Dispensing support system, dispensing support method, and dispensing support program

Abstract

To provide a dispensing support system, a dispensing support method, and a dispensing support program capable of reducing the burden of dispensing work in a pharmacy.SOLUTION: A dispensing support system comprises: an assignment processing section that assigns a part or whole of dispensing on the basis of prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy capable of dispensing medicines to any of the pharmacy and dispensing facilities capable of performing a part or whole of dispensing on the basis of the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy; and a first output processing section that outputs an assignment result by the assignment processing section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing support system, a dispensing support method, and a dispensing support program. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems that support dispensing operations performed at dispensing facilities such as pharmacies are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, systems that manage and support dispensing by sending dispensing instructions to dispensing devices, mobile terminals, etc. based on prescription data and collecting information from dispensing devices, mobile terminals, etc. that enables understanding of the progress of dispensing operations are known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6123526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, when a pharmacy receives a single prescription, it is responsible for all dispensing of the prescription data. Therefore, for example, if a pharmacy receives a large number of prescription data, the burden of dispensing work at the pharmacy increases.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing support system, a dispensing support method, and a dispensing support program that can reduce the burden of dispensing work in pharmacies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A dispensing support system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an allocation processor and a first output processor. The allocation processor allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy capable of dispensing medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing facility corresponding to the pharmacy that can perform a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data. The first output processor outputs a result of allocation by the allocation processor.

[0007] A dispensing support method according to another aspect of the present invention is a dispensing support method in which one or more processors allocate part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy capable of dispensing medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing facility corresponding to the pharmacy that can perform part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data, and output a result of the allocation of the dispensing based on the prescription data.

[0008] A dispensing support program according to another aspect of the present invention is a dispensing support program that causes one or more processors to allocate part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy that can dispense medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing facility that can perform part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy, and output the allocation result of the dispensing based on the prescription data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dispensing support system, a dispensing support method, and a dispensing support program that can reduce the burden of dispensing work in pharmacies. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the dispensing support system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the dispensing support system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dispensing support system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in a dispensing support system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the dispensing support system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to help understand the present invention. Note that the following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] [Pharmacy Support System 10] As shown in FIG. 1, a dispensing support system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of pharmacies and a dispensing center capable of dispensing medicines in accordance with dispensing requests made (entrusted) by each pharmacy. Each pharmacy is a facility that dispenses medicines based on patient prescription data. The dispensing center is a facility (corresponding to a dispensing facility according to the present invention) that can accept dispensing requests from each pharmacy for some or all of the medicines based on the prescription data and dispense the medicines based on the dispensing requests. The dispensing support system 10 shown in FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of pharmacies and one dispensing center that can accept dispensing requests from each of the plurality of pharmacies. However, the dispensing support system 10 may also be configured with one pharmacy and one dispensing center. The dispensing support system 10 may also be configured with multiple dispensing centers and multiple pharmacies associated with each dispensing center. For example, when the dispensing support system 10 includes multiple dispensing centers, each pharmacy is assigned to a specific dispensing center. Furthermore, one or more of the multiple pharmacies included in the dispensing support system 10 may function as the dispensing center. For example, a first pharmacy may accept a dispensing request from a second pharmacy and dispense the medicine. In other words, the dispensing facility of the present invention includes a facility (such as a pharmacy or hospital) that dispenses medicines based on prescription data.

[0013] The dispensing support system 10 executes the dispensing process of medicines at either or both of a pharmacy and a dispensing center. The outline of the flow of the dispensing process will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0014] When a patient visits any pharmacy A, they are checked in at Pharmacy A. Pharmacy A receives the patient's health insurance card information (patient information), medical questionnaire, medicine notebook, etc., and then acquires the patient's prescription information (prescription data). For example, Pharmacy A acquires the patient's prescription data from a higher-level system (not shown), such as an electronic medical record system or a prescription input terminal. Pharmacy A may also acquire prescription data by having pharmacy staff receive a paper prescription from the patient and input (register) it into a terminal device.

[0015] A pharmacist at Pharmacy A determines whether the medication prescribed to a patient should be dispensed at Pharmacy A or at a dispensing center. For example, the pharmacist determines where to dispense the medication (Pharmacy A or dispensing center) based on factors such as the type of medication, such as whether the patient needs the medication immediately, and the patient's requests, such as whether the patient wants to receive the medication immediately.

[0016] When the pharmacist decides to have all the drugs included in the patient's prescription data dispensed at the dispensing center, Pharmacy A requests the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data. The dispensing center dispenses all the drugs included in the prescription data based on the dispensing request from Pharmacy A. After completing dispensing and inspection, the dispensing center delivers the dispensed drugs (dispensed drugs) to Pharmacy A. When Pharmacy A receives the dispensed drugs, it inspects them and, if there are no problems, hands them over to the patient. Pharmacy A may deliver the drugs when the patient returns to the pharmacy, or may deliver them to the patient's home or the facility where the patient is staying (hospital, elderly care facility, etc.). The dispensing center may also deliver the dispensed drugs directly to the patient's home or the facility where the patient is staying.

[0017] On the other hand, if the pharmacist decides to dispense all of the drugs included in the patient's prescription data at Pharmacy A, Pharmacy A dispenses all of the drugs included in the prescription data using dispensing equipment within Pharmacy A. After completing dispensing and inspection, Pharmacy A hands over the dispensed drugs to the patient.

[0018] The dispensing support system 10 can also dispense some of the drugs included in the prescription data at a dispensing center and other drugs at a pharmacy. For example, when a pharmacist decides to dispense some of the drugs M1 included in a patient's prescription data at a dispensing center and other drugs M2 at pharmacy A, pharmacy A dispenses drug M2 using dispensing equipment within pharmacy A and requests the dispensing center to dispense drug M1. After completing the dispensing and inspection of drug M2, pharmacy A hands over the dispensed drug M2 to the patient. Furthermore, the dispensing center dispenses drug M1 included in the prescription data based on the dispensing request from pharmacy A. After completing the dispensing and inspection of drug M1, the dispensing center delivers the dispensed drug M1 to pharmacy A. Upon receiving the dispensed drug M1, pharmacy A inspects it and, if there are no problems, hands over drug M1 to the patient. If a video of the dispensing process, inspection process, and packaging process for drug M1 in the dispensing center is stored in association with drug M1, a pharmacist or staff member at Pharmacy A may review the video to conduct an inspection. The patient may receive only drug M2 when visiting the pharmacy and then receive drug M1 at a later date, or may receive drugs M1 and M2 together after drug M1 is delivered to Pharmacy A.

[0019] In this way, the pharmacy allocates part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data to either the pharmacy or the dispensing center, and the dispensing center dispenses the medicine upon receiving a dispensing request from the pharmacy.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing support system 10 according to this embodiment includes a pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 that supports dispensing allocation operations at pharmacies, and a center-side dispensing support device 5 that supports dispensing operations at dispensing centers.

[0021] The pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 arranged corresponding to each pharmacy and the center-side dispensing support device 5 arranged corresponding to the dispensing center are communicatively connected via a network N0. The network N0 may be a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, an intranet, or the like. In this embodiment, the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 is arranged in the pharmacy, and the center-side dispensing support device 5 is arranged in the dispensing center. In another embodiment, the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 may be arranged outside the pharmacy, and the center-side dispensing support device 5 may be arranged outside the dispensing center. In another embodiment, the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 and the center-side dispensing support device 5 may be configured as a single device (server).

[0022] [Pharmacy dispensing support device 1] 2 illustrates one pharmacy A. Pharmacy A is equipped with a pharmacy dispensing support device 1, an in-pharmacy terminal 1A, and multiple dispensing machines 1B. The pharmacy dispensing support device 1, the in-pharmacy terminal 1A, and the dispensing machines 1B are communicatively connected via a network N1. The network N1 may be a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, an intranet, or the like.

[0023] The dispensing device 1B is a device that dispenses medicines based on prescription data (e.g., packaging data) input from the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1. The dispensing device 1B is, for example, a medicine packaging device that can package medicines into medicine pouches for each administration period based on the prescription data. The medicine packaging device is a tablet packaging machine that packages tablets or a powder medicine packaging machine that packages powder medicine. Specifically, the tablet packaging machine has multiple medicine cassettes containing multiple types of tablets, and performs a packaging operation of dispensing tablets from the medicine cassettes according to prescription data and packaging them in the medicine pouches for each administration period. The powder medicine packaging machine also performs a packaging operation of packaging input powder medicine into the medicine pouches for each administration period according to the prescription data.

[0024] The pharmacy terminal 1A is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. A pharmacist in pharmacy A uses the pharmacy terminal 1A to check prescription data and allocate medications based on the prescription data. When the pharmacy dispensing support device 1 is placed in pharmacy A, the pharmacy terminal 1A may have the functions of the pharmacy dispensing support device 1. The pharmacy dispensing support device 1 and the pharmacy terminal 1A are examples of the operation terminal of the present invention.

[0025] [Pharmacy dispensing support device 1] The pharmacy dispensing support device 1 is an information processing device (e.g., a personal computer) including a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication interface 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a drive device 16. The pharmacy dispensing support device 1 alone may constitute the dispensing support system according to the present invention. Furthermore, a host system (not shown) such as an electronic medical record system or a prescription input terminal that inputs prescription data to the pharmacy dispensing support device 1 may be connected to the pharmacy dispensing support device 1 via a network N1. The pharmacy dispensing support device 1 may be configured to allow prescription data to be input using the operation unit 15 or the pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0026] The communication interface 13 is a communication interface for connecting the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 to the network N1, for example, by wire or wirelessly, and performs data communication with the dispensing equipment 1B, the in-pharmacy terminal 1A, etc. connected via the network N1. The communication interface 13 is also a communication interface for connecting the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 to the network N0, for example, by wire or wirelessly, and performs data communication with the center-side dispensing support device 5, etc. connected via the network N0.

[0027] The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The CPU is a processor that controls the pharmacy dispensing support device 1 by executing processes 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 the CPU to load various control programs and temporarily store data.

[0028] The 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. Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores a dispensing support program for causing the control unit 11 to execute the dispensing support process (see FIGS. 5 and 6, etc.) described below.

[0029] The drive device 16 is capable of reading the dispensing support program from a computer-readable recording medium 17 on which the dispensing support program is recorded. The recording medium 17 is a CD, DVD, BD, USB memory, or the like. Then, in the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1, the control unit 11 installs the dispensing support program read from the recording medium 17 by the drive device 16 into the memory unit 12.

[0030] Specifically, the control unit 11 includes various processing units such as an acquisition processing unit 111, a reception processing unit 112, a distribution processing unit 113, a proposal processing unit 114, a dispensing display processing unit 115, a request processing unit 116, a progress display processing unit 117, a correction processing unit 118, and a determination processing unit 119. The control unit 11 executes various processes in accordance with the dispensing support program, thereby functioning as the acquisition processing unit 111, the reception processing unit 112, the distribution processing unit 113, the proposal processing unit 114, the dispensing display processing unit 115, the request processing unit 116, the progress display processing unit 117, the correction processing unit 118, and the determination processing unit 119.

