Medication distribution support system and medication distribution support program

Abstract

The present invention provides a medication dispensing support system and program that enable the recording of specific information about a medication on a specific dispensing container in a packaging band that connects dispensing containers for multiple medications, each containing medications with different administration times. [Solution] In the medication dispensing support system 10, the output processing unit 112 causes the packaging device 3 to package multiple medications with different administration times into individual packaging containers according to the administration time, and discharges a single medication packaging band to which the multiple packaging containers are connected. The output processing unit 112 records usage information regarding the administration time at a position corresponding to each of the multiple packaging containers in which each of the multiple medications is packaged, and records specific information regarding a specific medication among the multiple medications at a position corresponding to the specific packaging container in which that specific medication is packaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine dispensing support system and a medicine dispensing support program for supporting dispensing work, medicine distribution work, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] In hospital pharmacy departments, dispensing pharmacies, and the like, a packaging apparatus may be used that divides medicines such as tablets or powdered medicines into divided packaging containers such as medicine packages for each administration timing (administration date, administration period, etc., included in the dosage). The administration timing of the medicine (for example, after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, etc.) is printed on the divided packaging container (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a plurality of medicines are prescribed to a user, it is desirable that in the packaging apparatus, a plurality of divided packaging containers each containing a medicine are connected and discharged as a single packaging band so as to prevent operational errors when sorting the divided packaging containers into storage parts such as medication calendars and trays, and administration errors when the user takes the medicines. However, when a plurality of different types of medicines are each divided and combined into a single packaging band, although the administration timing can be printed on each divided packaging container, it is difficult to print specific information related to the medicine, such as precautions for administration, only on the divided packaging container of a specific medicine, for example.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a medicine dispensing support system and a medicine dispensing support program capable of recording specific information related to a medicine on a specific divided packaging container in a packaging band formed by connecting divided packaging containers each containing a plurality of medicines with different administration timings divided for each administration timing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A drug dispensing support system according to one aspect of the present invention is a dispensing device that dispenses multiple drugs with different administration times into dispensing containers according to the administration time, and discharges a single packaging band to which the multiple dispensing containers are connected. The drug dispensing support system includes a recording processing unit that records usage information regarding the administration time at a position corresponding to each of the multiple dispensing containers in which each of the multiple drugs is dispensed, and records specific information regarding a specific drug among the multiple drugs at a position corresponding to a specific dispensing container in which the specific drug is dispensed.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a drug dispensing support program in a dispensing device, which dispenses multiple drugs with different administration times into dispensing containers according to the administration time, and discharges a single packaging band to which the multiple dispensing containers are connected. The drug dispensing support program is a program that causes one or more processors to record usage information regarding the administration time at a position corresponding to each of the multiple dispensing containers in which each of the multiple drugs is packaged, and to record specific information regarding a specific drug among the multiple drugs at a position corresponding to a specific dispensing container in which the specific drug is packaged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medication dispensing support system and a medication dispensing support program that can record specific information about a medication on a specific dispensing container in a packaging band that connects dispensing containers for multiple medications, each containing medications with different timings of administration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medication dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 2 shows an example of the result of drug packaging processing (drug packaging band) performed by the drug dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a medication calendar used in a medication dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a drug package created by a drug dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] Figure 5A shows an example of a drug package created by a drug dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B shows an example of a drug package created by a drug dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a medication calendar in which drug packets according to an embodiment of the present invention are sorted. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of package data used in a medication dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a prescription according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of package data used in a medication dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of a pharmaceutical packaging band according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of package data used in a medication dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of a pharmaceutical packaging band according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for medication dispensing support processing performed by a medication dispensing support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for medication dispensing support processing performed by a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of packaging data used in a medication dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a medicine packaging strip according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18A] Figure 18A is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18B] Figure 18B is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18C] Figure 18C is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18D] Figure 18D is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18E] Figure 18E is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18F] Figure 18F is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a diagram showing a printing example of a medicine package according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of medicine comment information used in a medication dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of a medicine packaging strip according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a diagram showing another example of a medication administration calendar according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. Note that the following embodiments are merely specific examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Medication Dispensing Support System 10] As shown in Figure 1, the medication dispensing support system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a medication dispensing support device 1, a dispensing device 2, a packaging device 3, and a printer 4. The medication dispensing support device 1, the dispensing device 2, the packaging device 3, and the printer 4 are connected wirelessly or via wired communication over a network N1. The network N1 is a LAN, WAN, the Internet, or an intranet. In the medication dispensing support system 10, the printer 4 is used to print prescriptions, medicine bags, labels, etc., based on control instructions from the medication dispensing support device 1. For example, the printer 4 can print (print) the medicine package information described later onto the label, and the label is affixed to the medicine package 7 described later.

[0012] Furthermore, the medication dispensing support device 1 is connected to a higher-level system 6, such as an electronic medical record system or prescription input terminal, via a network N1. The medication dispensing support device 1 may also be configured to actively acquire the prescription data from the higher-level system 6.

[0013] The aforementioned prescription data includes information such as the date of issue, order number, prescription type (new, change, etc.), patient ID, patient name, patient date of birth, drug information (drug code, drug name, dosage, etc.), dosage form information (oral, topical, etc.), start date of administration, duration of administration, usage information (including timing of administration), cautionary comments (cautionary information), type of medical treatment (outpatient, inpatient, etc.), medical department, and attending physician. The start date of administration, duration of administration, and timing of administration ("after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," "before bed," etc.) are examples of the timing of administration in the present invention. The timing of administration in the present invention may be the timing of administration, or a combination of the timing of administration and the date of administration (year, month, day). The aforementioned cautionary comments are examples of specific information in the present invention, and may include, for example, the type of drug the patient takes, information about the patient taking the drug, cautionary information for the patient when taking the drug (warning information), and cautionary information for the medication dispenser at the patient's facility when distributing the drug to the patient (warning information).

[0014] The medication dispensing support device 1, dispensing equipment 2, packaging device 3, and printer 4 are installed in a dispensing facility such as a pharmacy or hospital where medications are dispensed based on the prescription data issued by the higher-level system 6. The medication dispensing support device 1 may be installed outside the dispensing facility, as long as it is connected to the network N1.

[0015] Based on the aforementioned prescription data, the medication dispensed at the aforementioned dispensing facility is delivered to the hospital or nursing home or other facility where the person taking the medication resides. For example, the person taking the medication may be a patient receiving treatment at a hospital or a resident of a nursing home.

[0016] [Pharmacy Equipment 2] The dispensing equipment 2 is used in the dispensing work of pharmaceuticals in the dispensing facility. For example, the dispensing equipment 2 is a liquid dispensing machine, a PTP sheet dispensing device, a mixing device, a picking support device, etc. For example, the liquid dispensing machine has multiple medicine bottles containing multiple types of liquid medicines, and automatically dispenses the required amount of liquid medicine from the medicine bottles according to the dispensing data input from the dispensing support device 1. The PTP sheet dispensing device has multiple sheet cassettes containing PTP sheets or heat seals with tablets pre-packaged, and automatically dispenses the PTP sheets or heat seals from the sheet cassettes according to the dispensing data input from the dispensing support device 1. Alternatively, the PTP sheet dispensing device may have multiple sheet cassettes containing PTP sheets or heat seals with tablets pre-packaged, and automatically dispense the sheet cassette containing the required PTP sheets or heat seals according to the dispensing data input from the dispensing support device 1. The aforementioned dispensing device automatically performs the dispensing operation of injecting drugs such as anticancer drugs into intravenous fluids using a robotic arm, according to the dispensing data input from the dispensing support device 1. The aforementioned picking support device performs display processing of various information to support the drug selection work by pharmacists or technicians. In this invention, the dispensing device 2 may be omitted.

