Medical packaging marking system and program

Abstract

This simple process improves the efficiency of distributing medication packages to multiple patients. [Solution] The drug packaging marking system comprises a marking device that applies markings to the surface of drug packaging groups in which prescribed drugs are packaged according to the user and timing of administration, and a marking control unit that controls the marking by the marking device on drug packaging groups including drugs prescribed to multiple users, based on prescription data and marking data. The marking control unit controls the marking so that the marking position on each of the multiple drug packaging groups differs according to at least one of the user, timing of administration, and day of administration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine packaging marking system and a program for medicines.

Background Art

[0002] In hospitals or pharmacies, etc., a packaging device that divides the medicines to be taken by the user into individual packages for each dosing time may be used. And the medicines packaged by the packaging device are transported in batches for multiple users to facilities such as hospitals or elderly care facilities where multiple users are admitted or reside, in addition to outpatient patients, and are dispensed to the users by dispensing personnel such as nurses or helpers. In preparation for dispensing, the medicine packages of multiple users are arranged in order of dosing time and stored in a medicine package storage tool such as a dispensing tray or a medicine calendar.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6955666 discloses a medicine arrangement confirmation system for confirming whether medicine packages are accurately stored in a medicine set tool such as a medicine calendar or a dosing calendar. Set position-related information related to the position of the medicine package to be held in the medicine set tool is attached to the medicine package. A computer determines whether each medicine package is correctly stored in the medicine set tool based on the set position-related information of the medicine package photographed by the photographing means and the position relative to the medicine set tool.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 7502631 discloses a dispensing support system that can improve the working efficiency of an operator regarding dispensing to multiple users. The dispensing support system includes an assignment processing unit that can assign multiple dosing times to one dispensing time, and a packaging processing unit that causes a packaging device to perform a packaging operation of dividing the medicines corresponding to the users into individual packages for each dosing time. The packaging processing unit causes the packaging device to perform the packaging operation in a mode in which the medicine packages corresponding to multiple users for the same dispensing time are consecutive.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] This application discloses a marking system and program that can improve the efficiency of dispensing drug packets to multiple users with a simple process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The drug packaging marking system in an embodiment of the present invention comprises a marking device that applies markings to the surface of drug packaging groups in which prescribed drugs are packaged according to the user and timing of administration, and a marking control unit that controls the marking by the marking device on drug packaging groups including drugs prescribed to multiple users, based on prescription data and marking data. The marking control unit controls the markings so that for each of the multiple drug packaging groups, the marking position on the drug packaging differs according to at least one of the user, the timing of drug distribution based on the timing of administration, and the day of drug distribution based on the day of administration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a packaging machine including a drug packaging marking system in this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of an error in the placement of medication packets in a medication tray. [Figure 3] Figure 3 illustrates a modified example of marking control. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates other variations of marking control. [Figure 5] Figure 5 illustrates other variations of marking control. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a dispensing machine including the drug packaging marking system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of data illustrating the correspondence between the timing of medication distribution and the timing of medication administration. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen that receives instructions from the user regarding marking. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows examples of packaging data and marking data. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the marking device in this embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side view of the marking device shown in Figure 10, as seen from the second axis J2. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows examples of save locations and write locations. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of marking control linked to the packaging operation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Composition 1) The drug packaging marking system in an embodiment of the present invention comprises a marking device that applies markings to the surface of drug packaging groups in which prescribed drugs are packaged according to the user and timing of administration, and a marking control unit that controls the marking by the marking device on drug packaging groups including drugs prescribed to multiple users, based on prescription data and marking data. The marking control unit controls the markings so that for each of the multiple drug packaging groups, the marking position on the drug packaging differs according to at least one of the user, the timing of administration, and the day of administration.

[0010] According to the above configuration 1, for each of the medicine packet groups of medicines prescribed for a plurality of patients, markings are made so that the positions of the markings on the medicine packets differ according to at least one of the patient, the dispensing time, and the dispensing date. As a result, when the medicine packet groups of medicines prescribed for a plurality of patients are arranged in order based on at least one of the patient, the dispensing time, and the dispensing date and stored in the medicine packet storage device, it becomes easy to confirm that the medicine packets are arranged in the correct order in the medicine packet storage device. Thereby, the working efficiency of dispensing the medicine packet groups to a plurality of patients can be improved by a simple process of marking control.

[0011] The dispensing time is the time when medicine is dispensed to the patient at the facility. The dispensing time is determined based on the taking time indicated by the prescription data. For example, based on the data indicating the correspondence between the dispensing time and the taking time, the dispensing time corresponding to each taking time of each medicine indicated by the prescription data is determined. Note that the dispensing time can be the same as the taking time. The dispensing date is the day when medicine is dispensed to the patient at the facility. The dispensing date is the day when an operator such as a nurse, a facility staff member, or a pharmacist who dispenses medicine to the patient at a hospital or a geriatric health facility dispenses the medicine. The dispensing time is the time when the person in charge of dispensing dispenses the medicine on the dispensing date. The dispensing date is determined based on the taking date indicated by the prescription data. The taking date is the day when the patient takes the medicine. Note that the dispensing date can be the same as the taking date.

[0012] (Configuration 2) In the above configuration 1, when the marking control unit stores the plurality of medicine packet groups in at least one medicine packet storage device arranged vertically or horizontally in order of at least one of the patient, the dispensing time, and the dispensing date, the marking may be controlled so that the marking positions of the medicine packets arranged vertically or horizontally in the medicine packet storage device change regularly.

[0013] In the above configuration 2, the marking control unit may control the marking so that the external forms of the medicine packet groups arranged vertically or horizontally in the medicine packet storage device are the same.

[0014] (Configuration 3) In the above Configuration 1 or 2, the marking control unit may control the marking such that, for each of the plurality of medicine packet groups, the position of the marking on the medicine packet is different according to one of the user, the dispensing time, and the dispensing date, and the appearance form of the marking is different according to another one of them. Thereby, it becomes easier to confirm that the medicine packets are arranged in the correct order in the medicine packet storage device. For example, when the medicine packet groups are arranged vertically in the order based on one of the user, the dispensing time, and the dispensing date and horizontally in the order based on another one of them and stored in the medicine packet storage device, it becomes easier to confirm that the medicine packets are arranged in the correct order.

