Medication adherence support system, reception management device, medication management device, and medication adherence support method

Abstract

This will reduce the workload for pharmacies in printing illustrations and increase the range of illustrations that patients can choose from. [Solution] The system includes a data server 1 that stores multiple image data of illustrations to be printed on the medication, a reception machine 2 and a patient terminal 3 that perform a guide process to allow the patient to select their desired illustration by presenting a guidance screen that guides the patient in selecting an illustration, and a printing device 6 that prints the illustration selected by the guide process using image data acquired from the data server 1. The system allows the patient to select their desired illustration from among multiple illustrations stored in the data server 1 which is installed outside the printing device 6, thereby increasing the range of illustration selections, and by allowing the patient to select their desired illustration themselves through the execution of the guide process, it eliminates the need for pharmacy staff to provide service guidance or explain the illustrations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medication adherence support system, a reception management device, a medication management device, and a medication adherence support method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, systems for supporting improvement of medication adherence have been known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). The system described in Patent Document 1 includes means for notifying a user of information on medications to be taken at the medication time, means for lighting only the medicine storage chamber where the medicine to be taken is stored with an LED, means for sharing information on the user's medication status with medical staff using a sensor that senses whether a medicine sheet has been taken out of the medicine storage chamber, and means for giving a notification prompting medication guidance at an appropriate timing according to the user's medication status.

[0003] In the system described in Patent Document 2, medication schedule information created at a medical institution terminal is provided to a caregiver terminal, and medication performance information is input from the caregiver terminal and recorded in a performance recording management device. Then, a remaining medicine management device acquires the medication performance information from the performance recording management device, and based on the medicines not taken and the reasons for non-medication, gives a notification for medication guidance or a notification for adjusting the next prescription amount to the medical institution terminal.

[0004] In the medication support system described in Patent Document 3, when a staff member attempts to administer medicine to a resident, if a medicine information code attached to a medicine package bag is read by a small terminal, the small terminal transmits information on the medication schedule such as the medication date, medication time classification, and medication time interval recorded in the medicine information code to a management server. The management server determines the appropriateness of the medication based on the received information, and transmits the determination result to the small terminal for display on a display unit.

[0005] Furthermore, some pharmacies offer services that aim to improve medication adherence among children and the elderly by printing illustrations on individual medication packets and bags to make taking medication more familiar. However, providing such services has the problem of increasing the workload for pharmacies and reducing operational efficiency.

[0006] For example, when printing illustrations on packaging paper using a packaging machine installed in a pharmacy, currently, the patient must first select their desired illustration, then the machine must specify the selected illustration, and finally, the machine must be instructed to print the illustration. In this series of steps, pharmacy staff must explain the service and the illustrations to the patient, and then note down the number of the illustration selected by the patient and set it in the packaging machine. If the patient selects an illustration whose image is not stored in the packaging machine, it becomes necessary to download the image to the machine using a USB memory stick or similar device.

[0007] Furthermore, the current service can only print illustrations that are pre-stored on the packaging machine or USB memory. As a result, if there are no illustrations that patients prefer, the service often chooses not to print any illustrations, which means that the improvement in medication adherence through illustration printing cannot be achieved. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-85481 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6956569 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-84159 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] This invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to improve medication adherence by printing illustrations on packaging paper or medicine bags when dispensing medicine, and by monitoring the patient's medication status and following up as needed. The aim is to reduce the workload for pharmacies in printing illustrations and to increase the range of illustrations that patients can choose from. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the medication adherence support system of the present invention comprises a data server that stores multiple image data of illustrations to be printed on the medication packaging; an information processing device that performs guidance processing to allow the patient to select a desired illustration by presenting a guidance screen that guides the patient in selecting an illustration; and a printing device that prints the illustration selected by the guidance processing of the information processing device onto the medication packaging using image data acquired from the data server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, the present invention allows for the selection of illustrations to be printed on dispensing materials such as packaging paper and medicine bags from a pool of illustrations whose image data is stored in a data server located outside the printing device. This increases the range of illustrations that patients can choose from. Furthermore, since patients can select their desired illustration through a guide process performed by the information processing device, pharmacy staff no longer need to provide service explanations or illustration descriptions, or to write down the numbers of the illustrations selected by patients and set them in the printing device. This reduces the workload for pharmacies in printing illustrations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the medication adherence support system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a document with an illustration printed on it. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the reception management device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a medication management device according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the medication adherence support system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the medication adherence support system of this embodiment is configured to include a data server 1, a reception machine 2, a patient terminal 3, a reservation reception device 4, a reception management device 5, a printing device 6, and a medication management device 7. The reception machine 2 and the patient terminal 3 correspond to the information processing devices in the claims.