[0031] The acquisition processing unit 111 acquires prescription data of a patient. For example, when a patient visits pharmacy A, pharmacy staff accepts health insurance card information (patient information), a medical questionnaire, a medicine notebook, etc. from the patient. When the pharmacy staff inputs the patient information into the pharmacy terminal 1A, the pharmacy terminal 1A acquires the patient's prescription data from a higher-level system. The acquisition processing unit 111 acquires the patient's prescription data from the pharmacy terminal 1A. Note that the acquisition processing unit 111 may acquire the prescription data from the higher-level system based on the patient information.

[0032] In another embodiment, when a pharmacy staff member receives a paper prescription from a patient, the pharmacy staff member operates the pharmacy terminal 1A to input (register) the contents of the prescription (prescription information). In this case, the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires prescription data corresponding to the prescription information from the pharmacy terminal 1A. Alternatively, the pharmacy staff member may operate the operation unit 15 to input the contents of the prescription into the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1.

[0033] In another embodiment, when a patient photographs a paper prescription with a camera using his / her own operation terminal or the like and transmits the photographed prescription image to Pharmacy A (pharmacy terminal 1A), the pharmacy staff inputs the prescription contents based on the prescription image acquired from the operation terminal. In this case, the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires prescription data corresponding to the prescription information from the pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0034] When the acquisition processing unit 111 acquires the prescription data, it displays the prescription contents on the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A. Fig. 3 shows an example of a prescription screen (prescription contents screen) including the prescription contents. When the pharmacist presses the "Confirm details" button on the prescription screen shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 11 displays a prescription screen (prescription details screen) including detailed information on the prescription contents, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0035] The pharmacist at Pharmacy A checks the medicine notebook, patient information (allergies, drug side effects, etc.), medical questionnaire, etc., and asks the patient about symptoms, etc., and registers the confirmed details. The registered information is stored as the patient's medication history information. The pharmacist also checks the contents of the prescription data (prescription contents) acquired by the acquisition processing unit 111. The pharmacist can check the prescription data on the pharmacy terminal 1A. For example, the pharmacist checks whether the drug being prescribed this time is safe for the patient to take. Specifically, the pharmacist checks the prescription history, allergy history, side effect history, drug interactions, drug dosage, etc. The prescription check may be performed automatically on the pharmacy terminal 1A. Once the prescription check is complete, the prescription contents are provisionally confirmed.

[0036] The reception processing unit 112 receives an operation from a pharmacist to allocate dispensing of prescription data. For example, the pharmacist checks the prescription contents of the prescription data and determines whether or not it is possible to request a dispensing center to dispense the prescription data. For example, if the prescribed drug is a drug that the patient needs immediately (e.g., a drug that should be taken immediately), the pharmacist determines that it is not possible to request a dispensing center to dispense the prescription data. Also, for example, if the patient suffers from a chronic disease, the prescribed drug is a drug for the chronic disease, and the drug is the same as a drug prescribed in the past and there is drug remaining from the previous prescription, the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request a dispensing center to dispense the prescription data this time.

[0037] The pharmacist inputs, based on his / her own judgment, whether or not it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data into the in-pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0038] In addition, the pharmacist may confirm the patient's requests and determine whether it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data. For example, if a patient who visits Pharmacy A wishes to receive the prescribed drug on the spot, the pharmacist determines that it is not possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data. Also, for example, if a patient who visits Pharmacy A agrees that it is okay to receive the prescribed drug at a later date (or several hours later on the same day), the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data.

[0039] Based on the patient's request, the pharmacist inputs into the intra-pharmacy terminal 1A whether or not it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data.

[0040] The reception processing unit 112 accepts the input operation by the pharmacist. For example, when the pharmacist presses the "Register as a candidate for outsourcing to a dispensing center" or "Perform in-pharmacy dispensing" button on the display screen shown in Fig. 3 or 4, the reception processing unit 112 accepts the operation. If the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data, the pharmacist presses "Register as a candidate for outsourcing to a dispensing center," and if the pharmacist determines that it is not possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data, the pharmacist presses "Perform in-pharmacy dispensing."

[0041] Here, when the prescription data includes multiple drugs, the pharmacist can determine whether or not it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense each drug, and input the determination. For example, when drugs M2 and M4 among four drugs M1 to M4 included in the prescription data are drugs that the patient needs immediately, and drugs M1 and M3 are drugs that the patient does not need immediately, the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense drugs M1 and M3, but that it is not possible to request the dispensing center to dispense drugs M2 and M4.

[0042] The distribution processing unit 113 executes a distribution process to distribute part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data to either Pharmacy A or the dispensing center. Specifically, the distribution processing unit 113 executes the distribution process based on the input operation (user operation) by the pharmacist. For example, if the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the prescription data to the dispensing center. On the other hand, if the pharmacist determines that it is not possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the prescription data to Pharmacy A.

[0043] Furthermore, if the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense drugs M1 and M3 from the prescription data, but determines that it is not possible to request the dispensing center to dispense drugs M2 and M4 from the prescription data, the allocation processing unit 113 allocates the dispensing of part of the prescription data (drugs M1 and M3) to the dispensing center, and allocates the dispensing of part of the prescription data (drugs M2 and M4) to pharmacy A. Note that the allocation processing unit 113 may allocate the dispensing of part of the drugs in the prescription data to the dispensing center, and allocate the dispensing of the remaining drugs in the prescription data to pharmacy A, based on an arbitrary decision (instruction operation) of the user (pharmacist, etc.).

[0044] The allocation processing unit 113 may also execute the allocation process based on the inventory status of drugs stored at the dispensing center. Specifically, the allocation processing unit 113 refers to the current inventory status at the dispensing center, and allocates the dispensing of the prescription data to the dispensing center if the inventory amount of the drug included in the prescription data is equal to or greater than the total prescribed amount. Here, the inventory quantity in the inventory status is not limited to the actual number of drugs currently stored at the dispensing center, but may also include the planned number of drugs to be received at the dispensing center. In other words, the allocation processing unit 113 allocates the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing center if the drug included in the prescription data can be secured at the dispensing center based on the inventory status of the drug stored at the dispensing center.

[0045] Furthermore, when dispensing is requested to a dispensing center, the distribution processing unit 113 may execute the distribution processing based on the scheduled delivery date (scheduled delivery date to a pharmacy or a patient's home) (delivery date) of the dispensed medicine. For example, when the scheduled delivery date of the medicine requested to be dispensed according to the prescription data is before the patient's start date of taking the medicine, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the prescription data to a dispensing center. On the other hand, when the scheduled delivery date of the medicine requested to be dispensed according to the prescription data is after the patient's start date of taking the medicine, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the prescription data to pharmacy A.

[0046] In this way, the distribution processing unit 113 may perform the distribution processing based on the pharmacist's judgment (the input operation) and information related to dispensing operations at the dispensing center (stock status, delivery information, etc.). The distribution processing unit 113 is an example of the distribution processing unit of the present invention. The control unit 11 outputs the distribution result by the distribution processing unit 113.

[0047] Here, when the allocation processing unit 113 allocates part or all of the dispensing of the prescription data to pharmacy A, the dispensing is carried out at pharmacy A. For example, the control unit 11 generates packaging data based on the prescription data and inputs the packaging data to dispensing device 1B (e.g., a medicine packaging device), thereby starting automatic dispensing by dispensing device 1B. As a result, a medicine packet containing the medicine to be taken by the patient is obtained. Once the dispensing work by dispensing device 1B is completed, a pharmacist in charge of inspection then inspects the medicine dispensed by dispensing device 1B. Note that the inspection may use an image inspection system that captures an image of the medicine dispensed by dispensing device 1B and automatically inspects it based on the captured image. Once the inspection of the medicine is completed, the pharmacist provides medication instructions to the patient and hands over the medicine to the patient.

[0048] The proposal processing unit 114 proposes allocating the dispensing of the prescription data to a dispensing center. Specifically, the proposal processing unit 114 proposes allocating the dispensing of the prescription data to a dispensing center based on the inventory status of medicines at the dispensing center. In addition, the proposal processing unit 114 displays the proposal information to the pharmacist on the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0049] For example, if the drug to be requested to be dispensed at the dispensing center is not adopted by the dispensing center or cannot be secured at the dispensing center, and a generic version of the drug is adopted by the dispensing center and can be secured at the dispensing center, the proposal processing unit 114 proposes substituting the generic drug for the drug and allocating the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing center. For example, if the drug in the prescription data is adopted by Pharmacy A but not adopted by the dispensing center, the proposal processing unit 114 proposes a generic drug that can be dispensed at the dispensing center. Note that if Pharmacy A does not have the drug in the prescription data in stock, the proposal processing unit 114 may propose a generic drug that can be dispensed at the dispensing center, or may propose the generic drug regardless of whether Pharmacy A has stock or not.

[0050] The drug in the prescription data may be a generic drug. In this case, for example, if the generic drug X1 included in the prescription data cannot be secured at the dispensing center, but a generic drug X2 from another company that has the same active ingredient and efficacy as the generic drug X1 can be secured at the dispensing center, the proposal processing unit 114 may propose allocating the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing center (requesting dispensing of generic drug X2). In other words, the first drug of the present invention may be either an original drug or a generic drug.

[0051] Furthermore, for example, when pharmacy A can secure divided tablets of less than one tablet (half a tablet, 1 / 4 tablet, etc.) for the drug in the prescription data, while the dispensing center can secure whole tablets (1 tablet), the proposal processing unit 114 proposes allocating the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing center. For example, when pharmacy A needs to perform dividing work such as cutting half tablets for the drug in the prescription data, while the dispensing center can secure whole tablets that do not require dividing work, the proposal processing unit 114 proposes whole tablets that can be dispensed at the dispensing center.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, the proposal processing unit 114 may propose how to dispense a drug depending on the type of drug included in the prescription data. For example, if the prescription data includes a prescription for one type of drug M1 of 5 mg, and pharmacy A can dispense a 10 mg integer tablet by dividing it into 5 mg tablets, and a dispensing center can dispense 5 mg integer tablets, the proposal processing unit 114 proposes integer tablets for drug M1 that can be dispensed at the dispensing center. Furthermore, in the above example, the proposal processing unit 114 may suggest (or accept a selection operation for) that, for a prescription for 5 mg drug M1, it is possible to select whether pharmacy A dispenses a 10 mg integer tablet by dividing it into 5 mg tablets, or whether a dispensing center dispenses a 5 mg integer tablet.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, if prescription data includes multiple types of drugs (drugs M1 to M4), and drug M1 and drug M2 can be secured in integer tablets at pharmacy A, while drug M3 and drug M4 cannot be secured at pharmacy A but can be secured at a dispensing center, the proposal processing unit 114 may suggest that the patient can choose whether or not to dispense each drug separately (may accept a selection operation), or may suggest that all drugs be distributed together to the dispensing center.