[0015] In the above Configuration 3, the marking control unit may control the marking such that, for each of the plurality of medicine packet groups, the position of the marking on the medicine packet is different according to the dispensing time or the dispensing date, and the appearance form of the marking is different according to the user. Thereby, for example, when the medicine packet groups are arranged vertically in the order of one of the dispensing time or the dispensing date and the user and horizontally in the order of the other one and stored in the medicine packet storage device, it becomes easier to confirm that the medicine packets are arranged in the correct order. In this configuration, the marking control unit may control the marking such that, for each of the plurality of medicine packet groups, the position of the marking on the medicine packet is different according to the dispensing time and the dispensing date, and the appearance form of the marking is different according to the user.

[0016] (Configuration 4) In the above Configuration 3, the marking control unit may control the marking such that, for each of the plurality of medicine packet groups, the position of the marking on the medicine packet is different according to the user, and the appearance form of the marking is different according to the dispensing time or the dispensing date. Thereby, for example, when the medicine packet groups are arranged vertically in the order of one of the dispensing time or the dispensing date and the user and horizontally in the order of the other one and stored in the medicine packet storage device, it becomes easier to confirm that the medicine packets are arranged in the correct order.

[0017] In the above configuration 4, the marking control unit may control the markings for each of the plurality of drug packet groups such that the position of the marking on the drug packet differs depending on the user, and the appearance of the marking differs depending on the timing and day of drug distribution.

[0018] The visual form of the marking is a form of marking that is identifiable by visual inspection. The visual form of the marking may be, for example, the color, pattern, shape, line pattern, number of lines, background color, background pattern, or a combination of at least two of these.

[0019] (Composition 5) In any of the above configurations 1 to 4, the marking control unit may control the markings on each of the plurality of drug packet groups so that the marking positions on the drug packets differ regularly according to the order of at least one of the patient, dispensing time, and dispensing date. This ensures that when the drug packet groups are arranged in order based on at least one of the patient, dispensing time, and dispensing date and stored in the drug packet storage device, the markings on the drug packet groups are arranged regularly. This makes it easier to confirm that the drug packets are arranged in the correct order in the drug packet storage device. For example, the drug packet groups may be marked so that the position of the markings on the drug packets changes regularly each time at least one of the patient, dispensing time, and dispensing date changes. An example of a regularly changing marking position is a change in a predetermined direction by a predetermined distance. The predetermined direction may be, for example, the direction in which the drug packet groups are continuous. Alternatively, the predetermined direction may be perpendicular to the direction in which the drug packet groups are arranged in the drug packet storage device in the order of patient, dispensing time, and dispensing date.

[0020] As an example, the marking control unit may control the markings so that the position of the markings on the drug packets differs regularly according to a predetermined order of the users. That is, when drug packets are stored in a drug packet storage device arranged vertically or horizontally in a predetermined order of the users, the markings on the drug packets may be controlled so that they are arranged regularly. In this case, the predetermined order of the users corresponds to the order of the users in the drug packets arranged in the drug packet storage device. The predetermined order of the users may be stored in the drug packet marking system in advance. The predetermined order of the users may be determined, for example, based on input from the user. The predetermined order of the users may correspond to the order in which the prescription drugs for multiple users are packaged. In this case, the packaging data may include information about the predetermined order of the users.

[0021] (Composition 6) In any of configurations 1 to 5, the drug packaging marking system may further include a marking data determination unit that receives a marking instruction from the user and determines the marking data based on the marking instruction. This allows the user's intentions to be reflected in the marking.

[0022] In configuration 6, for example, the marking data determination unit may receive instructions from the user regarding whether the position of the marking on the drug package should differ depending on the patient, the timing of drug distribution, or the date of distribution. As an example, the marking data determination unit may receive from the user information indicating the arrangement of drug packages in the drug package storage device as the marking instruction. For example, the marking instruction may be received from the user information indicating which of the patient, timing of drug distribution, and date of distribution should be on the vertical axis and which on the horizontal axis in the drug package storage device. Alternatively, the marking instruction may be received from the user information indicating the facility where the drug is distributed.

[0023] The marking by the marking device is not particularly limited, but can be done by applying simple geometric marks, such as lines, rectangles, circles (including circles, ellipses, oblongs, etc.), or dots, to the surface of the drug packet. Preferably, the markings can be visually distinguished from other markings on the drug packet by at least one difference in color, size, and area.

[0024] The marking device may be part of a printing device (e.g., a printing device) that prints characters or other information onto drug packets, or it may be a device independent of the printing device. The marking device may include a marker pen and a control mechanism that controls the position of the marker pen, and may be configured to mark the drug packet by pressing the marker pen against it. Alternatively, the marking device may be a printer using an ink ribbon or an inkjet printer. In this case, the marking device and the printing device may be realized in a single printer. Alternatively, the marking device may be a device that marks labels to be attached to drug packets.

[0025] (Composition 7) In any of the above configurations 1 to 6, the marking device may include a pen holder that holds a plurality of pens for marking, and a first stepping motor that rotates the pen holder to switch the pen used for marking.

[0026] By using a stepping motor to control the rotation of the pen holder used for switching marking pens, the rotation angle and speed of the pen holder can be efficiently controlled. This allows for more accurate and rapid control of the marking position on each drug packet. For example, when dispensing medication into multiple packets, marking can be performed while precisely controlling the marking position for each packet without delaying the dispensing operation.

[0027] In the above configuration 7, for example, the first stepping motor of the marking device may be configured to rotate the pen holder both clockwise and counterclockwise. This enables faster marking control.

[0028] (Composition 8) In any of the above configurations 1 to 7, the marking device may include a pen holder for holding at least one pen for marking, and a second stepping motor for switching the position of the pen holder between a writing position and a retracted position.

[0029] By using a stepping motor to switch the pen holder's position between the writing position and the retracted position, the switching between the writing and retracted positions can be controlled accurately and quickly. This allows for more accurate and rapid control of the marking position for each medication packet.

[0030] The writing position of the pen holder is the position where one of the pens held in the pen holder is in contact with the cartridge, and the retracted position is the position where all the pens held in the pen holder are separated from the cartridge.

[0031] In the above configuration 8, the marking control unit can adjust the retracted position of the pen holder controlled by the second stepping motor for each drug packet according to the position of the marking or the appearance of the marking. For example, when marking two consecutive drug packets with the same pen, the retracted position of the pen holder between marking the two drug packets may be controlled to be an intermediate position between the writing position and the position where the pen used for marking is switched. This allows for even faster control of the marking position of each drug packet.

[0032] (Composition 9) In any of the above configurations 1 to 8, the marking control unit may control the marking position on each drug packet by controlling the marking timing during the transport period for each drug packet in the group of drug packets transported along with the packaging. This allows for efficient marking in accordance with the packaging operation of the packaging machine.