[0017] [Dividing packaging device 3] The dispensing device 3 is a dispensing device that can dispensing medication to be taken by a patient into dispensing containers such as the medication packets 7 shown in Figure 2, according to the timing of administration, based on the dispensing data D1 (see Figure 7) input from the medication support device 1, as described below. In the dispensing device 3, a portion of the continuous, elongated sheet of medication packets loaded into the dispensing device 3 is heated and melted to form multiple medication packets 7, and perforations 7a are formed between each medication packet 7 to facilitate separation.

[0018] Specifically, the packaging device 3 is a tablet packaging machine for packaging tablets, a powder packaging machine for packaging powders, and the like. The tablet packaging machine has multiple tablet cassettes containing multiple types of tablets, and performs a packaging operation in which tablets are dispensed from the tablet cassettes according to packaging data D1 and packaged in drug packets 7 according to the time of administration. The powder packaging machine performs a packaging operation in which the loaded powder is packaged in drug packets 7 according to the time of administration according to packaging data D1. The powder packaging machine may also have multiple powder cassettes, and perform a packaging operation in which powder is dispensed from the powder cassettes according to packaging data D1 and packaged in drug packets 7 according to the time of administration. Furthermore, the tablet packaging machine or the powder packaging machine may be configured to be able to package tablets and powders together in single packages according to the time of administration.

[0019] The dispensing device 3 includes a control unit 31 and a dispensing printer 32, etc. The control unit 31 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and controls the operation of the dispensing device 3 based on a control program stored in the ROM or a storage device (not shown). The control program includes a medication support program that causes the control unit 31 to execute the medication support process (see Figure 14) described later. For example, the control unit 31 uses the dispensing printer 32 to print (print) medication information on the medication package 7, as shown in Figure 2, which includes patient identification information such as the patient's name or patient ID that can identify the patient taking the medicine contained in the medication package 7, drug identification information such as the drug name that can identify the medicine contained in the medication package 7, dosage timing information that can identify the timing of taking the medicine contained in the medication package 7, and cautionary comments. The medication information may also include information on the date of administration (year, month, day, day of the week, etc.), as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the patient identification information and drug identification information may be omitted, and only the dosage timing information may be printed on the medication package 7. Furthermore, the aforementioned cautionary comment is printed only on the drug packets 7 containing a specific drug. Alternatively, the aforementioned cautionary comment may be printed only on the drug packets 7 containing a specific drug for a specific time of administration.

[0020] The control unit 31 performs a packaging process to package the medication to be taken by the patient into medication packets 7 according to the timing of administration, based on the packaging data D1 input from the medication support device 1. The control unit 31 functions as various processing units, such as the acquisition processing unit 311 and the packaging processing unit 312, by performing various processes according to the medication support program. Specifically, the control unit 31 functions as the various processing units by performing various processes according to the medication support program. Furthermore, one or more of the various processing units may be electronic circuits such as ASICs or DSPs.

[0021] The acquisition processing unit 311 acquires the packaging data D1 generated by the medication dispensing support device 1. For example, when a user selects prescription data to be dispensed, the medication dispensing support device 1 generates packaging data D1 based on that prescription data and outputs the generated packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3 which packages the medications in that prescription data. As a result, the acquisition processing unit 311 acquires the packaging data D1.

[0022] The packaging processing unit 312 performs packaging based on the packaging data D1. Specifically, the packaging processing unit 312 packages the medication to be taken by the patient corresponding to the packaging data D1 into individual medication packets 7 according to the timing of administration. The packaging processing unit 312 also prints the medication information onto the medication packets 7 using the packaging printer 32 (see Figure 2).

[0023] Here, the medicine package 7 is formed by folding a long medicine package sheet and bonding predetermined parts together to form a bag, and each bag contains one dose of medicine. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the medicine package 7 is discharged from the dispensing device 3 as a long, continuous strip of medicine packaging band 70 (corresponding to the packaging band of the present invention). The dispensing processing unit 312 prints the medicine package information at the corresponding position on the medicine package 7 on the medicine package sheet, places the medicine in the bag formed at that position, heat-seals it using a heat-sealing mechanism, and discharges the medicine packaging band 70 from the dispensing device 3.

[0024] The dispensing device 3, for example, for one patient, creates and discharges a single drug packaging band 70 to which multiple drug packets 7 are connected according to the timing of administration. Figure 2 shows a drug packaging band 70 corresponding to one patient ("Taro Yuyama"), with 21 drug packets 7 (3 doses per day for 7 days = 21 doses) connected to one drug packaging band 70. A drug packaging band 70 may be created for each patient, or it may be created for multiple patients in the same administration period within the facility. In other words, a single drug packaging band 70 may contain drug packets 7 for each of multiple patients (see Figure 22 below).

[0025] The medication packets 7, packaged by the packaging device 3, are placed in a designated calendar, tray, etc., corresponding to the medication distribution times (morning, noon, evening, etc.) before or after being transported to the residential facility.

[0026] Figure 3 shows an example of a medication calendar 9. The medication calendar 9 comprises multiple drug storage compartments 91 (storage pockets) arranged on a planar base material. The multiple drug storage compartments 91 are arranged in a planar and matrix-like manner, and each is positioned at a specific location determined based on the timing of administration. Furthermore, each drug storage compartment 91 is formed in a pocket shape capable of holding the drug package 7 for the corresponding administration time.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 3, the drug storage units 91 are arranged in a matrix shape (row-like) composed of a day of the week axis (vertical axis) and a timing of administration axis (horizontal axis). Specifically, the drug storage units 91 are arranged in a row-like shape with the seven days of the week, "Monday," "Tuesday," "Wednesday," "Thursday," "Friday," "Saturday," and "Sunday," as the vertical axis, and the four times of administration, "morning," "noon," "evening," and "before bed," as the horizontal axis.

[0028] The medication calendar 9 shown in Figure 3 is intended for use by a single patient, and the medications that a single patient takes for a week are stored in the medication storage section 91 according to the day of the week and the time of administration. If the medications are packaged in a package (medication packet 7), the medication packet 7 is stored in the medication storage section 91. In other words, the medication storage section 91 is located in a specific position corresponding to the indication of a single patient and the time of administration, such as "Monday morning," "Monday noon," and "Monday evening," and is also located in a specific position determined based on the patient and the time of administration. In other embodiments, the medication calendar 9 may be intended for use by a facility. For example, the medication calendar 9 may be intended for multiple patients, and the medications that multiple patients take each day are stored in the medication storage section 91 according to the time of administration. Furthermore, multiple medication calendars 9 may be created for each day, or multiple calendars may be created for each time of administration.

[0029] The drug storage section 91 is constructed as a pocket-like bag with a small transparent sheet attached to a sheet-like base material. Specifically, the drug storage section 91 has a structure in which the left, right, and bottom edges of the transparent sheet are bonded to the base material, and items can be inserted into the interior from the top edge. Because the drug storage section 91 is a type of pocket made of a transparent sheet, the interior is visible (see Figure 3). In the example shown in Figure 3, drug packets 7 (see Figure 2) for medications to be taken "after breakfast," "after lunch," and "after dinner" are stored in the drug storage section 91 corresponding to the time of administration. When the time to take the medication arrives, the user receives the drug packet 7 stored in the corresponding drug storage section 91 on the medication calendar 9 and takes the medication.

[0030] Incidentally, in the case of drugs that require special attention when taken (drugs requiring a warning), it is sometimes desirable to print a warning comment on the drug packet 7 in which the drug is packaged. However, with conventional configurations, when different types of drugs are packaged together in a single drug packaging band 70, it is difficult to print a warning comment only on the drug packet 7 of a specific drug. Specifically, one possible method is to use a dedicated format for the packaging process to set a packaging format for each drug (RP) and print a warning comment, but this method results in the same warning comment being printed on all drug packets 7. Therefore, it becomes necessary for the operator to cross out the warning comments on drug packets 7 containing drugs that do not require a warning using a marker or similar tool. Furthermore, in order to print a warning comment on each drug packet 7, it is necessary to set whether or not to print on each drug packet 7, but in order to identify the drug packet (drug packet 7) to which the warning comment should be attached, it is necessary to set a judgment condition (such as a "0" or "1" flag) separate from the packaging unit (drug packaging band 70 unit), but conventional systems did not have such a judgment condition, so this could not be achieved.