[0014] The reception machine 2, reception management device 5, and printing device 6 are installed inside each pharmacy and connected by a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The data server 1, reservation reception device 4, and medication management device 7 are installed outside the pharmacy and are connected to the reception management device 5 by a communication network such as the Internet. The medication management device 7 may also be installed in the pharmacy and connected to the reception management device 5 via LAN. The patient terminal 3 is connected to the reservation reception device 4 and the medication management device 7 by a communication network such as the Internet and / or a mobile phone network.

[0015] Data server 1 stores multiple image data files of illustrations to be printed on medication dispensing materials in its database and provides these image data files to the reception management device 5. Each image data file has metadata attached to it, such as illustration information (e.g., illustration number). Medication dispensing materials include individual packaging paper, medication bags, medication bag sheets, and medication bag labels. For example, in response to download requests from reception management devices 5 installed in each pharmacy, data server 1 provides multiple image data files of illustrations to be printed by the printing device 6 in each pharmacy to the reception management device 5 of each pharmacy.

[0016] Data Server 1 has a function to convert image data stored in the database into image data in a format that matches the specifications of Printer 6. For example, the download request sent from Reception Management Device 5 to Data Server 1 includes information about Printer 6. Based on the information about Printer 6 received along with the download request, Data Server 1 converts the image data to be downloaded from the image data stored in the database into an image data format that matches the specifications of Printer 6, and provides the converted image data to Reception Management Device 5. The image data format includes, for example, file formats such as png, jpg, and bmp, and image size.

[0017] The reception machine 2 is a device that accepts prescriptions brought by patients to the pharmacy. When a patient inserts a prescription into the reception machine 2, a scanner generates a scanned image of the prescription, and the generated scanned image is transmitted to the reception management device 5. The reception management device 5 analyzes the scanned image of the prescription and performs character recognition processing to generate prescription information indicating the contents of the prescription. The prescription information includes patient information, such as the patient's insurer number and name, and medication information, such as the prescribed medication, the number of medications prescribed (number of drugs and number of days), how to take the medication, the form of the medication (tablets, capsules, powder, liquid, etc.), and the medication schedule. Alternatively, the reception machine 2 may analyze the scanned image of the prescription to generate the prescription information and transmit the prescription information from the reception machine 2 to the reception management device 5 along with the scanned image.

[0018] The reception machine 2 guides the patient to select their desired illustration by displaying a guidance screen that directs them through the selection process. Specifically, when a prescription is inserted, the reception machine 2 provides information about a service to print an illustration on the dispensed medication and presents a list of available illustrations for the patient to select their preferred one. The available illustrations are those whose image data has been pre-downloaded from the data server 1 to the reception management device 5, and the reception management device 5 provides the reception machine 2 with their thumbnail images and illustration numbers.

[0019] The patient can perform operations on the touch panel according to the guidance screen displayed on the display of the reception device 2 to determine whether to perform illustration printing, and if illustration printing is to be performed, select the desired illustration. The selection information input by the patient's operation on the touch panel is transmitted to the reception management device 5 and managed in association with the patient-related information. This selection information includes the illustration number of the illustration desired by the patient when illustration printing is performed.

[0020] The patient terminal 3 is composed of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, and a medicine notebook application is installed. The medicine notebook application is an electronic version of the medicine notebook that enables the management of the medicine notebook recorded on paper using a smartphone or a tablet, and has as its basic function the recording of information regarding the medication history, such as when, where, what medicine, and how much was prescribed. In addition to the basic function, the medicine notebook application has various functions, including a function to manage the medication period and medication records of medicine using a calendar, and a function to record and manage health information such as blood pressure, blood sugar level, pulse, weight, body fat percentage, body temperature, and physical condition.