[0033] For example, the marking control unit may, during a transition period that includes the transition from the transport period of one drug packet in the drug packet group to the transport period of the next drug packet, rotate the pen holder with the first stepping motor to switch the pen used for marking.

[0034] For example, the marking control unit can control the marking position on each drug packet by controlling the timing of switching the pen holder between the writing position and the retracted position by the second stepping motor during the transport period for one drug packet in each drug packet group.

[0035] The present invention also includes embodiments of a marking device for applying markings to the surface of a group of drug packets containing prescribed medications, the marking device having at least one of the pen holder and first stepping motor in configuration 7, and the pen holder and second stepping motor in configuration 8. This marking device allows for more accurate and rapid control of the marking position on each drug packet.

[0036] Embodiments of the present invention also include a packaging system comprising a packaging machine that packages drugs into multiple drug packet groups according to a prescription, and a marking device that marks the surface of the drug packet groups. The packaging machine comprises a dispensing unit that dispenses drugs one packet at a time based on prescription data, and a packaging unit that packages the dispensed drugs into individual drug packets. The marking device comprises at least one of the first stepping motor of configuration 7 and the second stepping motor of configuration 8. This configuration of the packaging system allows for rapid and accurate control of the marking position without delaying the packaging operation.

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention also include a program that performs at least a part of the processing of the above-described drug packaging marking system, and a non-transitory storage medium that stores the program. The program in the embodiment of the present invention is a program that controls a marking device that applies markings to the surface of drug packaging groups in which prescribed drugs are packaged according to the user and timing of administration. The program causes a computer to perform a marking control process that controls the marking of drug packaging groups containing drugs prescribed to multiple users by the marking device, based on prescription data and marking data. The marking control process includes a process that controls the marking so that the marking position on each of the multiple drug packaging groups differs according to at least one of the user, timing of administration, and date of administration.

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0039] (Example system configuration) Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example configuration of a dispensing machine 100 including a drug packaging marking system 10 in this embodiment. In the example in Figure 1, the drug packaging marking system 10 is part of the dispensing machine 100. The dispensing machine 100 comprises a dispensing unit 50, a dispensing unit 60, a printing device 40, a marking device 70, and a control unit 80. The dispensing unit 50 dispenses the medicine in individual packets based on prescription data. The dispensing unit 60 packages the dispensed medicine into individual packets. This ensures that the prescribed medicine is packaged according to the user and timing of administration. The printing device 40 prints characters or other information indicating the medicine to be packaged in that packet on the surface of each packet. The marking device 70 marks the surface of each packet in the group. The control unit 80 controls the operation of the dispensing machine 100. The dispensing unit 50, the dispensing unit 60, the printing device 40, and the marking device are controlled by the control unit 80. The control unit 80 is comprised of a computer built into or connected to the packaging machine 100.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, a group of drug packets consists of multiple drug packets P connected together. Perforations N are formed at the boundaries between the drug packets. Information S about the drug being packaged is printed on the surface of each drug packet P by a printing device 40. A marking M is applied to the surface of each drug packet P by a marking device 70.

[0041] The dispensing machine 100 is capable of communicating with a higher-level system and acquires prescription data from the higher-level system. The higher-level system consists of, for example, an electronic medical record system, a claims processing computer, an HIS (Hospital Information System), or a prescription input terminal. Prescription data includes, for example, the date of issue, order number, prescription category (new, change, etc.), prescription number, patient ID, patient name, patient date of birth, drug identification information (drug name, JAN code, GS1 code, etc.), dosage form information (oral, topical, etc.), start date of administration, duration of administration, dosage, method of administration (including timing of administration), type of medical treatment (outpatient, inpatient, facility resident, etc.), medical department, and attending physician. Note that the information in prescription data is not limited to the above examples. Furthermore, prescription data in this invention also includes data based on acquired prescription data, such as dispensing data or dispensing data generated based on prescription data acquired from the higher-level system.

[0042] The drug packaging marking system 10 includes a marking device 70, a marking control unit 12, and a marking data determination unit 11. In the example shown in Figure 1, the marking control unit 12 and the marking data determination unit 11 are part of the control unit 80. The marking control unit 12 controls the marking of drug packaging by the marking device 70 based on prescription data and marking data. The marking data is, for example, data indicating the marking to be applied to each drug packaging. For example, the marking data includes information indicating the appearance of the marking to be applied to each drug packaging (e.g., color) and its position on the drug packaging. The marking data determination unit 11 determines the marking data based on marking instructions from the user.

[0043] The marking device 70 is, for example, composed of a pen liner that presses a marker pen against a moving medicine packet to make linear markings (draw lines). In this case, the marking device 70 includes, for example, multiple marker pens of different colors (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as pens), a pen holder for storing multiple pens, a pen holder drive unit for driving the pen holder, and a pen holder information reading unit for reading information from the pen holder.

[0044] The marking control unit 12 controls the marking for each of the multiple drug packet groups so that the marking position or the appearance of the marking (e.g., color) on the drug packet differs depending on at least one of the user of the drug packaged in each drug packet, the timing of drug distribution based on the timing of drug administration, and the date of drug distribution based on the day drug administration.

[0045] The marking device 70 sequentially performs marking operations on multiple consecutive groups of drug packets. For each group of drug packets, the marking control unit 12 performs processes such as identifying the drug packet to be marked (e.g., drug packet ID such as drug packet number), determining the marking position and appearance of the target drug packet based on the marking data, and instructing the marking device 70 to perform marking at the determined marking position and appearance.

[0046] The marking data may, for example, be data indicating the correspondence between the drug package ID of each drug package and the position and appearance of the marking. Alternatively, the marking data may be data indicating the correspondence between at least one of the patient, the time of drug distribution, and the date of drug distribution, and the position and appearance of the marking. For example, if marking control is performed so that the position of the marking differs depending on the patient, the marking data includes information indicating the marking position for each patient. The marking data determination unit 11 can determine, for example, which marking position to assign to which patient based on the marking instructions received from the user. That is, the marking data determination unit 11 may determine the correspondence between at least one of the patient, the time of drug distribution, and the date of drug distribution, and the position of the marking, based on the marking instructions received from the user. The marking instructions from the user may include, for example, information indicating whether the position of the marking on the drug package should differ depending on whether the patient, the time of drug distribution, or the date of drug distribution.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 1, the packaging is carried out by a packaging machine in the order of users who take the medication at the same time. That is, medication packages for multiple users who take the medication at the same time are packaged in a predetermined order consecutively. Marking is controlled so that the marking position differs depending on the user. In other words, medication packages for the same user are marked in the same position, and medication packages for different users are marked in different positions. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 1, the order in the row direction, or vertical direction, of multiple users when arranging the medication packages in the medication package storage device T1 is predetermined. Marking is controlled so that the horizontal marking position on the medication packages differs regularly according to this predetermined order of users. That is, when a group of medication packages is stored vertically in a single medication package storage device T1 in the predetermined order of users, the marking control unit 12 controls the marking so that the marking position of each medication package arranged vertically in the medication package storage device T1 changes regularly.