[0054] Also, for example, if the prescription data includes a prescription for 5 mg of drug M1, and pharmacy A only uses 10 mg tablets of drug M1 (master registration), the order for drug M1 on the receipt computer will be "drug M1 10 mg 0.5 tablets." Therefore, for example, when requesting (outsourcing) the dispensing of drug M1 to a dispensing center, the information "drug M1 10 mg 0.5 tablets" is registered in pharmacy terminal 1A, and a dispensing request is output to the dispensing center. Here, if Pharmacy A is aware of the inventory status of the dispensing center and, for example, possesses both "Drug M1 10 mg" and "Drug M1 5 mg," and the dispensing center is capable of dividing "Drug M1 10 mg" into half tablets (5 mg) and dispensing "Drug M1 10 mg" as whole-dose tablets, the dispensing center (center-side dispensing support device 5) may notify Pharmacy A (pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1) that it is capable of dispensing both "5 mg whole-dose tablets" and "dividable tablets (half tablets) obtained by dividing 10 mg into 5 mg." Based on the notification, the suggestion processing unit 114 may suggest that either "5 mg whole-dose tablets" or "dividable tablets (half tablets) obtained by dividing 10 mg into 5 mg" are available. A pharmacist at Pharmacy A may request (entrust) the dispensing center to dispense either "5 mg whole-dose tablets" or "10 mg half tablets" for dispensing Drug M1, depending on the patient's request, etc.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, if the prescription data includes a prescription for 5 mg of drug M1, and other drugs M2 and M3 having the same active ingredients and the same efficacy and effects as drug M1 are present in the inventory of the dispensing center, the proposal processing unit 114 may suggest a choice between "drug M1 5 mg," "drug M2 5 mg," and "drug M3 5 mg" as drugs to be requested (contracted) to the dispensing center. The pharmacist at pharmacy A determines which drug to request the dispensing center to dispense from among drugs M1, M2, and M3.

[0056] In this way, the proposal processing unit 114 proposes an alternative drug that can be dispensed at the dispensing center for the drug in the prescription data.

[0057] When the pharmacist approves (accepts) the proposal made by the proposal processing unit 114, the allocation processing unit 113 allocates the dispensing of the medicine to a dispensing center.

[0058] Furthermore, if the dispensing center cannot secure the alternative drug, or if the pharmacist does not accept the proposal made by the proposal processing unit 114, the allocation processing unit 113 allocates the dispensing of the drug to pharmacy A. The proposal processing unit 114 is an example of the proposal processing unit of the present invention.

[0059] The dispensing display processing unit 115 outputs dispensing information for one or more drugs included in the prescription data to the display unit 14 or the pharmacy terminal 1A. Specifically, the dispensing display processing unit 115 displays a screen including information related to dispensing. For example, the dispensing display processing unit 115 displays, on the display unit 14 or the pharmacy terminal 1A, a screen for confirming the prescription data and drugs to be requested for dispensing from the dispensing center, a screen showing the dispensing results (images of the dispensing deliverables), a screen for confirming various forms, a screen showing images of packaged products, a screen showing images of a medication calendar and a medication tray, etc. The pharmacist confirms, for example, the contents of the dispensing request to the dispensing center and executes the dispensing request. The information displayed by the dispensing display processing unit 115 is an example of the allocation result. The dispensing display processing unit 115 is an example of a second output processing unit of the present invention.

[0060] The request processing unit 116 requests the dispensing center to dispense medication. For example, when a pharmacist performs an operation to execute a dispensing request, the request processing unit 116 outputs a dispensing request to the dispensing center (center-side dispensing support device 5). The dispensing request includes patient information, information about prescription data and drugs for which dispensing is requested, information about the scheduled delivery date (desired delivery date), and the like. The request processing unit 116 may output the dispensing request to the dispensing center individually for each patient, or may collectively output the dispensing requests of multiple patients collected at a predetermined timing to the dispensing center. The dispensing request is an example of the allocation result. The request processing unit 116 is an example of a first output processing unit of the present invention. When the dispensing center receives the dispensing request from pharmacy A, it carries out dispensing.

[0061] When the request processing unit 116 outputs the dispensing request to the dispensing center, the progress display processing unit 117 outputs the progress status of dispensing at the dispensing center to the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A. Specifically, the progress display processing unit 117 displays the progress status of at least one of dispensing of the medicine corresponding to the dispensing request and delivery of the dispensed medicine dispensed at the dispensing center on the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A. The pharmacist or the staff of Pharmacy A can appropriately check the progress status of the dispensing to confirm whether the dispensing process is being carried out as scheduled. In addition, the pharmacist or the staff of Pharmacy A can appropriately check the delivery status of the dispensed medicine to confirm whether the delivery is being carried out as scheduled. The progress display processing unit 117 is an example of a third output processing unit of the present invention.

[0062] Here, for example, after the dispensing request is output to the dispensing center, if there is an error in the request content, if there is a change (prescription correction), or if the dispensing request is no longer necessary, the pharmacist can correct or cancel the dispensing request. In this case, the correction processing unit 118 outputs an instruction to correct the dispensing request or an instruction to cancel the dispensing request to the dispensing center (center-side dispensing support device 5). For example, when the correction processing unit 118 receives an instruction to correct the request content included in the dispensing request, it outputs an instruction to correct the dispensing request to the dispensing center. When the center-side dispensing support device 5 receives the correction instruction from the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1, it executes processing according to the correction instruction.

[0063] The correction operation includes at least one of an operation to correct the prescription content of the prescription data, an operation to correct the delivery address of the dispensed medicine dispensed at the dispensing center, and an operation to correct the scheduled delivery date of the dispensed medicine. In addition, the operation to correct the prescription content includes an operation to change the dosage form, an operation to change the content standard, an operation to change to a single dose, an operation to change to a generic drug, etc.

[0064] The determination processing unit 119 determines whether there is an abnormality (problem) in the dispensing performed at the dispensing center. For example, when the dispensing center dispenses the medicine according to the dispensing request and delivers the dispensed medicine to Pharmacy A, staff or a pharmacist at Pharmacy A receives the medicine, inspects it, and checks the medicine. For example, the pharmacist checks whether the medicine has been dispensed according to the request to the dispensing center. Specifically, the pharmacist inspects the medicine (inspecting the quantity, type, etc.) and checks the dispensing results and evidence information at the dispensing center. Pharmacy A can also refer to the final inspection certificate issued by the dispensing center. For example, the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 can obtain the final inspection certificate from the center-side dispensing support device 5 based on the prescription data and display it on the display unit 14 or the pharmacy terminal 1A. The pharmacist inputs whether there is a problem with the dispensed medicine into the center terminal 5A. The determination processing unit 119 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the dispensing performed at the dispensing center based on the input operation of the inspection results by the staff and pharmacists. Note that, since the medicines delivered to Pharmacy A have undergone a final inspection at the dispensing center, a non-pharmacist (staff) at Pharmacy A may check (inspect) the medicines. Also, Pharmacy A may omit the confirmation work (approval work) of evidence information and dispensing information for all medicines. For example, the staff or pharmacist at Pharmacy A may confirm receipt and inspect dispensed medicines, and omit checking evidence information, dispensing information, etc. of the medicines. The determination processing unit 119 is an example of a determination processing unit of the present invention.

[0065] If there is an abnormality in the dispensing at the dispensing center, the request processing unit 116 outputs a re-dispensing request to the dispensing center to request that the dispensing be performed again based on the prescription data. Specifically, the request processing unit 116 requests the dispensing center to re-dispensing based on the pharmacist's operation. Note that the request processing unit 116 may output a re-dispensing request to the dispensing center if there is an abnormality in the dispensing at the dispensing center and the scheduled delivery date of the dispensed drug after re-dispensing falls within a predetermined deadline. The predetermined deadline is, for example, the patient's start date for taking the drug or the delivery date of the drug desired by the patient. Furthermore, if there is an abnormality in the dispensing at the dispensing center and the scheduled delivery date of the dispensed drug after re-dispensing does not fall within the predetermined deadline, the control unit 11 causes Pharmacy A to dispense the drug for which the dispensing center has been requested to dispense.

[0066] If there are no abnormalities in the dispensing at the dispensing center, the pharmacist hands over the drug to the patient. The pharmacist also provides medication instructions when handing over the drug. The pharmacist may also provide medication instructions on the day the patient receives the prescription. The medication instructions may also be provided online. For example, the patient may connect their own operation terminal to the pharmacy terminal 1A via a network and receive medication instructions from a pharmacist operating the pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0067] In the above-described configuration, the request processing unit 116, the dispensing display processing unit 115, and the progress display processing unit 117 included in the control unit 11 may be configured as a single output processing unit, or may be distributed and arranged in different devices (such as the pharmacy dispensing support device 1, the pharmacy terminal 1A, etc.). Furthermore, the request processing unit 116, the progress display processing unit 117, and the correction processing unit 118 included in the control unit 11 may be configured as a single output processing unit, or may be distributed and arranged in different devices (such as the pharmacy dispensing support device 1, the pharmacy terminal 1A, etc.).

[0068] [Center-side dispensing support device 5] The center-side dispensing support device 5 is an information processing device (for example, a personal computer) including a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication interface 53, a display unit 54, an operation unit 55, a drive device 56, and the like.

[0069] The communication interface 53 is a communication interface for connecting the center-side dispensing support device 5 to the network N5, for example, by wire or wirelessly, and performs data communication with the dispensing equipment 5B, the in-center terminal 5A, etc. connected via the network N5. The communication interface 53 is also a communication interface for connecting the center-side dispensing support device 5 to the network N0, for example, by wire or wirelessly, and performs data communication with the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1, etc. connected via the network N0.

[0070] The control unit 51 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU is a processor that controls the center-side dispensing support device 5 by executing processes according to various control programs. The ROM is a non-volatile memory in which programs such as BIOS to be executed by the CPU are pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory used for the CPU to load various control programs and temporarily store data.

[0071] The storage unit 52 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 51. Specifically, the storage unit 52 stores a control program for causing the control unit 51 to execute predetermined processing.

[0072] The drive device 56 can read the control program from a computer-readable recording medium 57 on which the control program is recorded. The recording medium 57 is a CD, DVD, BD, USB memory, or the like. Then, in the center-side dispensing support device 5, the control program read by the drive device 56 from the recording medium 57 is installed in the memory unit 52 by the control unit 51. The control unit 51 executes various processes in accordance with the control program.

[0073] For example, when the control unit 51 acquires a dispensing request of prescription data from the pharmacy dispensing support device 1, it carries out dispensing according to the dispensing request.

[0074] For example, the control unit 51 generates packaging data based on prescription data corresponding to the dispensing request obtained from pharmacy A, and inputs the packaging data into dispensing device 5B (e.g., a medicine packaging device), thereby starting automatic dispensing by dispensing device 5B. As a result, a medicine packet containing the medicine to be taken by the patient is obtained. After the dispensing operation by dispensing device 5B is completed, a pharmacist in charge of inspection then inspects the medicine dispensed by dispensing device 5B. Note that the inspection may be performed using an image inspection system that captures an image of the medicine dispensed by dispensing device 5B and automatically inspects the medicine based on the captured image. The pharmacist also registers evidence information related to the dispensing and inspection. The evidence information is registered in association with the prescription data. Furthermore, when the final inspection is performed, the control unit 51 issues a certificate (final inspection certificate) to ensure that the final inspection has been performed, and stores the final inspection certificate in the memory unit 52 in association with the corresponding prescription data. Furthermore, once the inspection of the medicine is complete, the delivery person places the medicine packet in a medicine bag corresponding to Pharmacy A. The delivery person then carries out the procedures to deliver the medicine bag to Pharmacy A or the patient's home. The delivery person also carries out the delivery procedures so that the medicine arrives on the scheduled delivery date included in the dispensing request.