[0031] Therefore, the packaging device 3 according to this embodiment is configured to print (record) specific information about a drug, such as cautionary comments for use, only on the drug packets 7 of a specific drug. Specifically, the packaging processing unit 312 prints usage information regarding the timing of administration (e.g., after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, etc.) on the corresponding positions on each of the multiple drug packets 7 in which multiple drugs are packaged, based on packaging data D1 which includes information about the drug to be taken by the user, the timing of administration of the drug, and cautionary comments. It also prints cautionary comments regarding a specific drug that requires attention among the multiple drugs on the corresponding positions on the specific drug packet 7 in which the specific drug is packaged.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a drug packet 7 containing drugs that do not require special attention (no warning required), while Figure 5A shows a drug packet 7 containing drugs that require special attention (warning required).

[0033] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the packaging processing unit 312 prints the name of drug A and the timing of administration ("after lunch") of the drug A to be packaged by the packaging device 3 onto the drug packet 7 in which drug A is packaged. If the packaging processing unit 312 prints the drug packet information onto the drug packet sheet before the drug is placed inside, it prints the drug packet information at the position on the drug packet sheet corresponding to drug packet 7, that is, at the position where the bag (drug packet 7) in which drug A is packaged is formed.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5A, for example, the packaging processing unit 312 prints the drug names of drug A and drug B, the timing of administration ("after dinner"), and a cautionary comment P1 ("laxative") for taking drug B on the drug packets 7 containing drug A and drug B. Specifically, the packaging processing unit 312 prints the cautionary comment P1 in a predetermined position (for example, the lower center) within the display area of ​​drug packet 7. The packaging processing unit 312 may also change the font (color, font size) of the cautionary comment P1 or add specific images (symbols, underlines, etc.) to make it stand out more than other drug packet information. In this way, the cautionary comment P1 is printed on drug packets 7 containing drug B, which requires a warning.

[0035] In another embodiment, the packaging processing unit 312 may print the warning comment P1 in association with a drug (drug B in the above example) to make it easier to recognize the drug corresponding to the warning comment P1. For example, as shown in Figure 5B, the packaging processing unit 312 may print the warning comment P1 next to the drug name of drug B on the drug package 7.

[0036] The packaging processing unit 312 prints a warning comment P1 on the drug packets 7 containing the drug requiring a warning from among the multiple drug packets 7, and discharges the drug packaging band 70, to which the multiple drug packets 7 are connected, from the packaging device 3. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the packaging processing unit 312 prints a warning comment P1 on the drug packets 7 containing drug B requiring a warning, for "after breakfast" and "after dinner," and discharges the drug packaging band 70, to which 21 drug packets 7 (for 21 doses) are connected, from the packaging device 3. For example, according to the packaging data D1 (see Figure 7), the packaging processing unit 312 packages 21 doses of drug A and drug B in the order of administration (for example, Monday → Tuesday → Wednesday → Thursday → Friday → Saturday → Sunday, morning → noon → evening), and prints the drug packet information on each drug packet 7.

[0037] When the drug packaging band 70 is discharged from the dispensing device 3, for example, the worker checks in the inspection process whether the drugs are correctly packaged in the drug packets 7 according to the drug names recorded on the packets 7. After the inspection is complete, the worker sorts each drug packet 7 on the drug packaging band 70 into the medication calendar 9. Specifically, the worker sorts the drug packets 7 (see Figures 4 and 5A) into the drug storage section 91 of the medication calendar 9 (see Figure 6) corresponding to the time of administration. For example, the worker detaches the drug packets 7 from the perforations 7a in the order they are attached to the drug packaging band 70 and places them into the drug storage section 91 of the medication calendar 9.

[0038] First, the worker places the first (1st) drug packet 7 containing drugs A and B, labeled "after breakfast," into the drug storage section 91 for "Monday" "morning." Next, the worker places the second drug packet 7 containing drug A, labeled "after lunch," into the drug storage section 91 for "Monday" "noon." Then, the worker places the third drug packet 7 containing drug A and drug B, labeled "after dinner," into the drug storage section 91 for "Monday" "evening." Next, the worker places the fourth drug packet 7 containing drug A and drug B, labeled "after breakfast," into the drug storage section 91 for "Tuesday" "morning." Next, the worker places the fifth drug packet 7 containing drug A, labeled "after lunch," into the drug storage section 91 for "Tuesday" "noon." Finally, the worker places the sixth drug packet 7 containing drug A and drug B, labeled "after dinner," into the drug storage section 91 for "Tuesday" "evening." The worker then continues the sorting process in the same manner, placing the last (21st) packet of drug A and drug B, labeled "After Dinner," into the drug storage section 91 labeled "Sunday Night," thereby completing the sorting process.

[0039] With the above configuration, the worker only needs to sort the drug packets 7 into the medication calendar 9 in the order they are connected to the drug packaging band 70. This prevents errors such as mistakenly placing drug packets 7 into the drug storage section 91 for a different administration period than the intended one, and also allows the sorting work to be completed in a short time.

[0040] Furthermore, with the above configuration, for example, a patient can quickly understand which medication to take at each time of day by looking at the information printed on each medication packet 7 assigned to the medication calendar 9, thus preventing missed doses. Similarly, a dispensing worker can quickly understand which medication a patient should take at each time of day, thus preventing missed doses.

[0041] Furthermore, since a warning comment P1 is printed on the drug packet 7 of medications requiring caution, users can be aware of the warning comment P1 when taking the medication, and dispensing staff can be aware of the warning comment P1 when dispensing the medication.

[0042] As described above, the packaging processing unit 312 records usage information regarding the timing of administration at a position corresponding to each of the multiple drug packets 7, and records a cautionary comment P1 for a specific drug among the multiple drugs at a position corresponding to the specific drug packet 7 in which the specific drug is packaged. Specifically, based on the packaging data D1 input from the medication support device 1, the packaging processing unit 312 causes the packaging printer 32 to print the timing of administration (time of administration) for each drug on each drug packet 7, and also prints the cautionary comment P1 for the specific drug on the specific drug packet 7 in which the specific drug is packaged. The packaging processing unit 312 is an example of the recording processing unit of the present invention.

[0043] [Drug distribution support device 1] The medication dispensing support device 1 is a personal computer equipped with a control unit 11, a data storage unit 12, a communication interface 13, a display device 14, an operating device 15, and a drive device 16, etc. In this embodiment, the medication dispensing support device 1 alone is an example of the medication dispensing support system according to the present invention. Alternatively, the packaging device 3 may acquire necessary information from the medication dispensing support device 1 and perform the medication dispensing support processing described later, in which case the packaging device 3 is an example of the medication dispensing support system. Furthermore, the medication dispensing support device 1 and the packaging device 3 may cooperate to perform the medication dispensing support processing described later, in which case the configuration including the medication dispensing support device 1 and the packaging device 3 is an example of the medication dispensing support system.

[0044] Furthermore, the operation and display of the medication dispensing support device 1 described in this embodiment may be performed by the operating device and display device of a client terminal that can communicate with the medication dispensing support device 1 via the network N1. In this case, the control unit 11 receives user operations to the client terminal, executes various processes, and transmits display data to display various information on the client terminal. That is, the medication dispensing support device 1 and the client terminal may constitute a server-client system, and the client terminal may be used as the operating terminal for the medication dispensing support device 1.