[0048] Specifically, each time the user changes in a predetermined order, the marking position changes by a predetermined distance in the direction F1 where the drug packets are lined up. As an example, as shown in Figure 1, the marking device 70 is controlled to draw a line with a pen on each drug packet at a predetermined pitch shift for each user, corresponding to the order of users A to G in one row of T1. When the marked drug packets are placed in the drug packet storage container T1, in the example in Figure 1, the marking line moves in stages from left to right for each user. In this way, by regularly changing the marking position according to the predetermined order of users, when the drug packets are arranged in the drug packet storage container T1 in the predetermined order of users, the markings on the drug packets are arranged in a regular pattern. This makes it easy to confirm that the drug packets are stored in the drug packet storage container T1 in the correct order.

[0049] For example, in the example shown in Figure 1, the drug packets are arranged in a matrix with a vertical axis and a horizontal axis in the drug packet storage device. The drug packets are arranged so that the vertical axis represents the patient and the horizontal axis represents the time of administration. That is, drug packets with the same time of administration are arranged vertically in a predetermined order of the patients. The position of the markings, which changes regularly according to the predetermined order of the patients, can be positioned perpendicular to the direction in which the patients are arranged in the drug packets stored in the drug packet storage device (vertical direction in the example of Figure 1) (horizontal direction in the example of Figure 1). Figure 1 is an example where the marking position changes according to the patient, but in the case of marking control where the marking position changes according to the time of administration or the day of administration, the marking control can be similarly implemented so that the marking position changes regularly according to the order of the time of administration or the day of administration.

[0050] Figure 2 shows an example of an error in the storage of medication packets in medication packet storage device T1. In the example in Figure 2, the medication packets for patients E and D in the leftmost column are incorrectly swapped. In this case, only the markings on the medication packets for patients E and D are in a non-regular arrangement, making the error immediately obvious. This reduces the workload on the worker and helps prevent medication dispensing errors.

[0051] In the example shown in Figure 1, the marking control unit 12 controls the marking for each of the multiple drug packet groups so that the position of the marking on the drug packet differs for each patient with the same medication dispensing time, and the color of the marking also differs according to the medication dispensing time. That is, drug packets with the same dispensing time are marked with the same color, and drug packets with different dispensing times are marked with different colors. As a result, when drug packets with the same dispensing time are arranged in vertical columns or horizontal rows in the drug packet storage device T1, drug packets with the same color marking will be arranged in one column or row, and the marking color of the drug packets will differ for each column or row of drug packets with the same dispensing time. This makes it possible to see at a glance at the marking color if the drug packets are stored in the drug packet storage device T1 in the wrong order of dispensing time, in addition to the patient. Therefore, the workload of the worker is further reduced.

[0052] The timing of dispensing medications packaged in individual dose packets is determined according to a predetermined correspondence, based on the timing of administration for that particular medication. For example, if the timing of administration for a medication packaged in a packet is "before breakfast" or "after breakfast," then the dispensing time will be "morning." In other words, the dispensing time corresponds to the timing of administration.

[0053] Furthermore, as a modification of Figure 1, the marking control unit 12 may control the marking so that the marking color differs according to the day of dispensing instead of the timing of dispensing. The day of dispensing for each drug package is determined based on the day the drug is to be taken. For example, the day of dispensing a drug package may, in principle, be the same as the day the drug is to be taken. As an exception, if the drug package is dispensed the day before the day of taking the drug (for example, if a drug to be taken when waking up tomorrow is dispensed before going to bed tonight), the day before the day of taking the drug can be considered the day of dispensing.

[0054] Figure 3 illustrates a modified example of marking control. In the example in Figure 3, the medication is packaged by a packaging machine in the order of prescription. That is, medication packages for multiple administration dates and times for the same patient are packaged consecutively. The marking is controlled so that the marking position differs depending on the dispensing time and day. Specifically, medication packages for the same dispensing time and day are marked in the same position, while medication packages for different dispensing times and days are marked in different positions. In the example in Figure 1, the marking is controlled so that the marking position on the medication package differs regularly according to the order of dispensing times and days. In the example in Figure 3, the marking control unit further controls the marking so that the marking color differs depending on the patient. In the example in Figure 3, medication packages for the same patient are arranged in the vertical columns of the medication package storage device T2, and medication packages for the same dispensing time and day are arranged in the horizontal rows. In other words, the drug packets are arranged so that the vertical axis represents the date and timing of administration, and the horizontal axis represents the person taking the medication.

[0055] In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 3, the marking control unit 12 controls the marking position of each medicine packet so that the marking positions of the medicine packets arranged in the vertical rows of the medicine packet storage container are regularly different, and also controls the marking color so that the marking color differs depending on the row. This makes it easier to identify mistakes in the storage location of medicine packets in the medicine packet storage container.

[0056] Figure 4 illustrates another modification of the marking control. In the example of Figure 4, the manner in which the marking position is varied differs from that of the examples in Figures 1 and 3. That is, in the examples shown in Figures 1 and 3, the dimensions of the markings attached to each drug packet in a predetermined direction (for example, the direction F1 in which the drug packets are arranged) are the same, but the marking positions in the predetermined direction differ. In contrast, in the example of Figure 4, the marking control unit 12 varies the dimensions of the markings in the predetermined direction on each drug packet, thereby varying the marking position on the drug packets. In this way, the marking position can be varied by changing the position of at least one of the ends of the marking in the direction F1 in which the drug packets are arranged. This makes it possible to mark drug packets in a drug packet storage device in a way that makes it easier to identify errors in the storage position of the drug packets.