[0075] Here, the dispensing center can accept dispensing requests from each of the multiple pharmacies, and dispenses medication within the dispensing center each time it accepts a dispensing request. In this way, when the dispensing center handles part of the dispensing operations at multiple pharmacies, the dispensing center is required to perform the dispensing operations efficiently. For this reason, the dispensing center may include, for example, a space for receiving and registering dispensing requests, a space for receiving and storing medicines, a storage space for storing the received medicines, a dispensing space for dispensing medication using dispensing equipment 5B, a transport space for transporting dispensed medicines, an inspection space for inspecting dispensed medicines, and a delivery space for delivering inspected medicines, and the operations in each space are coordinated to be performed.

[0076] The center-side dispensing support device 5 supports a series of operations at the dispensing center by supporting not only the dispensing process but also the receiving process of medicines, the storing process of received medicines in the receiving shelf (storage shelf), the transport process of transporting dispensed medicines within the dispensing center, and the delivery process of delivering dispensed medicines.

[0077] Furthermore, in the dispensing support system 10, the dispensing center is configured to be able to accept the dispensing requests from each of a plurality of pharmacies. For example, if each pharmacy uses an input format for inputting the dispensing destination (pharmacy, dispensing center) of each drug in the prescription data, the dispensing center (center-side dispensing support device 5) may be configured to be able to cooperate with the input format of each pharmacy. For example, the center-side dispensing support device 5 can acquire data (dispensing requests) entered in an input format that differs for each pharmacy. The input format may also be set in advance in the dispensing center. In this case, each pharmacy (pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1) may be configured to be able to cooperate with the input format of the dispensing center. For example, each pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 can input dispensing requests in a common input format, and the center-side dispensing support device 5 can acquire dispensing requests entered in the common input format from each pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1.

[0078] [Prescription flow in the prescription support system 10] An example of the flow of dispensing executed in the dispensing support system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Here, an overview of the overall flow of dispensing at pharmacy A and the dispensing center will be described.

[0079] <Step S101> First, in step S101, the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 acquires prescription data for the patient. For example, when a patient visits pharmacy A and the pharmacy staff receives the patient's health insurance card information (patient information), a medical questionnaire, a medicine notebook, etc. from the patient and inputs the patient information into the pharmacy terminal 1A, the pharmacy terminal 1A acquires the patient's prescription data from the higher-level system. As a result, the control unit 11 acquires the patient's prescription data from the pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0080] <Step S102> In step S102, the control unit 11 allocates the medication based on the prescription data to one or both of a pharmacy and a dispensing center. The control unit 11 determines the allocation destination of the medication based on the pharmacist's judgment or the prescription data. If the control unit 11 allocates part or all of the medication to the dispensing center, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S103. If the control unit 11 allocates part or all of the medication to Pharmacy A, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S121.

[0081] <Step S103> In step S103, the control unit 11 outputs a dispensing request based on the prescription data to the dispensing center. For example, when the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of all medicines included in the prescription data to a dispensing center, the control unit 11 outputs a dispensing request for the entire prescription data to the dispensing center. Also, for example, when the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of some medicines included in the prescription data to a dispensing center, the control unit 11 outputs a dispensing request for those some medicines to the dispensing center.

[0082] <Step S104> In step S104, when the control unit 51 of the center-side dispensing support device 5 acquires the dispensing request from pharmacy A, it executes a drug dispensing process based on the dispensing request. For example, the control unit 51 generates packaging data based on prescription data corresponding to the dispensing request and inputs the packaging data to the dispensing machine 5B. At the dispensing center, the drug is dispensed and the dispensed drug is inspected.

[0083] <Step S105> In step S105, the dispensing center carries out procedures to deliver the dispensed medicine. For example, after completing the inspection of the dispensed medicine, the delivery person at the dispensing center carries out procedures to deliver the medicine (medicine bag) to pharmacy A.

[0084] <Step S106> In step S106, at Pharmacy A, a pharmacist receives the medicine delivered from the dispensing center and inspects it.

[0085] <Step S107> In step S107, at Pharmacy A, the pharmacist provides medication instructions to the patient and hands over the medicine.

[0086] Here, in step S102, the control unit 11 allocates part or all of the medication to pharmacy A, and then in step S121, executes the medication dispensing process within pharmacy A. For example, the control unit 11 generates packaging data based on the prescription data and inputs the packaging data to the dispensing device 1B. At pharmacy A, the medication is dispensed and the dispensed medication is inspected (S122). Then, at pharmacy A, the pharmacist provides medication instructions to the patient and hands over the medication (S107).

[0087] When control unit 11 allocates a part of the medication to the dispensing center and allocates the other part of the medication to the dispensing center, it executes the processes of steps S103 to S107 and steps S121 to S122 in parallel. In this way, when pharmacy A allocates a part or all of the medication based on the prescription data to the dispensing center, the dispensing center dispenses the medicine based on the dispensing request from pharmacy A and hands it over to the patient.

[0088] [Dispensing support process (dispensing allocation process) in the pharmacy dispensing support device 1] An example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed by the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 6. The dispensing support process is executed by the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 corresponding to a pharmacy (Pharmacy A in this case). Note that the present invention may be understood as an invention of a dispensing support method that executes part or all of the processing procedures of the dispensing support process, or as an invention of a dispensing support program that causes a computer such as the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 to execute the dispensing support method.

[0089] <Step S1> First, in step S1, the control unit 11 acquires prescription data for the patient. For example, when a patient visits pharmacy A and the pharmacy staff receives the patient's health insurance card information (patient information), a medical questionnaire, a prescription notebook, etc. from the patient and inputs the patient information into the pharmacy terminal 1A, the pharmacy terminal 1A acquires the patient's prescription data from the higher-level system. As a result, the control unit 11 acquires the patient's prescription data from the pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0090] <Step S2> In step S2, the control unit 11 displays the prescription contents corresponding to the acquired prescription data on the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A (see FIG. 3). For example, on the prescription screen shown in FIG. 3, a pharmacist at Pharmacy A checks the current prescription contents and the previous prescription contents for the patient. When the pharmacist presses the "Confirm details" button to check the details of the prescription contents, the control unit 11 displays the prescription screen including detailed information of the prescription contents (see FIG. 4). In another embodiment, when multiple prescriptions have been issued for the same patient, the control unit 11 may execute a process (integration process) to integrate the information of the multiple prescriptions into a single prescription content. An example of the integration process (see FIG. 23) will be described later.

[0091] <Step S3> In step S3, the control unit 11 determines whether to request the dispensing center to dispense medicine based on the prescription data. Specifically, the control unit 11 executes a determination process based on the operation of the pharmacist. Here, the control unit 11 determines whether to request the dispensing center to dispense medicine on a prescription data basis.

[0092] For example, if the pharmacist determines that the prescribed drug is a drug that the patient needs immediately (e.g., a drug that should be taken immediately), the pharmacist determines that it is not possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data. Alternatively, for example, if a patient who visits Pharmacy A wishes to receive the prescribed drug on the spot, the pharmacist determines that it is not possible to request the dispensing center to dispense the prescription data. In this case, the pharmacist performs an operation to register Pharmacy A as the destination for dispensing of the prescription data. For example, on the prescription screen shown in FIG. 3 or 4, the pharmacist presses the "Dispensing in Pharmacy" button. When the pharmacist performs an operation to register the destination for dispensing as Pharmacy A, the control unit 11 determines that the dispensing center will not be requested to dispense the prescription data (request Pharmacy A) (S3: No). When the control unit 11 determines that the dispensing center will not be requested to dispense the prescription data (S3: No), the control unit 11 allocates Pharmacy A to dispense the prescription data, and transitions the process to step S31.

[0093] <Step S31> In step S31, the control unit 11 determines that the dispensing of the prescription data will be carried out in pharmacy A. For example, the control unit 11 determines that all drugs included in the prescription data will be dispensed in pharmacy A. Thereafter, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S32.

[0094] On the other hand, in step S3, if the control unit 11 determines that a dispensing center should be requested to dispense medication based on the prescription data (S3: Yes), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S4 and allocates medication to each drug included in the prescription data. For example, when the pharmacist presses the "Register dispensing center entrustment candidate" button on the prescription screen shown in FIG. 3 or 4, the control unit 11 determines that a dispensing center should be requested to dispense medication based on the prescription data. Thereafter, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S4.

[0095] When the pharmacist presses the "Register candidate for outsourcing to dispensing center" button, the control unit 11 registers the prescription data as candidate data for dispensing request to the dispensing center. Fig. 7 shows a candidate list screen (outsourcing candidate data list screen) showing a list of the candidate data. On the candidate list screen shown in Fig. 7, when the pharmacist selects a candidate for dispensing request of interest from the list of candidate data and presses the "Confirm details" button, the control unit 11 displays a candidate detail screen (outsourcing candidate data detail screen) including details of the prescription content of the dispensing request to be made to the dispensing center, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0096] <Step S4> In step S4, the control unit 11 determines whether the dispensing destination is the dispensing center or pharmacy A for each of the medicines included in the prescription data.

[0097] For example, if the pharmacist determines that all of the drugs included in the prescription data are not drugs that the patient needs immediately (e.g., drugs that should be taken immediately), the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense all of the drugs. Also, for example, if a patient who visits Pharmacy A agrees that it is okay to receive all of the drugs at a later date (or several hours later on the same day), the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense all of the drugs. If the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request the dispensing center to dispense all of the drugs included in the prescription data, the pharmacist performs an operation to register the dispensing destination of the prescription data as the dispensing center. For example, on the candidate list screen shown in FIG. 7, the pharmacist presses the "Entrust" button. When the pharmacist performs an operation to register the dispensing destination as the dispensing center, the control unit 11 assigns the dispensing of the prescription data to the dispensing center (S4) and proceeds to step S5.

[0098] Furthermore, for example, if the pharmacist determines that some of the drugs included in the prescription data are drugs that the patient needs immediately (for example, drugs that should be taken immediately), the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request Pharmacy A to dispense those drugs and to request a dispensing center to dispense the other drugs. When the pharmacist determines that it is possible to request a dispensing center to dispense some of the drugs included in the prescription data, the pharmacist performs an operation to register the dispensing center and pharmacy as destinations for dispensing of the prescription data. For example, on the candidate details screen shown in FIG. 8, the pharmacist performs an operation to select drugs to be dispensed by the dispensing center.

[0099] For example, when a pharmacist decides to have drugs M1 and M3 of drugs M1 to M4 included in the prescription data dispensed at a dispensing center and drugs M2 and M4 dispensed at pharmacy A, the pharmacist deletes the information on drugs M2 and M4 to be dispensed at pharmacy A from the candidate details screen shown in FIG. 8 and presses the "Register" button. FIG. 9 shows the candidate details screen (outsourcing candidate data details screen) from which the information on drugs M2 and M4 has been deleted. As a result, the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of drugs M1 and M3 of drugs M1 to M4 included in the prescription data to the dispensing center and allocates the dispensing of drugs M2 and M4 to pharmacy A. The control unit 11 also updates the prescription data to be requested to the dispensing center and registers it in the candidate data (see FIG. 7).