[0021] The medicine notebook application also has a function to transmit a photographed image of a prescription generated by photographing a prescription with a camera provided in the patient terminal 3 to the reservation reception device 4 for making a dispensing reservation. The reservation reception device 4 transmits the photographed image of the prescription received from the patient terminal 3 to the reception management device 5 together with the reservation date and time information. The reception management device 5 generates prescription information by analyzing the photographed image of the prescription and performing character recognition processing. Note that the reservation reception device 4 may analyze the photographed image of the prescription to generate prescription information and transmit the prescription information together with the photographed image from the reservation reception device 4 to the reception management device 5.

[0022] When a patient makes a prescription reservation, the medication record app guides the patient to select their desired illustration by displaying a guidance screen. This guidance process is basically the same as the guidance process performed by the reception machine 2, except that it is performed together with the prescription reservation process. The illustrations that can be selected in the medication record app are those whose image data has been pre-downloaded from the data server 1 to the reception management device 5. The thumbnail images and illustration numbers of these illustrations are provided in advance from the reception management device 5 to the reservation reception device 4, and the reservation reception device 4 presents a list of thumbnail images to the medication record app.

[0023] Patients can choose whether or not to print illustrations and, if so, select their desired illustrations by following the instructions displayed on the patient terminal 3's screen via the medication record app. The selection information entered by the patient through the touch panel is transmitted to the reception management device 5 via the reservation reception device 4 and managed in association with patient information. This selection information includes the illustration number of the illustration the patient chose to print.

[0024] In this embodiment, the patient may include children or elderly individuals. In this case, the patient terminal 3 used for making prescription reservations and selecting illustrations may be a terminal used by the patient themselves or a terminal used by a family member of the patient.

[0025] The reception management device 5 is configured, for example, as a personal computer, and accepts the patient's selection of an illustration and manages the printing of the selected illustration by the printing device 6.

[0026] The reception management device 5 downloads image data of multiple illustrations to be printed by the printing device 6 from the image data of illustrations stored in the data server 1 and stores them in a storage medium. The multiple illustrations to be printed by the printing device 6 can be specified, for example, by the staff of the pharmacy where the reception management device 5 is installed.

[0027] For example, the reception management device 5 specifies an illustration number and sends a download request to the data server 1, and in response, downloads the image data of the specified illustration from the data server 1. Alternatively, the staff may specify the illustration to be downloaded on a selection screen provided by the data server 1, and the image data of the specified illustration may be downloaded from the data server 1 to the reception management device 5.

[0028] Furthermore, the reception management device 5 stores the information (illustration number) of the illustration selected by the guide processing performed by the reception machine 2 or the medication record app on the patient terminal 3 in a storage medium, associating it with the information of the patient who selected the illustration, and manages it as reception management information. As patient information, it is possible to use the information contained in the prescription information described above. Based on the reception management information (illustration number), the reception management device 5 reads the image data of the corresponding illustration from the storage medium and supplies it to the printing device 6. If patient information is to be printed on the handout along with the illustration, the reception management device 5 supplies the patient information along with the image data of the illustration to the printing device 6.

[0029] When the reception management device 5 manages the illustration numbers supplied from the reception machine 2 as reception management information, for example, when it stores the illustration number in association with patient information on a storage medium, it adds the illustration number and patient information to the waiting list and displays them on the display of the reception management device 5. Then, when a staff member at the dispensing pharmacy selects an illustration number from the waiting list, the reception management device 5 supplies the image data corresponding to the selected illustration number to the printing device 6.

[0030] Furthermore, when the reception management device 5 manages the illustration number supplied from the patient terminal 3's medication record app via the reservation reception device 4 as reception management information, for example, when the reservation date indicated in the reservation date and time information arrives, it adds the illustration number and patient information to the waiting list and displays them on the display of the reception management device 5. Then, when a staff member at the dispensing pharmacy selects an illustration number from the waiting list, the reception management device 5 supplies the image data corresponding to the selected illustration number to the printing device 6.