[0057] In the examples shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the marking control unit 12 controls the marking so that when the drug packets are arranged vertically and horizontally in the drug packet storage container, the marking positions of the vertically arranged drug packets in the container change regularly, and the appearance of the markings (for example, color) differs for each vertical column. As a modification, the marking control unit 12 may also control the marking so that when the drug packets are arranged vertically and horizontally in the drug packet storage container, the marking positions of the horizontally arranged drug packets in the container change regularly, and the appearance of the markings (for example, color) differs for each horizontal row. Furthermore, in the above examples, the appearance of the markings is color, but the appearance of the markings is not limited to this. For example, if the markings are lines, it is possible to control the line patterns (solid, dashed, dotted, dashed lines, etc.) to differentiate the appearance.

[0058] The marking data determination unit 11, the marking control unit 12, and the control unit 80 in the drug packaging marking system 10 are composed of one or more computers having a processor and memory. The computer may be built into the packaging machine or may be a general-purpose computer connected to the packaging machine. The computers constituting the marking data determination unit 11 and the marking control unit 12 may be the same as or different from the computers constituting the control unit 80.

[0059] In the examples shown in Figures 1 to 4, the drug packaging container is formed as a box having multiple drug packaging compartments arranged vertically and horizontally, i.e., in a matrix. The drug packaging container of this type is not limited to a box, but may also be a sheet having drug packaging compartments (e.g., pockets) arranged vertically and horizontally. An example of such a sheet is a medication calendar. The drug packaging container may also have a configuration having drug packaging compartments arranged only vertically or only horizontally.

[0060] Figure 5 illustrates another modification of the marking control. In the example of Figure 5, the drug packaging containers T3-1 and T3-2 are medication calendars. The medication calendar has a sheet SH and multiple pockets PK, which are drug packaging storage sections arranged vertically and horizontally on the sheet SH. Each pocket is configured to store one drug packaging with a portion of it exposed. In the example of Figure 5, the packaging configuration is such that drug packaging for multiple users taking medication at the same time is packaged in a predetermined order. The marking control unit 12 controls the marking so that when the drug packaging group is stored vertically in the drug packaging containers T3-1 and T3-2 in the predetermined order of users, the marking position of the vertically arranged drug packaging in each drug packaging container changes regularly. The marking control unit 12 controls the marking so that the marking position of the vertically arranged drug packaging group changes regularly from the initial position in the order of users in each drug packaging container.

[0061] As an example, the number of vertically arranged drug packet storage sections (pockets) in drug packet storage devices T3-1 and T3-2, i.e., the number of rows, is 7, and one drug packet storage device can store drug packets for that number of people, i.e., 7 people. The marking control unit resets the marking position to its initial position for each row of drug packet storage section in one drug packet storage device, i.e., the number of people that can be stored. As a result, the marking position of the drug packet of the first person in each drug packet storage device becomes the initial position. In the example in Figure 5, the marking position of the drug packet of person A stored in the first row of drug packet storage section in the first drug packet storage device T3-1, and the marking position of the drug packet of person H stored in the first row of drug packet storage section in the second drug packet storage device T3-2, are both in their initial positions.

[0062] The marking data determination unit 11 can assign a marking position to each patient, that is, determine the correspondence between each patient and the marking position, based on the order in which the patients are arranged in the medication storage container, as well as the number of patients that can be stored in one medication storage container (for example, the number of rows in the medication storage section). For example, the marking data determination unit 11 may determine the marking position for each patient so that, for each number of patients in one medication storage section, the marking position changes at a predetermined pitch from the initial position according to the order of the patients.

[0063] (Example of system operation) Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a dispensing machine 100 including the drug packaging marking system 10 shown in Figure 1. In the example in Figure 6, the control unit 80 determines the drug distribution group to be processed (S1). The drug distribution group includes multiple patients who are to be given medication. For example, the control unit 80 may accept a selection from the user for at least one of several pre-set drug distribution groups. In this case, the drug distribution group to be processed is determined based on the user's selection. Alternatively, when a predetermined timing, such as a pre-set reservation time for each drug distribution group, arrives, that drug distribution group may be automatically determined as the target for processing.

[0064] The control unit 80 acquires prescription data for multiple users included in the medication group to be processed (S2). The prescription data includes data for multiple prescriptions. The prescription data includes, for example, an identifier for each prescription (prescription ID), information identifying the user (user ID, name, etc.), drug identification information for the medication, the date of administration (e.g., start date and duration of administration), the method of administration (including timing of administration), the dosage, etc.

[0065] The control unit 80 determines the packaging configuration (S3). The packaging configuration may be determined to correspond to a predetermined group of medications to be processed, for example. Alternatively, the control unit 80 may receive instructions for the packaging configuration from the user. The packaging configuration is determined by which items are to be consecutive in the group of medication packages. Examples of packaging configurations include configurations in which multiple dose times for the same patient on the same day are consecutive (repetition), and configurations in which the same dose time for the same patient on multiple days is consecutive (continued). Another example of a packaging configuration is when medication packages for multiple patients are consecutive and the dispensing time is the same.

[0066] The control unit 80 determines the dispensing time corresponding to each administration time for each drug included in the prescription data (S4). Based on the data showing the correspondence between dispensing time and administration time, the dispensing time corresponding to each administration time for each drug shown in the prescription data is determined. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of data showing the correspondence between dispensing time and administration time. In the example in Figure 7, one or more administration times are associated and stored for each dispensing time. In addition, the data in Figure 7 sets the order of dispensing times. In the example in Figure 3, the order of dispensing times is "morning," "noon," "evening," and "before bed." The order of dispensing times corresponds, for example, to the output order (dispensing order) in the individual packaging, or the order in which the individual packaging is arranged in the individual packaging container. Note that the administration time and dispensing time may include at least two types of times from among those defined in relation to meals, such as "after lunch," those defined in relation to the user's actions, such as "before bed," and those defined by time or time zone, such as "11 o'clock" and "afternoon."

[0067] In S5 of Figure 6, the control unit 80 determines the marking data. The marking data includes, for example, information indicating the marking position and color of each drug packet. The marking data determination unit 11 may determine pre-stored marking data as the marking data to be used. Alternatively, the marking data determination unit 11 may receive instructions from the user regarding which of the following items should result in different marking positions on the drug packets: the patient, the timing of drug distribution, and the date of drug distribution. In this case, the marking data determination unit determines the marking position of each drug packet so that it differs according to the item instructed by the user. For example, if the user instructs the patient as the item to which the marking position should differ, the marking data determination unit determines the marking position of each drug packet so that it differs according to the patient.