[0045] The control unit 11 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that controls the medication dispensing support device 1 by executing processing according to various control programs. The ROM is a non-volatile memory in which programs such as BIOS executed by the CPU are pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory used for deploying various control programs by the CPU and for temporary storage of data. The control unit 11 then uses the CPU to execute various processes according to various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or data storage unit 12, etc.

[0046] The data storage unit 12 is a non-volatile storage means such as a hard disk or SSD that stores various application programs and various data executed by the control unit 11. For example, the data storage unit 12 stores the prescription data acquired from the higher-level system 6.

[0047] Furthermore, the data storage unit 12 stores various databases such as a drug master, patient master, pharmacist master, medical department master, and ward master. For example, the drug master includes information such as drug code, drug name, JAN code (or RSS), drug bottle code, classification (dosage form: powder, tablet, liquid, topical drug, etc.), specific gravity, drug type (ordinary drug, poison, narcotic, potent drug, antipsychotic, therapeutic drug, etc.), compatibility, excipients, and precautions. The drug code or drug name is an example of drug identification information that can identify a drug. The patient master also includes information such as each patient's patient ID, name, gender, age, address, medical history, family information, medical department, and hospital ward, as well as the facility where they reside.

[0048] Furthermore, the data storage unit 12 stores the package data D1 generated by the control unit 11 in the medication dispensing support device 1 based on the prescription data. Figure 7 is an example of package data D1 generated based on prescription data corresponding to the prescription shown in Figure 8. The prescription shown in Figure 8 includes instructions to take one tablet of drug A after each meal for a total of 7 days, and one tablet of drug B after breakfast and one tablet after dinner for a total of 7 days. The prescription may also include instructions to combine drugs A and B, and instructions to print the caution comment P1 for drug B, "laxative," on the drug package 7 (printing instructions). Note that if the printing instructions are included in the claims data, the printing instructions do not need to be included in the prescription.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the package data D1 stores information such as patient ID, patient name, date of administration, timing of administration, medication, comment print flag, and comments in an associated manner. The comment print flag is information that identifies whether or not to print a caution comment P1 on the medication package 7. If the caution comment P1 is to be printed on the medication package 7 (if the prescription data has a comment to be printed on the medication package 7), "1" is registered, and if the caution comment P1 is not to be printed on the medication package 7 (if the prescription data does not have a comment to be printed on the medication package 7), "0" is registered. In the prescription details shown in Figure 8, for medication B, an instruction to print a caution comment P1 and the content of the caution comment P1 ("laxative") are registered. Therefore, in the package data D1 shown in Figure 7, "1" is registered for the comment print flags corresponding to the timing of administration of medication B, in this case "after breakfast" and "after dinner". In contrast, the prescription details shown in Figure 8 do not include an instruction to print caution comment P1 for drug A. Therefore, in the package data D1 shown in Figure 7, the comment print flag corresponding to the timing of drug A administration, in this case "after lunch," is set to "0." Also, in the package data D1, the "Comment" corresponding to the comment print flag "1" is set to the comment (caution comment P1) included in the prescription data (see Figure 8).

[0050] The instruction to print the cautionary comment P1 included in the prescription details, and the content of the cautionary comment P1, are entered, for example, when creating the claim form (e.g., on the claim form input screen). In other words, the information of the cautionary comment P1 (printing instruction and the content of the cautionary comment P1) is included in the claim form data. For example, a pharmacist may enter the cautionary comment P1 when creating the claim form data based on the information in the prescription. In another embodiment, the information of the cautionary comment P1 may be included in the prescription (see Figure 8).

[0051] Furthermore, in the packaging data D1 shown in Figure 7, the data is arranged in order so that medications taken at different times for a single patient are grouped by administration date for all administration days and packaged into consecutive medication packets 7. When the packaging data D1 is input to the packaging device 3, it performs the medication packaging process in the order shown in the packaging data D1. As a result, when the packaging data D1 is input to the packaging device 3, the packaging result (medication packaging band 70) shown in Figure 2 is discharged from the packaging device 3.

[0052] Furthermore, the data storage unit 12 stores a medication support program that causes the control unit 11 to execute the medication support processing described later (see Figure 13). The control unit 11 then functions as various processing units, such as the acquisition processing unit 111 and the output processing unit 112, by executing various processes according to the medication support program. Specifically, the control unit 11 functions as the various processing units by executing various processes according to the medication support program. In addition, one or more of the various processing units may be electronic circuits such as ASICs or DSPs.

[0053] The acquisition processing unit 111 acquires the prescription data corresponding to the patient from the higher-level system 6. Specifically, the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires the prescription data when it receives a user operation to select the prescription data of a patient's prescription (see Figure 8) as the subject to be dispensed. For example, when the acquisition processing unit 111 receives a user operation to select the prescription data of "Taro Yuyama"'s prescription (see Figure 8) as the subject to be dispensed, it acquires the prescription data of "Taro Yuyama".

[0054] The output processing unit 112 generates packaging data D1 based on the prescription data acquired by the acquisition processing unit 111, and outputs the generated packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3. Furthermore, if there are drugs to be dispensed using the dispensing device 2, the output processing unit 112 outputs dispensing data to the dispensing device 2.

[0055] For example, the output processing unit 112 generates package data D1 (see Figure 7) based on the prescription data of "Taro Yuyama," which associates information such as patient ID, patient, date of administration, timing of administration, medication, comment print flag, and comments with each other. For example, when the output processing unit 112 generates package data D1 to be input to the package device 3 that packages medication A and medication B included in the prescription data, it registers a comment print flag "1" for the timing of administration when medication B is taken ("after breakfast" and "after dinner"), and registers a comment print flag "0" for the timing of administration when medication B is not taken ("after lunch"). Package data D1 contains information on all medications taken by the patient.

[0056] The output processing unit 112 outputs the packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3, which packages the drugs included in the packaging data D1. For example, if drugs A and B are tablets packaged by a tablet packaging machine, the output processing unit 112 outputs the packaging data D1 to the tablet packaging machine. Also, for example, if drugs A and B are powders packaged by a powder packaging machine, the output processing unit 112 outputs the packaging data D1 to the powder packaging machine. In this way, the output processing unit 112 outputs packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3, which associates the usage information and the need to print the cautionary comment P1 on the drug package 7 with identification information (comment printing flag) that can identify whether or not to print them on the drug package 7 for each administration period. The packaging device 3 receives packaging data D1 containing information on all drugs (drugs A and B in Figure 7) included in the prescription data.

[0057] The packaging device 3 performs the packaging process based on the packaging data D1. In the example described above, as shown in Figure 2, the packaging device 3 packages drug A and drug B into individual drug packets 7 based on the packaging data D1, and prints the drug names, administration time, and warning comment P1 ("laxative") for drug A and drug B on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the administration time "after breakfast," the drug name and administration time for drug A on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the administration time "after lunch," and the drug names, administration time, and warning comment P1 ("laxative") for drug A and drug B on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the administration time "after dinner," and then discharges a single drug packaging band 70 (see Figure 2) to which these multiple drug packets 7 are connected. In this way, the packaging device 3 prints the warning comment P1 on the drug packet 7 when it obtains identification information (comment printing flag "1") indicating that it is necessary to print the warning comment P1 on the drug packet 7. Furthermore, if the dispensing device 3 obtains identification information (comment printing flag "0") indicating that printing of the cautionary comment P1 on the drug package 7 is unnecessary, it will not print the cautionary comment P1 on the drug package 7.

[0058] [Other examples of packaged data D1] Figure 9 shows another example of the package data D1. The prescription corresponding to the package data D1 shown in Figure 9 is to take one tablet of drug A after breakfast for a total of 7 days, one tablet of drug C after lunch for a total of 7 days, and one tablet of drug B after dinner for a total of 7 days. The prescription also includes instructions to print the caution comment P1 for drug B, "laxative," on the drug package 7, and instructions to print the caution comment P1 for drug C, "sublingual tablet," on the drug package 7.