[0031] The trigger for supplying image data from the reception management device 5 to the printing device 6 is not limited to the example described above. For example, the illustration number and patient information may be added to the print instruction waiting list and displayed on the display of the printing device 6. Then, when a staff member at the dispensing pharmacy selects an illustration number from the print instruction waiting list and instructs printing, the image data corresponding to the illustration number notified from the printing device 6 to the reception management device 5 may be supplied from the reception management device 5 to the printing device 6.

[0032] The printing device 6 prints illustrations selected by the patient through a guided process performed by the medication record app on the reception machine 2 or patient terminal 3 onto the medication dispensed using image data acquired from the data server 1 to the reception management device 5. In other words, the printing device 6 prints illustrations onto the medication dispensed using image data supplied from the reception management device 5. If the medication dispensed to be printed is a packaged paper, the printing device 6 is a packaged paper. If the medication dispensed to be printed is a medication bag, medication bag sheet, or medication bag label, the printing device 6 is a dedicated printer for printing those items.

[0033] Figure 2 shows an example of a package containing an illustration printed by the printing device 6. Figure 2(a) shows an example of a package with illustration 21 printed on it, and Figure 2(b) shows an example of a medicine bag sheet with illustration 21 printed on it. In addition to illustration 21, a two-dimensional code 22 is also printed on the package. Any information can be recorded in the two-dimensional code 22. For example, information such as prescription drug information, dosage and administration, and timing of administration can be recorded. In this case, the patient can check this information by scanning the two-dimensional code 22 with the patient terminal 3 before taking the medicine.

[0034] The medication management device 7 stores information about the medications dispensed to the patient and their medication history information in a storage medium, associating it with the patient's information, and manages it as medication management information. The information about the medications dispensed to the patient can be obtained using prescription information acquired by the reception management device 5 from the reception machine 2 or the reservation reception device 4 (or prescription information generated by the reception management device 5 from scanned or captured images of prescriptions acquired from the reception machine 2 or the reservation reception device 4). In other words, the medication management device 7 acquires prescription information from the reception management device 5 and stores the information about the medications contained therein in a storage medium as medication management information, associating it with the patient's information.

[0035] The medication history information used is the patient's response information regarding medication adherence entered through a confirmation screen displayed on the patient terminal 3. That is, the medication management device 7 records the medication history information on a storage medium based on the patient's response information regarding medication adherence entered through a confirmation screen displayed on the patient terminal 3, based on the information of the dispensed medication. This confirmation screen can be generated by the medication management device 7 based on the medication information, and the generated confirmation screen can be transmitted from the medication management device 7 to the patient terminal 3 and displayed on the patient terminal 3's display via the medication record app. Alternatively, the medication information can be transmitted from the medication management device 7 to the patient terminal 3, and the medication record app can generate the confirmation screen and display it on the patient terminal 3's display.

[0036] The confirmation screen asks questions related to the dispensed medication and prompts the patient to answer about their medication adherence. For example, the medication management device 7 presents a confirmation screen to the patient terminal 3 that asks questions related to the dispensed medication and prompts the patient to answer about their medication adherence, based on at least one piece of information from the prescription information used as information about the dispensed medication, such as the prescribed drug, the number of drugs prescribed, the form of the drug, and the method of administration. The patient answers about their medication adherence through the confirmation screen presented by the medication record app. The patient terminal 3 supplies the answer information to the medication management device 7. The medication management device 7 generates medication history information using the answer information supplied from the patient terminal 3 and records it in association with the patient's information.

[0037] For example, if the dispensed medications are scattered, the medication management device 7 will ask questions such as the following and display a confirmation screen on the patient terminal 3 to prompt the patient to answer questions about their medication status. • Were you able to take all the medication? (Yes / No options are provided) • Were you able to take the medication as instructed without any problems? (You were given the option to take it as a powder, mixed with water, or mixed with jelly.) • Did it take a long time or not? (Yes / No options are provided) • Reasons for the delay (Options provided: bitter taste and dislike / unfamiliar with the taste / other (please specify the reason))