[0068] The marking data determination unit may receive instructions from the user regarding which of the following items—the patient, the timing of dispensing, or the date of dispensing—should result in different marking colors on the drug packets. In this case, the marking data determination unit determines the marking color of each drug packet so that it differs according to the item instructed by the user. For example, if the user instructs the timing of dispensing as the item to which the marking color should differ, the marking data determination unit determines the marking color of each drug packet so that it differs according to the timing of dispensing.

[0069] Figure 8 shows an example of a screen that receives instructions from the user regarding marking. Screen G1 in Figure 8 is provided with input tools R4 for the vertical axis items and R5 for the horizontal axis items of the medicine tray, and input tools R2 for the number of rows and R3 for the number of columns of the medicine packaging container. This allows the system to receive information from the user indicating the arrangement of medicine packages in the medicine packaging container. Specifically, the system can receive instructions from the user regarding which of the following should be used as the vertical axis and which as the horizontal axis in the medicine packaging container: patient, dispensing time, and dispensing date. In this case, the marking data determination unit 11 determines the marking position and color of each medicine package so that the marking position differs according to the item specified on the vertical axis of the medicine packaging container, and the marking color differs according to the item specified on the horizontal axis. Note that the instructions that the marking data determination unit receives from the user are not limited to the example in Figure 8. For example, the marking data determination unit may receive the order of patients from the user.

[0070] Screen G1 displays a marking image of the medicine packets based on the arrangement of the packets in the medicine packet holder entered by the user. This marking image shows the position and color of the markings on each packet in the medicine packet holder when the packets are stored in the medicine packet holder in the arrangement entered by the user. This allows the user to understand the pattern of markings on the medicine packet group in the medicine packet holder.

[0071] Furthermore, screen G1 includes a facility designation tool R1 that accepts the user's designation of the facility where the medication will be dispensed. The medication marking system 10 can pre-store marking data corresponding to each facility. In this case, the marking data determination unit 11 determines the marking data corresponding to the facility specified by the user as the marking data to be used for marking control.

[0072] The control unit 80 causes the dispensing unit 50 and the dispensing unit 60 of the dispensing machine 100 to perform a dispensing operation based on the prescription data acquired in S2 and the dispensing pattern determined in S3 (S6). For example, the control unit 80 generates dispensing data based on the prescription data and the dispensing pattern determined in S3, and causes the dispensing machine 100 to perform a dispensing operation based on the dispensing data. The prescription data includes information indicating the drugs to be packaged in each of the output drug package groups, and the dispensing pattern includes information indicating the order in which each drug package is to be packaged. Based on the prescription data and the dispensing pattern, dispensing data can be generated that includes information for dispensing the prescribed drugs into drug package groups in a predetermined order according to the user and timing of administration.

[0073] The control unit 80 controls the printing device 40 to print information about the medicine packaged in each medicine packet on the surface of each medicine packet output from the packaging unit 60 (S7). For example, information indicating the medicine in each medicine packet, the user, the date of administration, and the timing of administration, as shown by the packaging data, is printed on each medicine packet.

[0074] The marking control unit 12 causes the marking device 70 to mark the surface of each of the drug packets based on the packaging data and marking data (S8). The marking control unit 12 controls the marking by the marking device 70 so that the marking position on each drug packet differs according to at least one of the user, the timing of dispensing, and the day of dispensing.

[0075] Figure 9 shows an example of packaging data and marking data. In the example in Figure 9, each drug package is assigned a drug package ID. The drug package ID includes a number indicating the packaging order. Each record of the packaging data (dispensing date, dispensing time, administration date, administration time, patient, medication, prescription ID) is stored in association with each drug package ID. In addition, each record of the marking data (marking color and position) is stored in association with each drug package ID. The marking control unit 12 can control the color and position of the marking applied to each drug package by the marking device 70 according to the marking color and position of each drug package indicated by the packaging data and marking data. Note that Figure 9 is an example of data when marking is controlled so that the marking position differs depending on the patient and the marking color differs depending on the time of administration.

[0076] In the example above, the drug packaging marking system 10 is part of the packaging machine 100. As a modification, the drug packaging marking system 10 may be provided independently of the packaging machine 100 and configured to apply markings to the drug packaging groups output from the packaging machine 100. As another modification, the drug packaging marking system 10 may be part of an inspection device.

[0077] Furthermore, by combining the drug package marking system 10 with the dispensing machine 100 and the inspection device, the efficiency of work related to dispensing medication to multiple users can be further improved. For example, by setting the dispensing pattern in the dispensing machine 100 to a pattern in which drug packages for multiple users at the same dispensing time are consecutive, the efficiency of storing the drug packages in the drug package storage device can be improved. On the other hand, it is more efficient to perform the inspection work for each user (prescription). From the viewpoint of inspection efficiency, it is preferable that the dispensing pattern be such that drug packages for multiple dispensing times and days for the same user are consecutive. Therefore, in the inspection system, each of the drug package groups that have been dispensed in a pattern in which drug packages for multiple users at the same dispensing time are consecutive can be photographed, and the images of the photographed drug package groups can be displayed sequentially so that multiple dispensing times and days for the same user are consecutive. This makes it possible to improve both the efficiency of storing the drug packages in the drug package storage device and the efficiency of the inspection.

[0078] The drug packet marking system 10 is suitably applicable to systems that supply groups of drug packets containing prescription medications for multiple users to facilities where medication is dispensed to multiple users, such as elderly care facilities and nursing homes. In such facilities, for example, when a pharmacist or facility staff member places the drug packets into a drug packet storage container, they place each packet in a position corresponding to the dispensing time, dispensing date, and user. The worker visually confirms that each drug packet is placed in the correct position in the drug packet storage container. Without marking by the drug packet marking system 10, the worker would need to visually check each drug packet to confirm the user's name, dispensing time, and dispensing date printed on it. As a result, the time and effort required for visual confirmation would increase. With the drug packet marking system 10 of this embodiment, the worker can confirm that each drug packet is placed in the correct position simply by confirming that the markings are arranged regularly in the drug packet storage container. Furthermore, if there is an error in the placement of the drug packets, the worker can easily discover the error.

[0079] Figure 10 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of a marking device in this embodiment. The marking device 70 shown in Figure 10 includes a pen holder 4 that holds multiple pens 5, a first stepping motor 2 that rotates the pen holder 4 around a first axis J1, and a second stepping motor 3 that rotates the pen holder 4 around a second axis J2. The directions of the first axis J1 and the second axis J2 are different. In the example in Figure 10, the first axis J1 is the same as the axial direction of the pens 5 held in the pen holder 4. The second axis J2 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the pens 5 held in the pen holder 4. The first stepping motor 2 rotates the pen holder 4 to switch the pen used for marking. The second stepping motor 3 moves the pen holder 4 between a writing position and a retracted position.