[0059] Therefore, in the package data D1 shown in Figure 9, "1" is registered in the comment print flag corresponding to the administration time of drug C "after lunch," and "1" is registered in the comment print flag corresponding to the administration time of drug B "after dinner." On the other hand, since the prescription content does not include an instruction to print a caution comment P1 for drug A, "0" is registered in the comment print flag corresponding to the administration time of drug A "after breakfast" in the package data D1 shown in Figure 9. In addition, the "Comment" corresponding to the comment print flag "1" for drug C is registered with the comment related to drug C included in the prescription data (caution comment P1 "sublingual tablet"), and the "Comment" corresponding to the comment print flag "1" for drug B is registered with the comment related to drug B included in the prescription data (caution comment P1 "laxative").

[0060] Figure 10 shows a drug packaging band 70 containing drug packets 7 that have been packaged based on the packaging data D1 shown in Figure 9. Based on the packaging data D1, the packaging device 3 packages drugs A, B, and C into drug packets 7, prints the drug name and administration time for drug A on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the administration time "after breakfast", prints the drug name, administration time, and caution comment P1 ("sublingual tablet") for drug C on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the administration time "after lunch", prints the drug name, administration time, and caution comment P1 ("laxative") for drug B on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the administration time "after dinner", and discharges a single drug packaging band 70 (see Figure 10) to which these multiple drug packets 7 are connected. Thus, when a specific drug includes a first drug and a second drug that are taken at different times, the output processing unit 112 may print first specific information (first caution comment P1) regarding the first drug at a position corresponding to the first drug packet 7 in which the first drug is packaged, and second specific information (second caution comment P1) regarding the second drug at a position corresponding to the second drug packet 7 in which the second drug is packaged.

[0061] Figure 11 shows another example of the package data D1. The prescription corresponding to the package data D1 shown in Figure 11 is to take one tablet of drug C after breakfast and one tablet of drug A after lunch and one tablet of drug A after dinner for a total of 7 days, and one tablet of drug B after dinner for a total of 7 days. The prescription also includes instructions to print the caution comment P1 for drug B, "laxative," on the drug package 7, and instructions to print the caution comment P1 for drug C, "sublingual tablet," on the drug package 7.

[0062] Therefore, in the package data D1 shown in Figure 11, "1" is registered in the comment print flag corresponding to the administration times "after breakfast" and "after dinner" for drug C, and "1" is registered in the comment print flag corresponding to the administration time "after dinner" for drug B. On the other hand, since the prescription contents do not include an instruction to print caution comment P1 for drug A, "0" is registered in the comment print flag corresponding to the administration time "after lunch" for drug A in the package data D1 shown in Figure 11. If there are multiple drugs with the same administration time, the comment print flag "1" is registered for the administration time if caution comment P1 is registered for at least one of the drugs. In addition, the "Comment" corresponding to the comment print flag "1" for drug C is the comment related to drug C included in the prescription data (caution comment P1 "sublingual tablet"), and the "Comment" corresponding to the comment print flag "1" for drug B is the comment related to drug B included in the prescription data (caution comment P1 "laxative"). In the example above, since drugs C and B are taken "after dinner," a cautionary comment P1 "sublingual tablet" for drug C and a cautionary comment P1 "laxative" for drug B are registered, corresponding to "after dinner."

[0063] Figure 12 shows a drug packaging band 70 containing drug packets 7 that have been packaged based on the packaging data D1 shown in Figure 11. Based on the packaging data D1, the packaging device 3 packages drug A, drug B, and drug C into drug packets 7, and prints the drug name, administration time, and cautionary comment P1 ("sublingual tablet") for drug C on drug packet 7 corresponding to administration time "after breakfast", the drug name and administration time for drug A on drug packet 7 corresponding to administration time "after lunch", and the drug names, administration times, and cautionary comment P1 ("sublingual tablet" and "laxative") for drug C, drug A, and drug B on drug packet 7 corresponding to administration time "after dinner", and discharges a single drug packaging band 70 (see Figure 12) to which these multiple drug packets 7 are connected. Thus, when a specific drug includes a first drug and a second drug that are taken at the same time, the output processing unit 112 may print the first specific information (first caution comment P1) regarding the first drug and the second specific information (second caution comment P1) regarding the second drug at positions corresponding to the same drug packet 7 in which the first drug and the second drug are packaged.

[0064] As described above, the output processing unit 112 records the drug information (drug name) of the drug to be packaged, the timing of administration of the drug to be packaged, and specific information (warning comment P1) regarding a specific drug (drug requiring a warning) that has been registered in advance among the drugs to be packaged, at a location corresponding to the drug packet 7 in which the specific drug is packaged. Specifically, the output processing unit 112 sets whether or not to print the warning comment P1 on the drug packet 7 for each administration timing. The output processing unit 112 also outputs package data D1, which includes information regarding the printing settings for the warning comment P1, to the packaging device 3 and executes the printing control of the warning comment P1. Specifically, the output processing unit 112 causes the packaging device 3 to print the usage information on all drug packets 7 and to execute a printing process that prints the warning comment P1 on specific drug packets 7. For example, the output processing unit 112 causes the packaging device 3 to perform a printing process (recording process) to print the drug name, timing of administration, and cautionary comment P1 of the specified drug on the drug packet 7, while for drugs other than the specified drug, it prints the drug name and timing of administration on the drug packet 7 but does not print the cautionary comment P1. The output processing unit 112 does not necessarily have to print the drug name on each drug packet 7. The output processing unit 112 is an example of a recording processing unit of the present invention.

[0065] In another embodiment, the output processing unit 112 may cause the printer 4 (see Figure 1) to perform a printing process to print the drug packaging information of the drug to be packaged onto a label (or sticker). The printer 4 prints the user, administration date, drug name, cautionary comment P1, etc., on multiple labels for each administration period and discharges them. The labels are affixed to each drug packaging 7 of the drug packaging band 70 discharged from the packaging device 3. That is, the output processing unit 112 may record drug packaging information such as the user, administration date, drug name, and cautionary comment P1 on the drug packaging 7 using the labels. The process of affixing the labels to the drug packaging 7 is an example of the recording process of the present invention.

[0066] The communication interface 13 has a network card, etc., which performs wireless or wired data communication with the dispensing equipment 2, the packaging device 3, and the printer 4 via the network N1 according to a predetermined communication protocol. The display device 14 is a display means such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays various information according to control instructions from the control unit 11. The operating device 15 is an operating means operated by the user to input various information into the medication support device 1. Specifically, the operating device 15 includes a keyboard and a mouse (pointing device) that accept input operations for various information according to the display screen of the display device 14.

[0067] The drive device 16 is capable of reading the medication dispensing support program from a computer-readable recording medium 17 on which the medication dispensing support program is recorded. The recording medium 17 can be a CD, DVD, BD, or USB memory. In the medication dispensing support device 1, the control unit 11 installs the medication dispensing support program read from the recording medium 17 by the drive device 16 into the data storage unit 12.

[0068] [Medication dispensing support processing] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, an example of the procedure for the medication support processing performed in the medication support system 10 will be described. The medication support processing is performed by the control unit 11 and the control unit 31 when a predetermined user operation is performed on the medication support device 1 and the packaging device 3 to execute the medication support program. The present invention may also be considered as a medication support method that performs part or all of the processing procedure for the medication support processing, or as an invention of a medication support program that causes a computer such as the medication support device 1 to execute the medication support method. Figure 13 shows an example of the processing procedure for the medication support processing performed by the control unit 11 of the medication support device 1.

[0069] <Step S1> In step S1, the control unit 11 acquires prescription data of the patient in response to user operation. Specifically, the control unit 11 displays a selection screen on the display device 14 for selecting the medication to be dispensed, and selects the medication to be dispensed in response to the user's selection operation on the operating device 15. For example, in the selection process, the control unit 11 selects arbitrary prescription data from the prescription data stored in the data storage unit 12 in response to user operation. The control unit 11 acquires the prescription data selected by the user. For example, the control unit 11 acquires prescription data for the patient "Taro Yuyama" (see Figure 8).