[0100] The prescription data registered in the candidate data includes only information on drugs dispensed at the dispensing center, and does not include information on drugs dispensed at pharmacy A. By deleting information on drugs dispensed at pharmacy A from the prescription data (request data) for requesting dispensing at the dispensing center in this way, it is possible to prevent duplicate dispensing at both the dispensing center and pharmacy A. Note that the control unit 11 may compare information on drugs allocated to pharmacy A for dispensing with information on drugs allocated to the dispensing center, and notify the pharmacist of warning information if the information matches.

[0101] 8, the control unit 11 may output, in an identifiable manner, the drugs allocated to the dispensing center among the multiple drugs included in the prescription data. Specifically, the control unit 11 (dispensing display processing unit 115) may display the drugs allocated to the dispensing center and the drugs allocated to pharmacy A in different display fields, or may display the drugs allocated to the dispensing center and the drugs allocated to pharmacy A in different display modes.

[0102] <Step S42> When the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of some of the medicines included in the prescription data to pharmacy A (S4), in step S42, it determines that the dispensing of the medicines will be carried out in pharmacy A. In the above example, the control unit 11 determines that the medicines M2 and M4 included in the prescription data will be dispensed in pharmacy A. Thereafter, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S32.

[0103] <Step S5> When the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of some or all of the medicines included in the prescription data to a dispensing center (S4), in step S5, it provisionally confirms a dispensing request to the dispensing center. For example, the control unit 11 provisionally confirms a dispensing request to the dispensing center for all medicines M1 to M4 (see FIG. 8) included in the prescription data. Alternatively, the control unit 11 provisionally confirms a dispensing request to the dispensing center for medicines M1 and M3 (see FIG. 9) included in the prescription data. Thereafter, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S6.

[0104] Note that, when the dispensing request to the dispensing center is provisionally confirmed, the control unit 11 notifies the dispensing center of information regarding the drug to be requested for dispensing, and secures (provisionally reserves) the required number of the drug. Upon receiving the notification from the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1, the center-side dispensing support device 5 of the dispensing center allocates (secures) the required number of the drug. In this way, by allocating (securing) the stock of the drug at the dispensing center at the stage when it is provisionally confirmed that the dispensing request (consignment) to the dispensing center will be made, it is possible to prevent the drug from running out of stock between the provisional confirmation of the dispensing request to the dispensing center and the actual dispensing request to the dispensing center.

[0105] The center-side dispensing support device 5 may determine the drug lot to be allocated when it receives the notification from the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1. For example, the center-side dispensing support device 5 checks the expiration date of the drug to be prescribed based on information such as the scheduled drug dispensing request (consignment) date and prescription start date, and secures a lot that will not expire. This prevents a situation in which the drug, whose stock has been allocated in advance, becomes expired and the drug cannot be dispensed at the dispensing center.

[0106] <Step S6> In step S6, the control unit 11 determines whether the drug to be dispensed is available at the dispensing center. Specifically, the control unit 11 refers to the current inventory status of the drug stored at the dispensing center and determines whether the inventory amount of the drug to be dispensed is equal to or greater than the total prescription amount. The control unit 11 also determines whether the drug to be dispensed is used at the dispensing center.

[0107] If the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request is used at the dispensing center and the stock amount of the drug is equal to or greater than the total prescription amount (S6: Yes), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S7. On the other hand, if the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request is not used at the dispensing center, or if the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request is used at the dispensing center but the stock amount of the drug is less than the total prescription amount (S6: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S61.

[0108] <Step S61> In step S61, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a substitute drug for the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request has been approved. For example, if the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request is a drug that cannot be secured at the dispensing center because it is not adopted by the dispensing center, and if a generic version of the drug can be secured at the dispensing center, the control unit 11 proposes substituting the generic drug for the drug and allocating the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing center.

[0109] For example, if pharmacy A uses a drug from company X for drug M3 and the dispensing center uses a drug from company Y as a generic drug for drug M3, the control unit 11 proposes a generic drug that can be dispensed at the dispensing center. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 11 proposes an alternative drug (e.g., drug M3 from company Y) on a proposal screen (outsourcing candidate data detail screen) that displays information on candidate drugs to be requested to the dispensing center. Note that, for example, if pharmacy A uses a generic drug from company P for drug M3 and the dispensing center uses a generic drug from company Q as a generic drug for drug M3, the control unit 11 may also propose a generic drug from company Q that can be dispensed at the dispensing center.

[0110] Furthermore, for a drug that is the subject of a dispensing request, if Pharmacy A can secure divided tablets of less than one tablet (half a tablet, 1 / 4 tablet, etc.), while the dispensing center can secure whole-tablets (1 tablet), the control unit 11 suggests allocating the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing center. For example, for drug M1, if Pharmacy A needs to split the half-tablet, but the dispensing center can secure whole-tablet drug M1 that does not require splitting, the control unit 11 suggests whole-tablet tablets that can be dispensed at the dispensing center. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 11 suggests an alternative drug (e.g., drug M1 of 0.5 mg (1 tablet)) on a screen (proposal screen) that displays information on candidate drugs to be requested to be dispensed at the dispensing center. For example, the control unit 11 may accept an operation to select whether Pharmacy A should split and dispense a 1 mg whole-tablet, or whether the dispensing center should dispense a 0.5 mg whole-tablet, for a prescription for drug M1 of 0.5 mg (1 tablet). In this case, the pharmacist performs an operation to select the dispensing destination (pharmacy A or dispensing center) of drug M1. Furthermore, when prescription data includes multiple types of drugs, control unit 11 may accept an operation to select the dispensing destination (pharmacy A or dispensing center) for each drug. Furthermore, control unit 11 may accept an operation to select whether to dispense 1 mg whole tablets or 0.5 mg whole tablets at the dispensing center for a prescription of drug M1 of 0.5 mg (1 tablet).

[0111] As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 11 may display the proposed medicines (alternative medicines) in an identifiable manner on the proposal screen.

[0112] When the pharmacist receives the proposal for an alternative drug, he / she checks with the patient and determines whether or not to accept the proposal for an alternative drug. If the pharmacist accepts the proposal for an alternative drug, he / she presses the "Register" button on the proposal screen shown in Figure 10. As a result, the control unit 11 determines that the alternative drug for the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request has been accepted (S61: Yes), and proceeds to step S7.

[0113] On the other hand, if the pharmacist does not accept the proposal for an alternative drug, he / she presses the "Close" button on the proposal screen shown in Fig. 10. As a result, the control unit 11 determines that the alternative drug for the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request has not been accepted (S61: Yes), allocates the dispensing of the drug to Pharmacy A, and then proceeds to step S62.

[0114] <Step S62> In step S62, the control unit 11 determines that the dispensing of some or all of the medicines in the prescription data will be carried out in pharmacy A. Thereafter, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S32.

[0115] <Step S7> In step S7, the control unit 11 determines the prescription data or drugs to be requested to be dispensed to the dispensing center. For example, when all drugs included in the prescription data can be secured at the dispensing center, the control unit 11 determines all drugs as the drugs to be dispensed. For another example, when some drugs included in the prescription data can be secured at the dispensing center, the control unit 11 determines those drugs as the drugs to be dispensed. For another example, when alternative drugs (generic drugs, drugs that do not require division work) to some drugs included in the prescription data can be secured at the dispensing center, the control unit 11 determines those drugs (alternative drugs) as the drugs to be dispensed.

[0116] <Step S8> In step S8, the control unit 11 edits the prescription data (request data) to be requested to the dispensing center. Specifically, the control unit 11 displays a screen (see FIG. 11) showing the dispensing results (image of the dispensing product), a screen for checking various forms, a screen showing an image of the packaged products, a screen showing an image of the medication calendar and medication tray, etc. The pharmacist checks each of the above screens and makes corrections if necessary.

[0117] Furthermore, when the pharmacist presses the "correct prescription" button on each of the screens shown in Figures 3, 4, and 8 to 10, the control unit 11 can accept a correction operation for the prescription contents on a correction screen (prescription correction screen) shown in Figure 12. When the pharmacist completes the correction operation and presses the "issue prescription" button, the control unit 11 updates the prescription data to be requested to the dispensing center and registers it in the candidate data (see Figure 7).

[0118] <Step S9> In step S9, the control unit 11 confirms the dispensing request to be made to the dispensing center. For example, the pharmacist checks the request data of the dispensing request to be made to the dispensing center, the display contents of each screen, etc., and if there are no problems, performs an operation to register the request data. As a result, the control unit 11 confirms the dispensing request to be made to the dispensing center, and proceeds to step S10.

[0119] Here, the control unit 11 may have the following functions to ensure the reliability of the pharmacy's request to the dispensing center for part or all of the dispensing: For example, as a first function, the control unit 11 may have a function to inspect the prescription at the pharmacy and make inquiries about any doubts as necessary, and to check whether the pharmacy staff (pharmacists, etc.) have applied (notified, reported, etc.) to the dispensing center in advance that these tasks have been completed.

[0120] Furthermore, for example, as a second function, the control unit 11 may have a function of checking whether or not the pharmacy has applied (notified, reported, etc.) to the dispensing center that face-to-face medication instruction for the patient has been completed.

[0121] Furthermore, for example, as a third function, the control unit 11 may have a function of checking whether or not an application (notification, report, etc.) has been made to the dispensing center that online medication instruction for the patient has been completed.

[0122] Furthermore, for example, as a fourth function, the control unit 11 may have a function of checking before or after the fact whether the pharmacy has received a paper copy of the prescription from the patient.

[0123] Furthermore, for example, as a fifth function, the control unit 11 may have a function of checking before or after the fact whether the pharmacy has received the electronic prescription data.

[0124] As a sixth function, the control unit 11 may have a function to check whether there are any specifications (legal or contractual specifications) that prohibit the dispensing center from accepting a dispensing request from a pharmacy. The control unit 11 may also have a function to mutually approve the pharmacy and the dispensing center in the case of a post-check.

[0125] Furthermore, as a seventh function, for example, the control unit 11 may have a function to notify an alert if the deadline exceeds the predetermined number of days, in the case where an application can be made within a predetermined number of days after the dispensing request even if the above-mentioned various applications are not made when request data is sent from the pharmacy to the dispensing center (when a dispensing request is made).

[0126] Furthermore, for example, as an eighth function, the control unit 11 may have a function of checking whether the content of the request data (content of the dispensing request) matches the content of the dispensing deliverable, and a function of notifying the content if there is no match.

[0127] In step S9, the control unit 11 may execute a process (request check process) corresponding to each of the functions. The control unit 11 may also be capable of accepting a selection operation to enable or disable each of the functions. For example, when the pharmacy executes the above-mentioned check process before outputting the dispensing request to the dispensing center, a pharmacist or staff member at the pharmacy performs a setting operation to enable each of the functions. As a result, the control unit 11 executes the enabled function for the confirmed dispensing request.

[0128] Fig. 6B shows an example of the procedure for the request check process. In step S91 of Fig. 6B, the control unit 11 displays a list of confirmed dispensing requests (candidate list screen of Fig. 7). Next, in step S92, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a change in the content of the dispensing request. If there is a change in the content of the dispensing request (S92: Yes), the control unit 11 changes the dispensing request in accordance with the change operation by the pharmacist or the like in step S921. If there is no change in the content of the dispensing request (S92: No), the control unit 11 confirms the dispensing request in step S93.