[0038] Furthermore, if the prescribed medication is in tablet form, the medication management device 7 will present a confirmation screen to the patient terminal 3 asking questions such as the following to prompt the patient to respond regarding their medication adherence. • Were you able to take all the medication? (Yes / No options are provided) • Whether or not the medication was taken without any problems as instructed (options were presented: take as is / split in half and take / mix with jelly and take). • Did it take a long time or not? (Yes / No options are provided) • Reasons for the delay (Options provided: large size of medication / bitter taste / other (please specify the reason)) • Circumstances under which the medication could not be taken (Options provided: Broken into small pieces but didn't work / Mixed with jelly but didn't work / Other (describe the situation specifically))

[0039] Furthermore, a confirmation screen may be presented that asks the user whether they were able to take the medication without any problems, whether they had difficulty taking it, whether they were unable to take it, or whether they intentionally did not take it. In cases where it was difficult to take, they were unable to take it, or they intentionally did not take it, the screen may also ask them to explain the reason.

[0040] Furthermore, the medication management device 7 automatically displays a confirmation screen to the patient terminal 3 at the appropriate time according to the medication schedule, based on the medication schedule information included in the prescription information used as information about the dispensed medication. Alternatively, the medication management device 7 may display a notification message to the patient terminal 3 at the appropriate time according to the medication schedule, and then display a confirmation screen to the patient terminal 3 in response to a manual operation performed by the patient in response to that notification message.

[0041] The timing according to the medication schedule refers to, for example, in the case of a medication schedule where medication is taken after each meal, the timing is a predetermined time after the typical meal time. For example, the medication management device 7 will display a confirmation screen as the initial presentation timing, a predetermined time after the first meal time following the time the medication is dispensed, and will continue to display confirmation screens at predetermined time intervals after meals until the prescribed number of medications is used up. Note that it is not mandatory to display a confirmation screen after every meal; for example, it may be displayed once a day or once every few days.

[0042] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the reception management device 5 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the reception management device 5 of this embodiment includes, as its functional configuration, an image data acquisition unit 51, a prescription information acquisition unit 52, a selection information acquisition unit 53, an information management unit 54, and an information supply unit 55. Furthermore, the reception management device 5 of this embodiment includes an image data storage unit 56 and a reception management information storage unit 57 as storage media.

[0043] The above-described functional blocks 51 to 55 perform the processes described below through the cooperation of hardware and software. For example, the processes of the above-described functional blocks 51 to 55 are executed by the operation of programs stored in storage media such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory, under the control of a processor configured by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. In addition to the microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may also be provided.

[0044] The image data acquisition unit 51 downloads multiple image data files from the data server 1 that are to be printed by the printing device 6 and stores them in the image data storage unit 56. For example, the image data acquisition unit 51 downloads image data of an illustration specified by the pharmacy staff from the data server 1 and stores it in the image data storage unit 56.

[0045] The prescription information acquisition unit 52 acquires a scanned image of the prescription from the reception machine 2, analyzes it, and performs character recognition processing to generate prescription information indicating the prescription details. The prescription information acquisition unit 52 also acquires a photographed image of the prescription from the reservation acceptance device 4, analyzes it, and performs character recognition processing to generate prescription information indicating the prescription details. As described above, the prescription information acquisition unit 52 may also acquire prescription information generated by the reception machine 2 and the reservation acceptance device 4. The prescription information acquisition unit 52 supplies the acquired prescription information to the information management unit 54.

[0046] The selection information acquisition unit 53 acquires information (illustration number) of the illustration selected by the guide processing performed by the medication record app on the reception machine 2 and the patient terminal 3. If the guide processing is performed when accessing the reservation reception device 4 to make a prescription reservation in the medication record app, the selection information acquisition unit 53 also acquires the reservation date and time information. The prescription information acquisition unit 52 supplies the acquired illustration information (and reservation date and time information) to the information management unit 54.

[0047] The information management unit 54 stores and manages information about illustrations selected by patients through guide processing in the medication record app on the reception machine 2 and patient terminal 3 as reception management information in the reception management information storage unit 57, associating it with the information of the patient who selected the illustration. In other words, the information management unit 54 stores information about illustrations (and reservation date and time information) supplied from the selection information acquisition unit 53 in the reception management information storage unit 57, associating it with the patient information contained in the prescription information supplied from the prescription information acquisition unit 52.

