0074] Booth 109 may be the same as booth 108, and may contain a pharmacy computer 134 (which may be the same as pharmacy computer 123) and a payment device (which may be the same as payment device 124).

[0075] In some embodiments, booth 108 may be designated for prescription submission or used for prescription submission, for example, as a prescription submission area within pharmacy 100. Booth 109 may be designated for prescription drug collection or used for prescription drug collection, for example, as a prescription drug collection area within pharmacy 100.

[0076] However, alternative embodiments may differ. For example, if booth 108 is typically designated for or used for prescription submission, the payment device 124 may be omitted, and booth 109 may instead include a payment device (which may be the same as payment device 124).

[0077] 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, 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 any medical conditions that may relate to the prescription, receive personal information from the customer, use pharmacy computer 123 to store such personal information or information about the prescription in database 133, allow pharmacy computer 123 to access database 133, provide pharmacy advice to the pharmacy customer, perform one or more other actions of the pharmacy transaction, or a combination of two or more of these, all of which may be performed in a manner that is relatively private compared to such transactions outside booth 108.

[0078] 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 any medical conditions that may be related to one or more of those medications, discuss one or more medications, discuss the use of one or more medications, provide pharmacy advice to the pharmacy customer, receive payment for one or more medications using a payment device within Booth 109 (which may be similar to payment device 124), perform one or more other actions of a pharmacy transaction, or a combination of two or more of these, all of which may be performed in a manner that is relatively private compared to such transactions outside Booth 109.

[0079] Therefore, the pharmacy computer 123 and payment device 124 are examples of pharmacy transaction devices within booth 108. In general, the 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.

[0080] For example, one or more ventilation systems, such as one or more air pumps, may provide ventilation to booth 108, booth 109, or both.

[0081] As shown in Figure 1, booths 108 and 109 are located in a central position within pharmacy 100, which may normally be used for general pharmacy transactions such as prescription submission and prescription drug collection. For example, as described above, booths 108 and 109 may be conveniently positioned in a central position within pharmacy 100, which may normally be used for general pharmacy transactions such as prescription submission and prescription drug collection, by arranging them within pharmacy 100, adjacent to the pharmacy counter 101, incorporated into the pharmacy counter 101, or directly or indirectly attached to the pharmacy counter 101, such that there is a portion of the pharmacy counter 101 on one or both sides of booths 108 and 109.

[0082] However, in the shown embodiment, booths 108 and 109 are not required for pharmacy transactions. Furthermore, a pharmacy computer 13 is located on the pharmacy counter 101 outside booths 108 and 109. 4 (This may be the same as pharmacy computer 123), and pharmacy computer 13 4 This can facilitate transactions that do not require privacy.

[0083] Some pharmacies, such as Pharmacy 100, may include a separate private consultation room in addition to one or more booths, such as booths 108 and 109. Such a separate private consultation room may be suitable for longer conversations, such as conversations longer than five or ten minutes, and may be designed to obscure visibility between the inside and outside of the separate private consultation room. On the other hand, one or more booths, such as booths 108 and 109, may be suitable for more standard pharmacy transactions, such as prescription drug collection 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.

[0084] Pharmacy 100 is merely an example, and alternative embodiments may differ. For example, a pharmacy in an alternative embodiment may have a different configuration, more or fewer pharmacy counters, and more, fewer or different pharmacy equipment or structures.

[0085] That said, embodiments such as those described herein may make it easier and more appropriate to provide greater privacy for pharmacy transactions compared to other pharmacies.

[0086] Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered merely examples and should not be considered to limit the present invention as interpreted in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pharmacy transaction device comprising at least one booth, wherein each 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, and each of the at least one booth contains at least one pharmacy transaction device.

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

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

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

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

6. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pharmacy counter is located on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booths.

7. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, further comprising the aforementioned pharmacy counter.

8. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pharmacy counter includes retail equipment for displaying pharmacy products on the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

9. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pharmacy counter includes retail equipment displaying pharmacy products on the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

10. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the retail equipment is located on the opposite side of one or more of the at least one booths.

11. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the retail equipment among the aforementioned retail equipment is a shelf.

12. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the retail equipment is a rack.

13. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pharmacy counter includes product storage equipment for storing pharmacy products on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

14. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pharmacy counter includes a product storage facility for storing pharmacy products on the dispensing side of the pharmacy counter.

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

16. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 13, wherein at least some of the product storage equipment among the product storage equipment is a shelf.

17. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 13, wherein at least some of the product storage equipment among the product storage equipment is a rack.

18. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all sides of each of the at least one booths are substantially enclosed.

19. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all sides of each of the at least one booths are enclosed.

20. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the at least one pharmacy transaction device.

21. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction device includes at least one payment device.

22. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, 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 claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one booths include at least one translucent outer wall.

25. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, 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, wherein the at least one translucent outer wall allows visibility from within one or more of the at least one booths to at least substantially the entire customer area on the customer side of the pharmacy counter.

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

28. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising lighting associated with one or more of the at least one booths, wherein the lighting is operable to illuminate the interior of the one or more of the at least one booths.

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

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

31. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one booths have a sound transmission class (STC) rating of at least 40.

32. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one booths have at least 45 STC ratings.

33. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one booths have at least 50 STC ratings.

34. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one booths have at least 55 STC ratings.

35. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one booths have at least 60 STC ratings.

36. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one booth includes a first booth and a second booth.

37. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one booths has sufficient soundproofing to enable confidential discussions with at least auditory privacy within each of the at least one booths.

38. The pharmacy transaction device according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one booths has sufficient soundproofing to enable the collection or disclosure of personal information within each of the at least one booths while maintaining at least auditory privacy.

39. The pharmacy transaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one booths sufficiently diffuses the light that leaves each of the at least one booths, or sufficiently blocks light from leaving 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. A method for conducting at least one pharmacy transaction with a pharmacy customer, comprising conducting the at least one pharmacy transaction in one or more of the at least one booths of the apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 39.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction is at least one secret pharmacy transaction.

42. The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving at least one prescription from the pharmacy customer.

43. The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes providing at least one type of medicine to the pharmacy customer.

44. The at least one booth includes a first booth and a second booth, The aforementioned at least one pharmacy transaction, Receiving at least one prescription from the pharmacy customer within the first booth, and To provide at least one type of drug to the pharmacy customer within the second booth. The method according to claim 40, including the method described in claim 40.

45. The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving payment from the pharmacy customer.

46. The at least one pharmacy transaction device includes at least one payment device, The method according to claim 45, wherein receiving the payment from the pharmacy customer includes receiving the payment from the pharmacy customer using the at least one payment device.

47. The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes providing pharmacy advice to the pharmacy customer.

48. The at least one pharmacy computer is configured to access at least a database of customer medication records, The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes causing the at least one pharmacy computer to access the database of customer medication records.

49. The method according to claim 40, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes receiving personal information from the pharmacy customer.

50. The at least one pharmacy computer is configured to access at least a database of customer medication records, The method according to claim 49, wherein the at least one pharmacy transaction includes causing the at least one pharmacy computer to store at least a portion of the personal information in the database of customer medication records.

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