[0070] <Step S2> In step S2, the control unit 11 generates the package data D1. Specifically, based on the prescription data and the claims data, the control unit 11 generates the package data D1 (see Figure 7) which associates information such as patient ID, patient, date of administration, timing of administration, medication, comment print flag, and comments with each other. For example, based on the claims data, the control unit 11 registers the comment print flag and the comments in the package data D1. The control unit 11 stores the package data D1 in the data storage unit 12.

[0071] <Step S3> In step S3, the control unit 11 outputs the packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3. Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs the packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3 that packages the drugs included in the packaging data D1 (drugs to be packaged). For example, if drugs A and B included in the packaging data D1 are to be packaged by the packaging device 3 (tablet packaging machine), the control unit 11 outputs the packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3.

[0072] Figure 14 shows an example of the processing procedure for the medication dispensing support process performed by the control unit 31 of the dispensing device 3.

[0073] <Step S11> In step S11, the control unit 31 acquires the packaging data D1 output from the medication dispensing support device 1. For example, when prescription data for patient "Taro Yuyama" is selected, the medication dispensing support device 1 generates packaging data D1 (see Figure 7) based on the prescription data and outputs the generated packaging data D1 to the packaging device 3 which packages the drugs included in the prescription data (see Figure 13). As a result, the control unit 31 of the packaging device 3 acquires the packaging data D1 from the medication dispensing support device 1. Here, it is assumed that the packaging device 3 packages drugs A and B included in the packaging data D1.

[0074] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 31 performs the packaging process based on the packaging data D1. Specifically, the control unit 31 packages the medication to be taken by the patient into individual medication packets 7 according to the time of administration. For example, based on the packaging data D1 shown in Figure 7, the control unit 31 packages medication A and medication B into medication packets 7 corresponding to the administration times "after breakfast" and "after dinner," and packages medication A into medication packet 7 corresponding to the administration time "after lunch." The control unit 31 creates 21 medication packets 7 (21 doses) from "December 11th" to "December 17th."

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit 31 uses the dispensing printer 32 to print the aforementioned dispensing information, including the patient's name, date of administration, timing of administration, drug name, and cautionary comments P1, onto the dispensing packets 7. Specifically, the control unit 31 prints the drug names of all drugs administered at the same time on the dispensing packets 7 corresponding to each administration time. For example, the control unit 31 prints the drug names of drug A and drug B on the dispensing packet 7 corresponding to "after breakfast" (see Figure 2), the drug name of drug A on the dispensing packet 7 corresponding to "after lunch," and the drug names of drug A and drug B on the dispensing packet 7 corresponding to "after dinner" (see Figure 2).

[0076] Furthermore, the control unit 31 prints the comments (warning comments P1) from the package data D1 on the drug packets 7 corresponding to the administration times for which "1" is registered in the comment printing flag of the package data D1. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the control unit 31 prints the warning comment P1 "Laxative" on each drug packet 7 corresponding to the administration times "After breakfast" and "After dinner" for which "1" is registered in the comment printing flag.

[0077] In this way, the control unit 31 creates a drug packaging band 70 in the manner shown in Figure 2 by executing the drug packaging process in the order registered in the packaging data D1. Note that in step S12, the order of the process of packaging the drug into drug packets 7 and the process of printing drug packet information on drug packets 7 is not limited. For example, the control unit 31 may print the drug packet information at the positions where each bag (drug packet 7) will be formed on the elongated drug packet sheet, then adhere the predetermined parts to form each bag (drug packet 7) and place the drug inside the bag.

[0078] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 31 discharges the packaged medicine packets 7 from the packaging device 3. Specifically, the control unit 31 discharges a single medicine packaging band 70 (see Figure 2), to which multiple medicine packets 7 corresponding to the timing of administration are connected, from the packaging device 3.

[0079] When the drug packaging band 70 (drug packets 7) is discharged from the dispensing device 3, for example, the worker performs an inspection to determine whether the dispensing process is appropriate. For example, the worker checks each drug packet 7 to see if the drug with the drug name printed on it is properly dispensed into the drug packet 7. The worker also checks whether a warning comment P1 is printed on the drug packet 7 containing a drug that requires a warning. With the above configuration, the worker can easily perform the inspection using the drug packet information printed on the drug packet 7. For example, if the drug name is printed on the drug packet 7 but the drug with that name is not dispensed into the drug packet 7, the worker can understand that an error has occurred in the dispensing operation of the dispensing device 3. Also, for example, if a warning comment P1 is not printed on a drug packet 7 containing a drug that requires a warning, the worker can understand that an error has occurred in printing the warning comment P1.

[0080] After completing the inspection work, the worker performs the sorting work, distributing each drug packet 7 to the medication calendar 9. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the worker places the drug packets 7 containing drug A and drug B for "after breakfast" and "after dinner" into the drug storage sections 91 for "morning" and "evening" on each day of the week, and places the drug packet 7 containing drug A for "after lunch" into the drug storage section 91 for "noon" on each day of the week. The worker also detaches the drug packets 7 in the order they are attached to the drug packaging band 70 and places them into the corresponding drug storage sections 91. With the above configuration, the worker can quickly determine if a drug packet 7 is not stored in the drug storage section 91.

[0081] As described above, the medication dispensing support system 10 is a system in which the packaging device 3 dispenses multiple medications with different administration timings into individual medication packets 7 according to the administration timing, and discharges a single medication packaging band 70 to which the multiple medication packets 7 are connected. The medication dispensing support system 10 may also be a system in which the packaging device 3 dispenses the medication packets 7 according to the administration timing based on prescription information and discharges the medication packaging band 70. Alternatively, the medication dispensing support system 10 may also be a system in which the packaging device 3 dispenses the medication packets 7 according to the administration timing based on claims information and discharges the medication packaging band 70. The medication dispensing support system 10 records the usage information (administration timing) related to the administration timing at a position corresponding to each of the multiple medication packets 7 in which each of the multiple medications is dispensed, and records specific information (caution comment P1) related to a specific medication among the multiple medications at a position corresponding to the specific medication packet 7 in which the specific medication is dispensed.

[0082] For example, as shown in Figure 2, among the multiple drug packets 7 connected to the drug packaging band 70, the drug packets 7 for "after breakfast" and "after dinner" that contain drug B requiring a warning are printed with a warning comment P1, while the drug packet 7 for "after lunch" that does not contain drug B is not printed with a warning comment P1. With the above configuration, multiple drugs of different types can be packaged together to create a single drug packaging band 70, thereby improving the efficiency of the sorting work in which each drug packet 7 is assigned to the medication calendar 9. In addition, specific information (warning comment P1) regarding a particular drug can be printed on the drug packet 7 that contains that drug, preventing forgetting to explain precautions to the user or the user forgetting to check the precautions. Furthermore, since workers do not need to handwrite warning comments P1 on the drug packets 7 or erase unnecessary warning comments P1, the efficiency of the sorting and dispensing work of the drug packets 7 can be improved.

[0083] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the cautionary comment P1 is registered in association with each administration time of the specific drug and printed on the drug packet 7 corresponding to each administration time. For example, in the example shown in Figures 2 and 7, since the administration times of drug B requiring caution are "after breakfast" and "after dinner," the cautionary comment P1 is printed on the drug packet 7 corresponding to "after breakfast" and the drug packet 7 corresponding to "after dinner." In another embodiment, the cautionary comment P1 may be registered in association with a specific administration time among the various administration times of the specific drug and printed only on the drug packet 7 corresponding to that specific administration time.