[0048] The information supply unit 55 reads the image data of the illustration corresponding to the illustration number stored and managed in the reception management information storage unit 57 by the information management unit 55 from the image data storage unit 56, and supplies the read image data of the illustration to the printing device 6 as information to be used for printing the illustration. When printing patient information along with the illustration on the handout, the information supply unit 55 supplies the patient information stored in the reception management information storage unit 57 to the printing device 6 along with the image data of the illustration.

[0049] As described above, the information supply unit 55, as an example, adds the illustration number and patient information to the waiting list and displays them on the display of the reception management device 5 when the information management unit 54 stores the illustration number in the reception management information storage unit 57 in association with the patient information. Then, when a staff member at the dispensing pharmacy selects an illustration number from the waiting list, the information supply unit 55 supplies the image data (and patient information) corresponding to the selected illustration number to the printing device 6.

[0050] Furthermore, when the reservation date indicated by the reservation date and time information stored in the reception management information storage unit 57 arrives, the information supply unit 55 adds the illustration number and patient information to the waiting list and displays them on the display of the reception management device 5. Then, when a staff member at the dispensing pharmacy selects an illustration number from the waiting list, the information supply unit 55 supplies the image data (and patient information) corresponding to the selected illustration number to the printing device 6.

[0051] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the medication management device 7 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the medication management device 7 of this embodiment includes, as its functional configuration, a prescription information acquisition unit 71, a response information acquisition unit 72, an information management unit 73, a confirmation screen presentation unit 74, and an information display unit 75. Furthermore, the medication management device 7 of this embodiment includes a medication management information storage unit 76 as a storage medium.

[0052] The above-described functional blocks 71 to 75 perform the processes described below through the cooperation of hardware and software. For example, the processes of the above-described functional blocks 71 to 75 are executed by the operation of programs stored in storage media such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory, under the control of a processor configured by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. In addition to the microcomputer, a DSP or the like may also be provided.

[0053] The prescription information acquisition unit 71 acquires prescription information stored in the reception management information storage unit 57 from the reception management device 5. As described above, the prescription information includes patient information such as the patient's insurer number and name, and drug information such as the prescribed drug, the number of drugs prescribed, how to take it, the form of the drug, and the medication schedule. The prescription information acquisition unit 71 supplies the acquired prescription information to the information management unit 73.

[0054] The response information acquisition unit 72 acquires the response information regarding medication status entered by the patient from the patient terminal 3 through the confirmation screen presented to the patient terminal 3.

[0055] The information management unit 73 stores and manages information about medications dispensed to patients and medication history information as medication management information in the medication management information storage unit 76, associating it with patient information. Here, information about medications dispensed to patients and patient information are included in prescription information acquired by the prescription information acquisition unit 71. In addition, medication history information is generated based on response information acquired by the response information acquisition unit 72.

[0056] The confirmation screen display unit 74, based on the medication schedule information stored as medication management information in the medication management information storage unit 76, displays a confirmation screen to the patient terminal 3 at a timing corresponding to the medication schedule, asking questions about the content of the dispensed medication and prompting the patient to answer about their medication status. Alternatively, the confirmation screen display unit 74 displays a confirmation screen at a timing corresponding to the medication schedule and presents a notification message to the patient terminal 3 prompting them to answer about their medication status.

[0057] The information display unit 75 controls the display of drug management information stored in the drug management information storage unit 76. For example, the information display unit 75 displays drug management information on a pharmacy terminal (hereinafter referred to as the pharmacy terminal) in response to a request from the pharmacy terminal (not shown). The method of displaying drug management information is arbitrary. As an example, the information display unit 75 displays drug management information for a specified patient on the pharmacy terminal based on the patient information specified by the pharmacy terminal.

[0058] By reviewing the displayed patient medication management information, pharmacy staff can consider the need for medication guidance, changes to prescribed medications or administration methods, and other measures to improve the patient's medication adherence.

[0059] As explained in detail above, in this embodiment, in the printing device 6 that prints illustrations on the medication, a guidance process is performed at the reception machine 2 or patient terminal 3 to allow the patient to select their desired illustration by presenting a guidance screen that guides the patient to select an illustration. The printing of the illustration selected by the patient is then performed using image data obtained from the data server 1, which stores multiple image data of illustrations.