[0129] Next, the control unit 11 checks the law or contract in step S94, and determines whether there is a change in step S95. The control unit 11 determines whether there is a change in order to prompt the user to check if the check has not been made.

[0130] Here, the item for confirming the dispensing request in step S93 is "confirmation that dispensing can be accepted." It is desirable for the pharmacy to take a guarantee that the dispensing will not be entrusted to the dispensing center without first considering any inquiries about the drug or checking for interactions.

[0131] For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not each of the following check items has been checked to prompt "acknowledgement that pharmaceutical analysis has been completed in advance": "analysis and evaluation of patient information, etc.", "pharmaceutical analysis based on prescriptions, prescribed drugs, and patient information," and "response to inquiries (including inquiries regarding doubts) and prescription changes as necessary."

[0132] Further, for example, the control unit 11 may be configured to receive the following commands: "Rp.1 Glycoran tablets 250 mg, 3 tablets per day: OK for normal diabetic patients" and "Renal function decline 30 ml / min / 1.73 m 2 Determine whether or not "The following are contraindications for administration" is checked. In this case, the patient's renal function test results are inquired of with the prescribing physician, and if they are below 30 ml, the medication must be discontinued or other available medications must be inquired about and a prescription proposal must be made.

[0133] For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not "Rp.1 Feburic tablets: often prescribed for gout patients" is checked. Let's assume that the patient is taking 50 mg azathioprine tablets for a chronic illness at another pharmacy. In this case, there is no problem if the dispensing center simply accepts the dispensing of Feburic tablets. However, if the patient is also taking azathioprine, it is necessary to check for contraindications for interactions, make inquiries about any doubts, and propose a prescription.

[0134] If there are any changes (S95: Yes), the control unit 11 confirms them in step S951. After pointing out any missing checks in step S951 and having the pharmacist check them, the control unit 11 may output an image of the dispensing product (a "virtual" screen) on the screen and have the pharmacist confirm and approve it. For example, the control unit 11 may display a more realistic image, such as virtual or 3D, of the packet size, the color of the lines drawn on the packet paper, and, in the case of a liquid medication bottle, the image of the bottle. This prevents any problems with the final packaging later, whether the medication is delivered directly to the patient's home or to a pharmacy. For example, if the check item is not checked, the control unit 11 determines that the item has not been checked; if the item is checked, the control unit 11 determines that the pharmacist has approved the inspection and pharmaceutical analysis results.

[0135] If there is no change in step S95 (S95: No), the control unit 11 inputs "Checked" in step S96. Then, in step S97, the control unit 11 creates prescription data to be output to the dispensing center. After step S97, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S10 in FIG. 6A.

[0136] <Step S10> In step S10, the control unit 11 outputs a dispensing request (prescription data) to the dispensing center. For example, when a pharmacist selects prescription data that is the subject of the dispensing request on the candidate list screen shown in FIG. 7 and presses the "execute commission" button, the control unit 11 displays the screen (execution screen) shown in FIG. 13. On the execution screen shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 11 displays information on the scheduled shipping date when the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request will be shipped from the dispensing center and the scheduled delivery date (scheduled arrival date) when the drug will be delivered to pharmacy A or the patient's home. On the execution screen shown in FIG. 13, when the pharmacist presses the "execute commission" button, the control unit 11 outputs a dispensing request (request data) to the dispensing center. Note that, when the dispensing center ships the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request multiple times (multiple shipments) in a day, the control unit 11 may display information on the scheduled shipping date and time, the scheduled delivery date and time, and the number of shipments (which shipments on the day).

[0137] <Step S32> When the control unit 11 determines that some or all of the drugs in the prescription data will be dispensed within pharmacy A (S31, S42, S62), in step S32, it outputs a dispensing instruction for the drugs to be dispensed to dispensing device 1B within pharmacy A. For example, the control unit 11 generates packaging data based on the prescription data and inputs the packaging data to dispensing device 1B (e.g., a drug packaging device).

[0138] In this way, the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 executes the dispensing support process including the process of allocating dispensing every time it acquires prescription data for a patient. Once the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of the prescription data, one or both of the dispensing center and pharmacy A responsible for dispensing executes the dispensing work according to the dispensing instructions.

[0139] As described above, the dispensing support system 10 according to this embodiment executes a process of allocating part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy capable of dispensing medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing center (dispensing facility) corresponding to the pharmacy that can execute part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data, and a process of outputting the allocation result. The allocation result includes information indicating the allocation destination (pharmacy, dispensing center) of part or all of the dispensing of the prescription data, information indicating the prescription data or medicines to be allocated to the pharmacy, information indicating the prescription data or medicines to be allocated to the dispensing center, etc.

[0140] According to the above configuration, some or all of the dispensing work performed at pharmacies can be performed at dispensing centers. This reduces the burden of dispensing work at pharmacies. In addition, the time that pharmacists spend shifting from object-facing work to person-facing work increases, which contributes to creating more time for patients at family pharmacies.

[0141] [Another embodiment of the allocation process] In the above-described embodiment, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data to either Pharmacy A or the dispensing center based on the operation of the pharmacist. That is, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the prescription data based on the judgment of the pharmacist.

[0142] In contrast, in another embodiment, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes part or all of the dispensing to either Pharmacy A or the dispensing center based on the prescription data. That is, the distribution processing unit 113 automatically distributes the dispensing of the prescription data based on the prescription data. Specifically, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the prescription data based on the type of drug included in the prescription data. For example, if the drug included in the prescription data is a poison, a narcotic, a powerful drug, etc., the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the drug to Pharmacy A.

[0143] Also, for example, if the drug included in the prescription data is the same as the drug previously prescribed and the previous dispensing was done at a dispensing center, the allocation processing unit 113 allocates the dispensing of the drug to the dispensing center.

[0144] [Other dispensing support processes (dispensing allocation process)] Fig. 14 shows an example of the procedure of the dispensing support process when dispensing of the prescription data is automatically allocated based on the prescription data. Here, the description of the same processes as those in the dispensing support process shown in Fig. 6 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0145] When the control unit 11 acquires prescription data of a patient (S21), in step S22, it executes a distribution process for dispensing medicines based on the acquired prescription data. For example, the control unit 11 distributes the dispensing of medicines included in the prescription data to one or both of the dispensing center and pharmacy A based on the type of medicine, past prescription history, etc.

[0146] When the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of some or all of the drugs included in the prescription data to a dispensing center, it provisionally confirms a dispensing request to the dispensing center in step S23. Next, the control unit 11 checks the inventory of the dispensing center (S24), and if the dispensing center has stock of the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request (S24: Yes), it confirms the dispensing request (S25). Note that the control unit 11 may allocate the inventory of the target drug at the dispensing center at the stage when the dispensing request to the dispensing center is provisionally confirmed.

[0147] If the drug requested for dispensing is not in stock at the dispensing center (S24: No), the control unit 11 proposes an alternative drug and, if the patient agrees (S241: Yes), confirms the drug requested for dispensing (S25). Note that the control unit 11 may automatically determine whether or not to agree to the alternative drug by referring to pre-registered patient information (for example, consent to the use of generic drugs, etc.).

[0148] When the medicines requested for dispensing are confirmed (S25), the control unit 11 edits the request data for requesting dispensing to the dispensing center (S26), confirms the dispensing request (S27), and outputs the dispensing request to the dispensing center (S28).

[0149] In step S22, the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of some or all of the drugs included in the prescription data to pharmacy A, and then in step S221, it determines that the dispensing of the drugs will be carried out in pharmacy A. Furthermore, in step S241, if the patient's consent to the proposal of an alternative drug is not obtained (S241: No), the control unit 11 determines in step S242 that the dispensing of the drugs will be carried out in pharmacy A. After steps S221 and S242, in step S222, the control unit 11 outputs a dispensing instruction to dispensing device 1B in pharmacy A for the drugs to be dispensed.

[0150] As described above, the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 may automatically execute the process of allocating dispensing every time it acquires prescription data for a patient.

[0151] [Other dispensing support processes (dispensing allocation process)] In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 11 may check the stock status of the dispensing center after acquiring the patient's prescription data, and execute a distribution process to distribute the medicine if the dispensing center is able to dispense the medicine of the prescription data. That is, the control unit 11 may execute a process to check the stock status before the distribution process. The dispensing support process corresponding to this configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 15. The description of the same processes as the dispensing support process shown in FIG. 6 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0152] When the control unit 11 acquires the patient's prescription data (S51), in step S52, it checks the inventory status of the dispensing center and determines whether the dispensing center has stock of the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request. If the dispensing center has stock of the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request (S52: Yes), in step S53, the control unit 11 displays the prescription content corresponding to the acquired prescription data. Note that the inventory may include alternative drugs (generic drugs, drugs that do not require division work, etc.). Note that if the dispensing center has stock of the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request, the control unit 11 may allocate the stock of the drug.

[0153] If the drug that is the subject of the dispensing request is not in stock at the dispensing center (S52: No), the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of the prescription data to pharmacy A in step S521.

[0154] After step S53, in step S54, the control unit 11 determines whether to request the dispensing center to dispense the entire prescription data based on the pharmacist's operation. Here, if the pharmacist determines that the prescribed drug is a drug that the patient needs immediately (for example, a drug that should be taken immediately), or if the patient who visits Pharmacy A wishes to receive the prescribed drug on the spot, the pharmacist performs an operation to register Pharmacy A as the dispensing destination of the prescription data. In this case, the control unit 11 determines not to request the dispensing center to dispense the drug based on the prescription data (request Pharmacy A) (S54: No), and in step S521, it is determined that the dispensing of the entire prescription data will be carried out within Pharmacy A.

[0155] In step S54, when the control unit 11 determines that the dispensing center should be requested to dispense medicines based on the prescription data (S54: Yes), in step S55, it determines whether the dispensing destination should be the dispensing center or pharmacy A for each medicine included in the prescription data.

[0156] When the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of some of the medicines included in the prescription data to Pharmacy A (S55), it determines in step S551 that the dispensing of the medicines will be carried out in Pharmacy A.

[0157] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 allocates the dispensing of some or all of the medicines included in the prescription data to a dispensing center (S55), in step S56, it provisionally confirms the dispensing request to the dispensing center, and in step S57, it confirms the prescription data or medicines to be requested to the dispensing center.

[0158] In the following step S58, the control unit 11 edits the request data for requesting the dispensing center to dispense the medicine, confirms the dispensing request in step S59, and outputs the dispensing request to the dispensing center in step S60.

[0159] After steps S521 and S551, in step S522, the control unit 11 outputs a dispensing instruction to the dispensing device 1B in the pharmacy A for the medicine to be dispensed.

[0160] As described above, the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 may check the inventory status at the dispensing center and determine whether or not a dispensing request to the dispensing center is possible before the pharmacist decides where to allocate the dispensing.