[0084] For example, as shown in Figure 15, the output processing unit 112 registers a comment print flag "1" for "after dinner" among the two administration times for drug B, "after breakfast" and "after dinner," and registers a comment print flag "0" for "after breakfast." For example, in prescription data, if an instruction is registered to print a cautionary comment P1 on the drug packet 7 for drug B in association with the administration time "after dinner," but no such print instruction is registered for the administration time "after breakfast," the output processing unit 112 registers a comment print flag "1" for "after dinner" and a comment print flag "0" for the administration time "after breakfast." Thus, even for the same specific drug, there are cases where it is necessary to print the cautionary comment P1 for each administration time, and cases where it is not necessary.

[0085] In this case, as shown in Figure 16, the output processing unit 112 does not print the cautionary comment P1 on the drug packet 7 containing drug B for "after breakfast," but prints the cautionary comment P1 on the drug packet 7 containing drug B for "after dinner."

[0086] Thus, when a specific drug is taken at both the first and second administration times, the output processing unit 112 may be configured to print the specific information (cautionary comment P1) on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the first administration time, but not on the drug packet 7 corresponding to the second administration time.

[0087] As another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 17, when there are multiple drugs requiring caution at the same time of administration, that is, when multiple drugs requiring caution are packaged together, the output processing unit 112 may print caution comments P1 on the drug packets 7 to be packaged, associating them with the drugs. For example, in the example shown in Figure 17, when drugs B and C requiring caution are packaged together with drug A, the output processing unit 112 prints caution comment P1 "laxative" as associated with the name of drug B, and caution comment P1 "sublingual tablet" as associated with the name of drug C. This allows the user to understand which drug corresponds to each of the multiple caution comments P1. Furthermore, to make it easier for the user to understand which of the drugs contained in the drug packet 7 corresponds to the caution comment P1, the output processing unit 112 may print an image that can identify the shape of the drug on the drug packet 7, associating it with the caution comment P1.

[0088] As another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 18A, the cautionary comment P1 may be information that draws attention to the user, the person dispensing the medication, the facility staff, etc. Also, as shown in Figure 18B, the cautionary comment P1 may be information regarding the timing (method of administration). Also, as shown in Figures 18C and 18D, the cautionary comment P1 may be information regarding the user's attributes, requests, etc. (user information). For example, as shown in Figure 18C, if the user wishes to use medication jelly when taking drug A, the cautionary comment P1 of "medication jelly" is printed on the medication packet 7 that contains drug A. Also, as shown in Figure 18D, for example, if the user needs to wear a diaper when taking drug B, the cautionary comment P1 of "wear a diaper" is printed on the medication packet 7 that contains drug B. Also, as shown in Figures 18E and 18F, the cautionary comment P1 may be information regarding the side effects of the drug. For example, if drug D has a side effect of causing drowsiness after ingestion, a warning comment P1 stating "May cause drowsiness after ingestion" is printed on the drug packet 7 containing drug D, as shown in Figure 18E. Also, for example, if drug E has a side effect of causing dizziness after ingestion, a warning comment P1 stating "Caution: Risk of falls" is printed on the drug packet 7 containing drug E, as shown in Figure 18F.

[0089] Thus, cautionary comment P1 may contain at least one of the following: information about the type of drug, information about drug side effects, and information about precautions for the user when taking the drug. Furthermore, cautionary comment P1 may also contain information that is not drug-related (such as information about the timing or method of administration, user attributes, and requests (user information)).

[0090] Incidentally, there are cases where the prescribed medication is dispensed from a device other than the packaging device 3, such as a PTP sheet dispensing device (dispensing device 2), and is not packaged into medication packets 7 (medication not subject to packaging). The aforementioned medication not subject to packaging is sorted into the medication calendar 9 along with the medication that is packaged into medication packets 7. In this case, to make it easier for the patient or the person dispensing the medication to understand that the medication to be taken includes the aforementioned medication not subject to packaging, the packaging device 3 may print the name of the medication not subject to packaging and identification information indicating that the medication is the aforementioned medication not subject to packaging on the medication packet 7.

[0091] For example, as shown in Figure 19, if drug A is a drug to be packaged in a drug packet 7, and drug B is a drug not to be packaged (heat-sealed 8) to be taken at the same time as drug A, the packaging device 3 prints the drug name of drug A, the drug name of drug B, and identification information P2 indicating that drug B is a drug not to be packaged on drug packet 7. Furthermore, if drug B is a specific drug requiring a warning, the packaging device 3 prints a warning comment P1 on drug packet 7. The drug not to be packaged (heat-sealed 8) is placed together with the drug to be packaged (drug packet 7) in the drug storage section 91 of the medication calendar 9 for the corresponding time of administration. This allows for quick detection of errors in the distribution of drug not to be packaged during the distribution process to the medication calendar 9, and prevents the omission of drug not to be packaged during the dispensing process. In addition, it prevents the omission of drug not to be packaged when taking it.

[0092] For example, if the medication to be taken at a certain time consists only of medications that are not subject to individual packaging, it becomes easier to make mistakes in assigning these medications to the medication calendar 9. For example, the medication to be taken "before bed" may consist only of medication B, which is heat-sealed 8. In this case, the packaging device 3 creates an empty medication packet 71 (empty packet) that does not contain any medication, as shown in Figure 20. The packaging device 3 then connects the medication packet 7 containing the medication and the empty medication packet 71 to create a medication packaging band 70. The packaging device 3 also prints the name and identification information P2 of the medication that is not subject to individual packaging on the medication packet 71, as well as identification information P3 (for example, the words "empty packet") indicating that there is no medication to be contained in the medication packet 71 (the medication packet 7 is empty). Furthermore, if medication B is a specific medication requiring a warning, the packaging device 3 prints a warning comment P1 on the medication packet 7. Drugs that are not to be individually packaged (heat-sealed 8) are placed together with the drug packets 71 (empty packets) in the drug storage section 91 corresponding to the administration time on the medication calendar 9. This allows the worker to understand, simply by looking at the drug packets 71, that there are drugs that are not to be individually packaged and that the drug packets 71 are indeed empty (empty packets).

[0093] The drugs not subject to individual packaging shown in Figures 19 and 20 are examples of the specified drugs of the present invention, and the identification information P2 is an example of the specified information of the present invention.

[0094] In another embodiment of the present invention, the medication dispensing support device 1 or the packaging device 3 may pre-store drug comment information D2 as shown in Figure 21 and print caution comments P1 on the drug packaging 7 based on the drug comment information D2. For example, when the medication dispensing support device 1 acquires the prescription data, it refers to the drug comment information D2 and acquires print comments corresponding to the drugs included in the prescription data. The medication dispensing support device 1 generates packaging data D1 including the acquired print comment information and outputs it to the packaging device 3. In this way, the information of comments to be printed on the drug packaging 7 may be registered in advance in association with drugs. This makes it possible to print comments corresponding to drugs on the drug packaging 7 even if the prescription data does not include instructions to print comments. In another embodiment, the medication dispensing support device 1 or the packaging device 3 may refer to patient information (not shown) to acquire print comments corresponding to the patient and print them on the drug packaging 7.

[0095] In another embodiment of the present invention, the medication dispensing support system 10 may print the precautions included in the drug master as caution comment P1 on the drug package 7. Furthermore, if the drug name is registered in the drug master with the drug type (caution comment P1) attached, the medication dispensing support system 10 may print the drug name including the caution comment P1 on the drug package 7. For example, if "Drug B (laxative)" is registered as the drug name in the drug master for drug B, the medication dispensing support system 10 will print "Drug B (laxative)" on the drug package 7 for dispensing drug B. In this case, the information attached to the drug name ("laxative") is the caution comment P1, which corresponds to the specific information of the present invention.