[0080] The pen holder 4 is rotatably mounted to the base frame 8 around a first axis J1 and a second axis J2. As a specific example, the marking device 70 has a support member 6 that supports the pen holder 4. The pen holder 4 is rotatably supported by the support member 6 around the first axis J1. The support member 6 is rotatably mounted to the base frame 8 around the second axis J2.

[0081] The marking device 70 includes a first transmission member 7 that transmits the movement of the first stepping motor 2 to the pen holder 4, and a second transmission member 9 that transmits the movement of the second stepping motor 3 to the pen holder 4. As an example, the first transmission member 7 is a friction wheel attached to the output shaft of the first stepping motor 2 and rotating coaxially with this output shaft. The friction wheel is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pen holder 4. Rotation is transmitted by friction between the friction wheel and the outer circumferential surface of the pen holder 4. Note that the first transmission member 7 is not limited to a friction wheel, but may be a gear, for example.

[0082] As an example, the second stepping motor 3 can be a linear-acting stepping motor whose output shaft moves in a straight line. In this case, the second transmission member 9 is composed of a link member that transmits the linear motion of the motor's output shaft as rotational motion of the pen holder 4. In the example shown in Figure 11, the link member connects the output shaft of the linearly moving second stepping motor 3 to the pen holder 4. One end of the link member is rotatably mounted to the pen holder 4 around the second axis J2. The other end of the link member is rotatably mounted to the output shaft of the second stepping motor 3 around the second axis J2. Note that the configuration of the second stepping motor and the second transmission member is not limited to this. For example, the second stepping motor may be configured so that its output shaft rotates, and the second transmission member may be a gear that transmits the rotation of this output shaft to the pen holder 4. In this case, for example, the second transmission member can be a gear that meshes with a gear provided on the output shaft of the second stepping motor, such as a crown gear (face gear), and rotates around the second shaft J2.

[0083] Figure 11 is a side view of the marking device shown in Figure 10, as seen from the second axis J2. In Figure 11, the support member 6 and other components are omitted from the illustration. Figure 11(a) shows an example where the pen holder 4 is in the retracted position, and Figure 11(b) shows an example where the pen holder is in the writing position.

[0084] The first stepping motor 2 allows for quick and accurate switching of pens. Specifically, the stepping motor controls its rotation angle using pulse signals from its own driver. Therefore, the first stepping motor 2 can accurately and quickly control the rotation angle of the pen holder 4 around its first axis.

[0085] As a comparative example, if a brushless motor, rather than a stepping motor, is used to rotate the pen holder 4 around the first axis J1, positional misalignment will accumulate as the pen position switching operation is repeated. To address this, for example, it becomes necessary to limit the rotation direction of the pen holder to one direction only, and to detect the fixed position and reset the misalignment by detecting an identifier (magnet) provided on the pen holder with a Hall IC sensor after each rotation. Therefore, the pen switching operation takes time. In contrast, with the first stepping motor 2 of this embodiment, the rotation angle of the pen holder 4 can be accurately controlled by motor control without relying on sensors to detect the rotation position of the pen holder 4. Furthermore, since the pen holder 4 can be rotated not only in one direction but also in the opposite direction, i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise, it becomes possible to switch pens with the shortest possible rotation angle.

[0086] The second stepping motor 3 allows the pen holder 4 to move quickly and accurately between the writing position and the retracted position. This enables precise control of the marking position and appearance of the markings on each medication packet. Furthermore, the second stepping motor 3 allows for fine control of the retracted position for markings on each medication packet. For example, the marking control unit 12 can control the second stepping motor 3 so that the retracted position is at an appropriate position according to the position and color of the markings on each medication packet.

[0087] Figure 12 shows examples of retracted and writing positions controlled by the second stepping motor. Figure 12(a) shows the pen holder 4 in the first retracted position, and Figure 12(b) shows it in the second retracted position. Figure 12(c) shows the pen holder 4 in the writing position. In the writing position, one of the pens of the pen holder 4 touches the medicine packet P. The second retracted position is an intermediate position between the first retracted position and the writing position. That is, the second retracted position is closer to the writing position than the first retracted position. Specifically, the rotation angle θ2 of the first axis J1 of the pen holder in the writing position relative to the first axis J1 of the pen holder in the first retracted position is greater than the rotation angle θ1 of the second retracted position relative to the first axis J1 of the pen holder in the first retracted position (θ1 < θ2).

[0088] For example, the first retracted position can be set as the fixed position of the pen holder 4. The marking control unit 12 can control the second stepping motor so that the pen holder 4 moves between at least three points: the first retracted position (fixed position), the second retracted position, and the writing position. Whether the retracted position is set as the first retracted position or the second retracted position may be controlled, for example, according to the marking position or marking color of each medicine packet. For example, if marking is done by writing multiple times with a pen of the same color, the pen holder 4 may be controlled to wait in an intermediate position, i.e., the second retracted position, during the retraction period between multiple writing periods. This shortens the travel time between the retracted position and the writing position.

[0089] As shown in the example above, the marking device 70, having a first stepping motor 2 and a second stepping motor 3, can improve the accuracy of the marking position on each drug package and the marking speed. By increasing the marking speed, for example, the number of dotted lines that can be drawn per package can be increased. Alternatively, it becomes possible to adjust the marking position on each drug package in a continuous group of drug packages by slightly shifting it. Furthermore, the marking device 70 often marks drug packages that are transported along with the packaging operation of the packaging machine 100. In this case, the marking device can mark each drug package with a precisely controlled marking position or appearance without reducing the transport speed of the packaging machine.

[0090] The marking control unit 12 controls the marking by the marking device 70 on the group of drug packets transported in conjunction with the packaging operation of the packaging machine 100. The marking control unit 12 acquires transport information from the packaging machine 100 indicating the transport status of the group of drug packets and controls the marking according to the transport information. This allows for the control of marking for each drug packet in the group of drug packets transported in conjunction with packaging. For example, the marking control unit 12 can determine which drug packets are passing through the writing position of the marking device based on the transport information. The marking control unit 12 controls the timing of marking during the period in which one drug packet is transported through the writing position. This controls the marking position on that one drug packet.