[0161] [Show Progress] Here, when the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 outputs the dispensing request to the dispensing center, it outputs the progress status of dispensing at the dispensing center to the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A. For example, on a request screen (entrusted data list screen) shown in FIG. 16, a pharmacist or a staff member of pharmacy A checks a list of request data (entrusted data) for which dispensing has been requested to the dispensing center. The request screen shown in FIG. 16 displays the progress status of dispensing at the dispensing center and the progress status of dispensing at pharmacy A for each piece of request data. In this way, when the dispensing center dispenses a first drug included in the prescription data and pharmacy A dispenses a second drug included in the prescription data, the progress display processing unit 117 displays the progress status of dispensing of the first drug at the dispensing center and the progress status of dispensing of the second drug at pharmacy A on the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A. Furthermore, the progress display processing unit 117 causes the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A to display the progress status of dispensing of the first drug at the dispensing center and the progress status of dispensing of the second drug at pharmacy A side by side on the same screen. Furthermore, when a pharmacist or a staff member of pharmacy A selects the request data to be searched on the request screen shown in FIG. 16 and presses the "Confirm details" button, the control unit 11 causes a request details screen (entrusted data details screen) shown in FIG. 17 to be displayed. The request details screen shown in FIG. 17 displays detailed information on the progress status of dispensing at the dispensing center and the progress status of dispensing at pharmacy A, which correspond to the selected request data. The pharmacist or a staff member of pharmacy A can check the progress status to see if the dispensing process is being carried out as planned.

[0162] Furthermore, when a pharmacist or a staff member of Pharmacy A presses the "View Cargo Tracking" button on the screen shown in FIG. 16 or 17, the control unit 11 accesses a cargo tracking service site and displays the delivery status. Note that the delivery vehicle that delivers the medicine from the dispensing center to each pharmacy may be a vehicle of a delivery company, or may be a vehicle owned or managed by the dispensing center, the pharmacy, or the business that provides the services of the dispensing support system 10. In the dispensing support system 10, the delivery vehicle can be tracked on the cargo tracking service site. The pharmacist or a staff member of Pharmacy A can check the delivery status as needed to confirm whether the delivery is being made as scheduled, etc.

[0163] [Dispensing support process in pharmacy dispensing support device 1 (progress display process)] 18, an example of the procedure of the dispensing support process executed in the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 will be described. The dispensing support process is executed by the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 corresponding to the pharmacy (here, pharmacy A).

[0164] <Step S201> First, in step S201, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an operation to check the progress status has been accepted. For example, when the control unit 11 accepts an operation to check the progress status of the dispensing requested to the dispensing center from the pharmacist of Pharmacy A (S201: Yes), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S202.

[0165] <Step S202> In step S202, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A to display a request screen (see FIG. 16) including the progress status of dispensing at the dispensing center. When the “Confirm details” button is pressed on the request screen, the control unit 11 also causes the display unit 14 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A to display a request details screen (see FIG. 17) including detailed information about the dispensing request.

[0166] <Step S203> In step S203, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a correction operation for the request data (prescription contents) for dispensing requested to the dispensing center has been accepted. For example, after requesting dispensing from the dispensing center, staff and pharmacists at Pharmacy A make correction operations when they discover an error in the dispensing request, such as the prescription contents, delivery address, or scheduled delivery date. When the control unit 11 accepts the correction operation (S203: Yes), it shifts the process to step S204. On the other hand, when the control unit 11 accepts the correction operation (S203: No), it shifts the process to step S205.

[0167] <Step S204> In step S204, the control unit 11 determines whether the dispensed medicine dispensed at the dispensing center has been shipped from the dispensing center. If the dispensed medicine has been shipped from the dispensing center (S204: Yes), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S205. On the other hand, if the dispensed medicine has not yet been shipped from the dispensing center (S204: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S241.

[0168] <Step S241> In step S241, the control unit 11 outputs a correction instruction for the dispensing request to the dispensing center. When the center-side dispensing support device 5 acquires the correction instruction from the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1, the center-side dispensing support device 5 executes processing according to the correction instruction. For example, the control unit 51 of the center-side dispensing support device 5 changes the prescribed medicine or the scheduled delivery date based on the correction instruction. After processing step S241, the control unit 11 shifts the processing to step S201. In this way, when the control unit 11 receives a correction operation for the dispensing request (S203: Yes), it outputs a correction instruction to the dispensing center on the condition that the dispensed medicine has not yet been shipped from the dispensing center (S204: No). When the control unit 11 receives a correction operation for the dispensing request after the dispensed medicine has been shipped from the dispensing center, it does not output a correction instruction to the dispensing center (S204: Yes).

[0169] <Step S205> In step S205, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the dispensed medicine has been received from the dispensing center. For example, when the dispensed medicine sent from the dispensing center is delivered to pharmacy A and a staff member at pharmacy A performs a receiving process (input operation), the control unit 11 determines that the dispensed medicine has been received. When the control unit 11 determines that the dispensed medicine has been received (S205: Yes), it shifts the process to step S206. The control unit 11 repeats the processes of steps S201 to S204 until the dispensed medicine is received.

[0170] <Step S206> In step S206, the control unit 11 performs an inspection process for the dispensed medicines. For example, a staff member at pharmacy A checks the delivery slip and reads the prescription number and two-dimensional code assigned to the dispensing product (medicine bag) to confirm the quantity, etc. After completing the inspection, the staff member inputs the inspection results into the pharmacy dispensing support device 1.

[0171] The pharmacist at Pharmacy A also checks whether there are any problems with the dispensing at the dispensing center. For example, the pharmacist checks the dispensed medicines (dispensing results) they received and evidence information related to dispensing and inspection registered at the dispensing center to determine whether the medicines have been dispensed correctly. Similarly, when the dispensing center directly delivers dispensed medicines to the patient's home or facility, the pharmacist checks the dispensed medicines (dispensing results) and evidence information to determine whether the medicines have been dispensed correctly. FIG. 19 shows an example of an evidence screen including the evidence information. The evidence information includes images of the dispensing product, drug information, and the like. The pharmacist checks the evidence information and, if there are no problems, presses the "Approve" button. If the pharmacist checks the evidence information and determines that there are any problems, he or she can press the "Register Comment" button to input and register a comment on the comment registration screen (see FIG. 20). After completing the confirmation, the pharmacist inputs the confirmation results into the pharmacy dispensing support device 1 or the in-pharmacy terminal 1A.

[0172] <Step S207> In step S207, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the dispensing performed at the dispensing center. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality in the dispensing performed at the dispensing center when it is determined that there is a problem in the inspection and confirmation work performed by the staff and pharmacists of Pharmacy A. When the control unit 11 determines that there is an abnormality in the dispensing performed at the dispensing center (S207: Yes), it shifts the process to step S271. On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines that there is no abnormality in the dispensing performed at the dispensing center (S207: No), it shifts the process to step S208.

[0173] <Step S271> In step S271, the control unit 11 determines whether the scheduled delivery date of the dispensed drug after re-dispensing will meet the specified deadline. For example, the control unit 11 determines whether a request for re-dispensing from the dispensing center will meet the specified deadline, such as the patient's start date for taking the drug or the date the patient wants the drug to be delivered. If the control unit 11 determines that the scheduled delivery date of the dispensed drug after re-dispensing will meet the specified deadline (S271: Yes), it shifts the process to step S272. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the scheduled delivery date of the dispensed drug after re-dispensing will not meet the specified deadline (S271: No), it shifts the process to step S273.

[0174] <Step S272> In step S272, the control unit 11 outputs a re-dispensing request to the dispensing center. Thereafter, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S201. Upon receiving the re-dispensing request from the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1, the control unit 51 of the center-side dispensing support device 5 executes a drug re-dispensing process based on the re-dispensing request. While the re-dispensing is being carried out at the dispensing center, the staff and pharmacists of Pharmacy A can check the progress of the re-dispensing.

[0175] <Step S273> In step S273, the control unit 11 causes pharmacy A to dispense the medicines for which the dispensing center has been requested to dispense. For example, the control unit 11 generates packaging data based on prescription data corresponding to the dispensing request and inputs the packaging data to dispensing device 1B. When the dispensing of the medicines is completed, a pharmacist at pharmacy A inspects the dispensed medicines. In this way, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the dispensing performed at the dispensing center and the scheduled delivery date of the dispensed medicines after re-dispensing will not be in time for the specified deadline, the control unit 11 causes pharmacy A to dispense the medicines for which the dispensing center has been requested to dispense. After step S273, the control unit 11 transitions the process to step S208.

[0176] <Step S208> In step S208, the control unit 11 executes a process of handing over the dispensed medicine to the patient. For example, the control unit 11 notifies the patient that the prescription medicine is ready, receives a report that the pharmacist has provided the patient with medication instructions, and performs accounting.

[0177] In this manner, the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 executes the dispensing support process including the process of displaying the progress of dispensing at the dispensing center.

[0178] As described above, the dispensing support system 10 according to this embodiment executes a process of outputting a dispensing request for part or all of a drug based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy capable of dispensing medicines to a dispensing center (dispensing facility) that can execute part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy, and a process of outputting the progress of dispensing at the dispensing center corresponding to the dispensing request to an operation terminal of the pharmacy (pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1, in-pharmacy terminal 1A, etc.) when the dispensing request has been output to the dispensing center.

[0179] According to the above configuration, even if a pharmacy outsources some or all of its dispensing operations to a dispensing center, the pharmacy can determine whether the dispensing of the prescription data is being carried out appropriately.

[0180] [Second embodiment] In this embodiment, a dispensing support system 20 that allows one pharmacy to request dispensing from multiple dispensing centers will be described. Note that components similar to those described in the above embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0181] The dispensing support system 20 includes a plurality of pharmacies and a plurality of dispensing centers capable of dispensing medicines in accordance with dispensing requests received from each pharmacy. In the example shown in FIG. 21, two dispensing centers P1 and P2 are shown. Each of the dispensing centers P1 and P2 receives dispensing requests from each pharmacy for a portion or all of the medicines to be dispensed based on the prescription data, and is capable of dispensing the medicines based on the dispensing requests. In this embodiment, an unspecified number of dispensing centers are assigned to each pharmacy, and each pharmacy can output dispensing requests to any of the dispensing centers.

[0182] For example, dispensing support system 20 can dispense some of the drugs included in the prescription data at dispensing center P1, some other drugs at dispensing center P2, and the remaining drugs at pharmacy A. For example, if a pharmacist decides to dispense some of the drugs M1 included in a patient's prescription data at dispensing center P1, some of the drugs M2 at dispensing center P2, and the remaining drug M3 at pharmacy A, pharmacy A dispenses drug M3 using dispensing device 1B in pharmacy A, requests dispensing center P1 to dispense drug M1, and requests dispensing center P2 to dispense drug M2. After completing the dispensing and inspection of drug M3, pharmacy A hands over the dispensed drug M3 to the patient. Furthermore, dispensing center P1 dispenses drug M1 included in the prescription data based on the dispensing request from pharmacy A. When dispensing center P1 completes dispensing and inspection of drug M1, it delivers the dispensed drug M1 to pharmacy A. Furthermore, dispensing center P2 dispenses drug M2 included in the prescription data based on a dispensing request from pharmacy A. When dispensing center P2 completes dispensing and inspection of drug M2, it delivers the dispensed drug M2 to pharmacy A. When pharmacy A receives dispensed drugs M1 and M2 from dispensing centers P1 and P2, it inspects them and, if there are no problems, hands them over to the patient. The patient may receive only drug M3 when visiting the pharmacy and then receive drugs M1 and M2 at a later date, or may receive drugs M1, M2, and M3 together after drugs M1 and M2 have been delivered to pharmacy A.