[0096] In another embodiment of the present invention, the medication distribution support system 10 may divide the medications of multiple users who take their medication at the same time into individual medication packets 7, and create a single medication packaging band 70 by connecting multiple medication packets 7. For example, Figure 22 shows a medication packaging band 70 in which the medications to be taken by multiple users who take their medication "after breakfast" are divided into individual medication packets 7. Each medication packet 7 in the medication packaging band 70 is then sorted into a medication calendar 9 (see Figure 23) corresponding to, for example, "after breakfast". The medication calendar 9 has medication storage sections 91 arranged for each user. In this case, the medication distribution support system 10 prints the user's name on each medication packet 7 and prints a cautionary comment P1 on the medication packet 7 corresponding to users who take medications requiring caution. In other words, the medication dispensing support system 10 of the present invention is a system in which a dispensing device 3 dispenses multiple medications for different users into individual medication packets 7 for each user, and discharges a single medication packaging band 70 to which the multiple medication packets 7 are connected. The recording processing unit (output processing unit 112, dispensing processing unit 312) in the medication dispensing support system 10 records information about the user (e.g., user's name) at a position corresponding to each of the multiple medication packets 7 into which each of the multiple medications is dispensed, and records specific information (cautionary comment P1) about a specific medication among the multiple medications at a position corresponding to a specific medication packet 7 into which the specific medication is dispensed.

[0097] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the inventions extracted from each of the embodiments described above. Note that the configurations and processing functions described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0098] <Note 1> A dispensing support system for a dispensing device that dispenses multiple drugs with different administration times into dispensing containers according to those administration times, and discharges a single packaging strip to which multiple such dispensing containers are connected, A medication dispensing support system comprising a recording processing unit that records usage information regarding the timing of administration at a location corresponding to each of the multiple packaging containers in which each of the multiple drugs is packaged, and records specific information relating to a specific drug among the multiple drugs at a location corresponding to a specific packaging container in which the specific drug is packaged.

[0099] <Note 2> The recording processing unit causes the recording processing unit to record the specific information at a position corresponding to the packaging container in which the specific drug for which the specific information has been pre-registered is packaged, among the plurality of drugs. The medication dispensing support system described in Appendix 1.

[0100] <Note 3> The recording processing unit does not record the specific information at a position corresponding to the packaging container in which the drugs, excluding the specific drug from the plurality of drugs, are packaged. The medication dispensing support system described in Appendix 2.

[0101] <Note 4> If the aforementioned specific drug includes the first drug and the second drug which have different timings of administration, The recording processing unit causes the first identification information relating to the first drug to be recorded at a position corresponding to the first packaging container in which the first drug is packaged, and the second identification information relating to the second drug to be recorded at a position corresponding to the second packaging container in which the second drug is packaged. A medication dispensing support system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 3.

[0102] <Note 5> If the specified drug includes the first drug and the second drug which have the same timing of administration, The recording processing unit causes the first identification information relating to the first drug and the second identification information relating to the second drug to be recorded at a position corresponding to the same packaging container in which the first drug and the second drug are packaged. A medication dispensing support system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 4.

[0103] <Note 6> When the aforementioned specific drug is taken at both the first and second timings of administration, The recording processing unit records the specific information at a position corresponding to the first sachet container corresponding to the first administration timing, but does not record it at a position corresponding to the second sachet container corresponding to the second administration timing. A medication dispensing support system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 5.

[0104] <Note 7> The recording processing unit causes the packaging device to perform a printing process that prints the usage information on all of the packaging containers and prints the specific information on specific packaging containers. A medication dispensing support system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 6.

[0105] <Note 8> The recording processing unit outputs packaging data to the packaging device, which associates the usage information and identification information that can identify whether or not the specific information should be printed on the packaging container for each administration timing. A medication dispensing support system as described in one of the appendices 1 to 7.

[0106] <Note 9> The aforementioned packaging device is When the identification information indicating that it is necessary to print the specific information on the packaging container is obtained, the specific information is printed on the packaging container. When identification information is obtained indicating that printing of the specified information on the packaging container is unnecessary, the specified information is not printed on the packaging container. The medication dispensing support system described in Appendix 8.

[0107] <Note 10> The specified information includes at least one of the following: information regarding the type of drug, information regarding the side effects of the drug, and information regarding precautions for the user when taking the drug. A medication dispensing support system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 9.

[0108] <Note 11> A medication dispensing support program for a dispensing device that dispenses multiple medications with different administration times into dispensing containers according to those administration times, and discharges a single packaging strip to which multiple such dispensing containers are connected. A medication dispensing support program that causes one or more processors to record the usage information regarding the timing of administration in a location corresponding to each of the multiple packaging containers in which each of the multiple drugs is packaged, and to record specific information regarding a specific drug among the multiple drugs in a location corresponding to the specific packaging container in which the specific drug is packaged.

[0109] <Note 12> A dispensing assistance method for a dispensing device that dispenses multiple drugs with different administration times into dispensing containers according to the administration time, and discharges a single packaging band to which multiple such dispensing containers are connected. A medication dispensing support method in which one or more processors cause usage information regarding the timing of administration to be recorded at a position corresponding to each of the multiple packaging containers in which each of the multiple drugs is packaged, and specific information regarding a specific drug among the multiple drugs is recorded at a position corresponding to a specific packaging container in which the specific drug is packaged.

Claims

1. A dispensing support system for a dispensing device that dispenses multiple drugs with different administration times into dispensing containers according to those administration times, and discharges a single packaging strip to which multiple such dispensing containers are connected, A medication dispensing support system comprising a recording processing unit that records usage information regarding the timing of administration at a location corresponding to each of the multiple packaging containers in which each of the multiple drugs is packaged, and records specific information relating to a specific drug among the multiple drugs at a location corresponding to a specific packaging container in which the specific drug is packaged.

2. The recording processing unit causes the recording processing unit to record the specific information at a position corresponding to the packaging container in which the specific drug for which the specific information has been pre-registered is packaged, among the plurality of drugs. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 1.

3. The recording processing unit does not record the specific information at a position corresponding to the packaging container in which the drugs, excluding the specific drug from the plurality of drugs, are packaged. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 2.

4. If the aforementioned specific drug includes the first drug and the second drug which have different timings of administration, The recording processing unit records first specific information relating to the first drug at a position corresponding to the first packaging container in which the first drug is packaged, and records second specific information relating to the second drug at a position corresponding to the second packaging container in which the second drug is packaged. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 1.

5. If the specified drug includes the first drug and the second drug which have the same timing of administration, The recording processing unit causes the first specific information relating to the first drug and the second specific information relating to the second drug to be recorded at a position corresponding to the same packaging container in which the first drug and the second drug are packaged. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 1.

6. When the aforementioned specific drug is taken at both the first and second timings of administration, The recording processing unit records the specific information at a position corresponding to the first sachet container corresponding to the first administration timing, but does not record it at a position corresponding to the second sachet container corresponding to the second administration timing. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 1.

7. The recording processing unit causes the packaging device to perform a printing process that prints the usage information on all of the packaging containers and prints the specific information on specific packaging containers. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 1.

8. The recording processing unit outputs packaging data to the packaging device, which associates the usage information and identification information that can identify whether or not the specific information should be printed on the packaging container for each administration timing. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 1.

9. The packaging device prints the specific information on the packaging container when it obtains the identification information indicating that it is necessary to print the specific information on the packaging container. The medication dispensing support system according to claim 8.

10. The specified information includes at least one of the following: information regarding the type of drug, information regarding the side effects of the drug, and information regarding precautions for the user when taking the drug. A medication dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A medication dispensing support program for a dispensing device that dispenses multiple medications with different administration times into dispensing containers according to those administration times, and discharges a single packaging strip to which multiple such dispensing containers are connected. A medication dispensing support program that causes one or more processors to record the usage information regarding the timing of administration in a location corresponding to each of the multiple packaging containers in which each of the multiple drugs is packaged, and to record specific information regarding a specific drug among the multiple drugs in a location corresponding to the specific packaging container in which the specific drug is packaged.

Images