[0091] The marking control unit 12 may acquire, for example, pulse signals generated at regular intervals of a certain amount of transported drug packets as transport information. In this case, the marking control unit 12 can determine which drug packet is passing through the writing position of the marking device 70 by, for example, counting the number of pulses from a reference point. That is, it can determine the start time of marking for each drug packet. Information indicating the reference point may be included in the transport information. The reference point can be, for example, the time of processing or detection of a drug packet upstream of the marking device 70. As an example, the time when printing processing for a certain drug packet is started is used as the reference point, and when a predetermined number of pulses are counted, it is determined that the drug packet has passed through the writing position of the marking device 70. In this way, the marking control unit 12 can determine the start time of marking for each drug packet based on the transport information. As a result, marking can be performed on each drug packet in conjunction with the packaging operation of the packaging machine 100. The pulse signal generated at each certain transport volume is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a pulse signal generated in response to the movement of the transport device (e.g., the rotation of a motor), or a pulse signal generated based on the detection result of a sensor that detects the transport of drug packets.

[0092] Figure 13 shows an example of marking control linked to the packaging operation. In the example in Figure 13, a pulse signal PS generated each time a certain amount of drug packets are transported is acquired as transport information. The marking control unit 12 controls the switching of the pen used for marking each drug packet and the timing of writing based on the pulse signal PS. In the example in Figure 13, the start and end times of the writeable period for each of the n, n+1, and n+2 drug packets are determined by the number of pulses from the reference point. At the start time t11 of the nth drug packet based on the pulse signal, the marking control unit 12 causes the first stepping motor 2 to switch the pen used for marking. Whether or not to perform the pen switching operation is determined, for example, based on the marking data. At time t12, after a predetermined period T11 has elapsed from the start time t11 of the nth drug packet, the marking control unit 12 causes the second stepping motor 3 to move the pen holder 4 from the retracted position to the writing position. T11 can be, for example, the period from time t11 until a predetermined number of pulses are generated. The number of pulses that determine T11 can be, for example, a value based on the marking position indicated by the marking data. This starts marking at the marking position of the drug packet indicated by the marking data. At time t13, after a predetermined period T12 has elapsed from the time t12 when marking starts, the marking control unit 12 causes the second stepping motor 3 to move the pen holder 4 from the writing position to the second retracted position (intermediate position). Here, whether the retracted position is the first retracted position (fixed position) or the second retracted position (intermediate position) may be determined by whether or not a pen switch is necessary for the next drug packet (the (n+1)th drug packet). In the case of Figure 13, as an example, it is determined that a pen switch is not necessary because the nth drug packet and the (n+1)th drug packet are marked with the same color. Furthermore, the period T12 from the start of writing t12 to the time of movement to the storage position t13, i.e., the end of writing t13, can be a value based on marking data. This allows marking to be performed, for example, by the length of the marking line or the line type (dotted line, dashed line, etc.) indicated by the marking data. The time n21 when one pulse for one pack of drugs is generated from the start time t11 of the nth pack of drugs is determined to be the start time of the (n+1)th pack of drugs.Similarly, the start and end timings of writing are controlled for the n+1th and n+2th cartridges. This controls the marking position for each cartridge.

[0093] The control shown in Figure 13 allows for rapid and accurate control of marking each drug package without delaying the dispensing operation of the dispensing machine. Note that the marking control is not limited to the above example. For example, the transport information is not limited to pulse signals, but may be other signals or data. The control of the writing timing during the transport period for one drug package is not limited to control based on pulse signals.

[0094] The embodiments described above are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. Furthermore, the configurations and processing functions described in the embodiments above can be selected and combined as desired. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 10: Drug packaging marking system, 11: Marking data determination unit, 12: Marking control unit. 70: Marking device, M: Marking, Drug packaging storage device T1, 100: Packaging machine

Claims

1. It is a medicine packaging marking system, A marking device that applies markings to the surface of drug packets, which are individually packaged according to the patient and timing of administration of the prescribed medication, The system comprises a marking control unit that controls the marking of a group of drug packages containing drugs prescribed to multiple users by the marking device, based on prescription data and marking data. A drug packet marking system comprising a marking control unit that controls the marking on each of the plurality of drug packet groups such that the marking position on the drug packet differs according to at least one of the user, the timing of drug distribution based on the time of administration, and the day of drug distribution based on the day of administration.

2. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 1, A drug packet marking system comprising: a marking control unit that controls the marking so that when the plurality of drug packets are stored in at least one drug packet storage device arranged vertically or horizontally in the order of one of the following: patient, time of administration, and date of administration, the marking position of the drug packets arranged vertically or horizontally in the drug packet storage device changes regularly.

3. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 1 or 2, A drug packaging marking system comprising a marking control unit that controls the markings for each of the plurality of drug packaging groups such that the position of the marking on the drug packaging differs according to one of the following: the user, the timing of drug distribution, and the day of drug distribution, and the appearance of the marking differs according to one of the following:

4. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 3, A drug packaging marking system comprising a marking control unit that controls the markings for each of the plurality of drug packaging groups such that the position of the markings on the drug packaging differs according to the user, and the appearance of the markings differs according to the time of dispensing or the day of dispensing.

5. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 1 or 2, A drug package marking system comprising a marking control unit that controls the marking on each of the plurality of drug package groups such that the marking position on the drug package differs regularly according to the order of at least one of the user, the timing of drug distribution, and the date of drug distribution.

6. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 1 or 2, A drug packaging marking system further comprising a marking data determination unit that receives marking instructions from a user and determines the marking data based on the marking instructions.

7. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 1, The marking device is a drug packaging marking system comprising a pen holder for holding multiple pens for marking, and a first stepping motor for rotating the pen holder to switch the pen used for marking.

8. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 1, The marking device is a drug packaging marking system comprising a pen holder for holding at least one pen for marking, and a second stepping motor for switching the position of the pen holder between a writing position and a retracted position.

9. A drug packaging marking system according to claim 7 or 8, A drug packaging marking system that controls the marking position on each drug packaging by controlling the timing of marking during the transport period for each drug packaging group that is transported together with the packaging.

10. A program for controlling a marking device that applies markings to the surface of drug packets, which are individually packaged according to the patient and timing of administration of the prescribed medication. Based on prescription data and marking data, a computer is made to perform a marking control process that controls the marking of drug packages containing medications prescribed to multiple users by the marking device. The marking control process is a program that includes a process for controlling the markings on each of the plurality of drug packet groups such that the marking position on the drug packet differs depending on at least one of the user, the timing of drug distribution based on the time of administration, and the day of drug distribution based on the day of administration.

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