[0060] With this configuration, the illustration to be printed on the medication can be selected from multiple illustrations whose image data is stored in the data server 1 located outside the printing device 6, thereby increasing the range of illustrations that patients can choose from. Furthermore, since patients can select their desired illustration through the guidance process performed on the reception machine 2 or patient terminal 3, pharmacy staff no longer need to provide service explanations or illustration descriptions, or to write down the number of the illustration selected by the patient and set it in the printing device 6. This reduces the workload for pharmacies in printing illustrations.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the medication management device 7 manages information about medications dispensed to a patient using printed illustrations, as medication management information, in association with the patient's information. Based on the medication information, the device acquires medication status response information entered through a confirmation screen displayed on the patient terminal 3, and records medication history information in the medication management information storage unit 76 in association with the patient's information. In this embodiment, a confirmation screen is presented to the patient terminal 3 at a timing corresponding to the medication schedule, asking questions about the medications dispensed and prompting the patient to respond about their medication status.

[0062] According to this embodiment, a confirmation screen containing questions tailored to the dispensed medication is presented at an appropriate time according to the medication schedule, and information on the patient's medication adherence is collected. This makes it possible to provide timely follow-up, such as medication guidance and changes to prescribed medications or methods of administration. This not only contributes to improving medication adherence by creating a sense of familiarity with taking medication through illustrations printed on the packaging paper or medicine bag, but also makes it possible to further improve medication adherence through appropriate follow-up based on the collection of appropriate information regarding medication adherence.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example configuration was described in which image data of the illustration is downloaded in advance from the data server 1 to the reception management device 5, and the image data is supplied from the reception management device 5 to the printing device 6 to print the illustration. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the reception management device 5 may supply the printing device 6 with an illustration number as information to be used for printing the illustration in the printing device 6, and the printing device 6 may download the image data of the illustration corresponding to that illustration number from the data server 1 and perform printing.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, we have described an example in which both a confirmation screen configured to ask questions related to the dispensed medication and prompt the patient to answer about their medication adherence is presented to the patient terminal 3, and the confirmation screen is also presented to the patient terminal 3 at timings corresponding to the medication schedule. However, it is also possible to perform only one of these actions.

[0065] Furthermore, while the medication adherence support system of the above embodiment is suitable for use in improving medication adherence among children and the elderly, the target patients are not limited to children or the elderly.

[0066] Furthermore, the above embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention may be implemented, and the technical scope of the invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its gist or its main features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Data Server 2. Reception machine (information processing device) 3. Patient terminal (information processing device) 4. Reservation acceptance device 5. Reception Management Device 6 Printing device 7. Medication management device 51 Image data acquisition unit 52 Prescription Information Acquisition Department 53 Selection Information Acquisition Unit 54 Information Management Department 55 Information Supply Department 56 Image data storage unit 57 Reception Management Information Storage Unit 71 Prescription Information Acquisition Department 72 Answer information acquisition section 73 Information Management Department 74 Confirmation screen presentation section 75 Information display section 76. Drug Management Information Storage Unit

Claims

1. The Information Management Department manages information about medications dispensed to patients and their medication history information, linking it to the above-mentioned patient information, as medication management information. A confirmation screen is displayed on the patient terminal used by the patient based on the information of the drug managed by the above-mentioned information management unit, and the system includes a response information acquisition unit that acquires the response information on the patient's medication status entered by the patient through a confirmation screen that asks questions about the content corresponding to the drug dispensed and prompts the patient to answer about their medication status. The above-mentioned information management unit records the above-mentioned medication history information based on the above-mentioned response information acquisition unit. A medication management device characterized by the following features.

2. The Information Management Department manages information about medications dispensed to patients and their medication history information, linking it to the above-mentioned patient information, as medication management information. The system includes a confirmation screen displayed on the patient terminal used by the patient, and a response information acquisition unit that acquires response information regarding medication status entered by the patient through the confirmation screen displayed at a timing corresponding to the medication schedule included in the medication information managed by the information management unit, from the patient terminal. The above-mentioned information management unit records the above-mentioned medication history information based on the above-mentioned response information acquisition unit. A medication management device characterized by the following features.

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