[0183] In this manner, in this embodiment, each pharmacy can allocate a portion of the medications dispensed based on prescription data to the first dispensing center, and allocate another portion of the medications dispensed to the second dispensing center.

[0184] Specifically, the control unit 11 of the pharmacy-side dispensing support device 1 corresponding to pharmacy A extracts, from among the multiple dispensing centers, multiple dispensing centers to which pharmacy A will request dispensing of the prescription data acquired by pharmacy A, and outputs dispensing requests to each of the extracted multiple dispensing centers.

[0185] For example, when a pharmacist determines that prescription data corresponding to a patient does not include any medicines that the patient immediately needs and that dispensing can be requested from a dispensing center, the distribution processing unit 113 searches for a dispensing destination for the prescription data. For example, the distribution processing unit 113 checks the inventory status of medicines at each dispensing center and searches for a dispensing center that can dispense the medicine.

[0186] For example, if dispensing center P1 is capable of dispensing drugs M1 and M4 among drugs M1 to M4 included in the prescription data, and dispensing center P2 is capable of dispensing drugs M2 and M3 among drugs M1 to M4 included in the prescription data, allocation processing unit 113 allocates the dispensing of drugs M1 and M4 to dispensing center P1 and allocates the dispensing of drugs M2 and M3 to dispensing center P2.

[0187] Here, the method of dispensing medicines using multiple dispensing centers for one prescription data may be executed when a predetermined condition is met. For example, when a pharmacist presses the "split prescription" button on each screen shown in Figures 3, 4, 8 to 10, the control unit 11 can allocate the dispensing of the prescription data to multiple dispensing centers.

[0188] For example, when a pharmacist presses the "Split Prescription" button on the candidate details screen shown in FIG. 8, the allocation processing unit 113 allocates the dispensing of drugs M1 and M4 to dispensing center P1, and allocates the dispensing of drugs M2 and M3 to dispensing center P2. The control unit 11 (dispensing display processing unit 115) displays the allocation results on a split screen (prescription split screen) shown in FIG. 22. On the split screen shown in FIG. 22, "Prescription 1" shows information on drugs M1 and M4 dispensed by dispensing center P1, and "Prescription 2" shows information on drugs M2 and M3 dispensed by dispensing center P2. On the split screen shown in FIG. 22, the pharmacist can check detailed information on prescriptions 1 and 2 by pressing the "Confirm split prescription 1 details" and "Confirm split prescription 2 details" buttons.

[0189] The pharmacist checks the contents of the split prescription and, if there are no problems, presses the "Perform Split" button. This causes the control unit 11 to generate prescription data for which dispensing requests are made to dispensing centers P1 and P2 and register them in the candidate data (see FIG. 7). When the pharmacist presses the "Execute Entrustment" button on the execution screen (see FIG. 13), the control unit 11 (request processing unit 116) outputs dispensing requests (request data) to each of dispensing centers P1 and P2.

[0190] In this embodiment, as described above, medicines are dispensed at a plurality of dispensing centers for one prescription data, and the medicines (medicine envelopes) dispensed at each dispensing center are delivered to the requesting pharmacy or the patient's home.

[0191] In the above-described embodiment, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing based on one prescription data to two dispensing centers P1 and P2, but in another embodiment, the distribution processing unit 113 may distribute the dispensing to three or more dispensing centers. Also, in another embodiment, the distribution processing unit 113 may select one dispensing center from multiple dispensing centers and distribute the dispensing to the selected dispensing center.

[0192] Furthermore, the distribution processing unit 113 may determine a dispensing center to which the prescription is to be distributed based on information such as the inventory status of each dispensing center, the scheduled delivery date (delivery date), the location (distance from the pharmacy or the patient's home), etc. For example, the distribution processing unit 113 extracts, from among multiple dispensing centers, one or more dispensing centers that have inventory of the medicines in the prescription data and are closest to the pharmacy that obtains the prescription data, and distributes the prescription to the extracted dispensing center.

[0193] Furthermore, the distribution processing unit 113 may determine a dispensing center to which the drug is to be dispensed based on information such as the type of drug (e.g., oral drug or topical drug), the drug delivery destination, whether the patient is a regular patient, and the address (postal code classification). For example, when the patient's prescription data includes an oral drug, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the oral drug to a dispensing center dedicated to dispensing oral drugs, and when the patient's prescription data includes an topical drug, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the topical drug to a dispensing center dedicated to dispensing topical drugs. Also, for example, when the drug delivery destination is a pharmacy, the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the drug to a dispensing center dedicated to pharmacies, and when the drug delivery destination is a facility (such as a nursing home), the distribution processing unit 113 distributes the dispensing of the drug to a dispensing center dedicated to facilities.

[0194] In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 exemplifies a case where one prescription is issued for the same patient, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the control unit 11 may execute a process (integration process) to integrate information from multiple prescriptions into a single prescription when multiple prescriptions are issued for the same patient. For example, when a patient visits multiple medical departments and multiple prescriptions are issued, the control unit 11 displays an integrated prescription screen (not shown) that integrates information from the multiple prescriptions into a single prescription. Note that the control unit 11 checks the patient IDs associated with each of the multiple prescriptions to avoid integrating information from prescriptions for different patients, and executes the integration process only if the patient IDs match, or displays only information from prescriptions for the same patient and is confirmed by a pharmacist.

[0195] Furthermore, for example, when a patient visits multiple medical departments and is issued multiple prescriptions, the control unit 11 may execute a process (integration process) to package the medicines for the multiple divided prescriptions into one package. For example, when a patient has been issued prescriptions from both an internal medicine department and an otolaryngology department, the control unit 11 displays an inquiry screen (not shown) asking whether to package medicines that can be packaged in one package based on the same dosing period or meal category, and packages the medicines in one package according to the patient's request.

[0196] The control unit 11 executes the merging process, for example, when a pharmacist presses an "Merge" button (not shown) on the prescription screen shown in FIG. 4. The conditions for executing the merging process are not limited to this. As another example, the control unit 11 may automatically execute the merging process based on pharmacy internal rules. For example, if pharmacy A has an internal rule that "medical treatments for the same patient by multiple departments will be merged," the control unit 11 automatically executes the merging process when multiple prescriptions have been issued for the same patient.

[0197] As another example, the control unit 11 may automatically execute the merging process based on the patient master. For example, information (a flag) identifying whether or not to execute the merging process may be set for each patient. When multiple prescriptions have been issued for the same patient and a flag for executing the merging process is set for the patient, the control unit 11 automatically executes the merging process.

[0198] As another example, the control unit 11 may automatically execute the integration process based on the facility master. For example, information (a flag) may be set for each facility to identify whether a resident of the facility or a resident of a specific room in the facility will execute the integration process. When multiple prescriptions have been issued for the same patient and a flag for executing the integration process is set for the facility or room of the patient, the control unit 11 automatically executes the integration process.

[0199] FIG. 23 shows an example of the procedure of the merging process. The control unit 11 may execute the merging process in step S2 (see FIG. 6A) of the dispensing support process (dispensing allocation process). For example, when the control unit 11 acquires prescription data of a patient (S1 in FIG. 6A), it displays the prescription contents (see FIG. 3) (S211). Next, in step S212, the control unit 11 determines whether the patient has a prescription from another medical department. If the patient has a prescription from another medical department (S212: Yes), the control unit 11 inquires whether the prescriptions should be merged in step S213. If the pharmacist confirms multiple prescriptions for the same patient and issues an instruction to merge them (S213: Yes), the control unit 11 executes prescription merging process in step S214. After step S214, the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S3 in FIG. 6A. Furthermore, if the patient does not have a prescription from another department (S212: No) or if the pharmacist has not issued the integration instruction (S213: No), the control unit 11 shifts the process to step S3 in FIG. 6A.

[0200] In each of the above-described embodiments, the dispensing center is configured to dispense medication in response to a dispensing request transmitted from a pharmacy, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the dispensing request may be transmitted from a patient. For example, when a patient selects a pharmacy on his or her own operation terminal (mobile terminal), the operation terminal transmits a dispensing request to the pharmacy dispensing support device 1. Upon receiving the dispensing request from the patient's operation terminal, the pharmacy dispensing support device 1 performs a process of allocating medication. Once the medication is allocated, the dispensing center dispenses medication based on the patient's dispensing request. In this way, the dispensing request acquired by the dispensing center may come from a pharmacy or a patient.

[0201] The dispensing support system, dispensing support method, and dispensing support program of the present invention enable the outsourcing of dispensing work, which has traditionally been performed at dispensing pharmacies, to specialized dispensing institutions or facilities, such as dispensing centers and dispensing factories, that can centrally manage dispensing work. This allows pharmacists at dispensing pharmacies visited by patients to spend as much time as possible away from the physical task of dispensing, creating an environment in which they can devote their time to interpersonal tasks such as providing medication instructions to patients, checking their daily condition, and communicating with patients about various health issues, thereby enhancing their "family pharmacy" experience. This not only contributes to healthcare digital transformation (DX), including online healthcare, but also contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to "ensure healthy lives for all."

[0202] [Notes on the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0203] <Appendix 1> a distribution processing unit that distributes a part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy that can dispense medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing facility that can execute a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy; a first output processing unit that outputs a result of allocation by the allocation processing unit; A dispensing support system equipped with the above.

[0204] <Appendix 2> The allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to either the pharmacy or the dispensing facility based on a user operation. 1. A dispensing support system as described in Appendix 1.

[0205] <Appendix 3> The allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to either the pharmacy or the dispensing facility based on the prescription data, 1. A dispensing support system as described in Appendix 1.

[0206] <Appendix 4> The allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to either the pharmacy or the dispensing facility based on the type of medicine included in the prescription data. 2. A dispensing support system as described in Appendix 3.

[0207] <Appendix 5> the allocation processing unit allocates dispensing of the first drug to the dispensing facility when the first drug included in the prescription data can be secured at the dispensing facility based on an inventory status of the drug stored at the dispensing facility; A dispensing support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.

[0208] <Appendix 6> a proposal processing unit that proposes allocating the dispensing of the first drug included in the prescription data to the dispensing facility based on an inventory status of the drug stored at the dispensing facility; the allocation processing unit allocates the dispensing of the first medicine to the dispensing facility when the user accepts the proposal made by the proposal processing unit; A dispensing support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5.

[0209] <Appendix 7> When the first drug included in the prescription data cannot be secured at the dispensing facility but a generic version of the first drug can be secured at the dispensing facility, the proposal processing unit proposes substituting the first drug with the generic version and allocating the dispensing of the first drug to the dispensing facility. A dispensing support system as described in Appendix 6.

[0210] <Appendix 8> the proposal processing unit proposes allocating dispensing of the first drug to the dispensing facility when the pharmacy can secure divided tablets of less than one tablet while the dispensing facility can secure whole-tablets for the first drug included in the prescription data; A dispensing support system as described in Appendix 6.

[0211] <Appendix 9> a second output processing unit that outputs dispensing information of one or more medicines included in the prescription data to an operation terminal of the pharmacy; the second output processing unit outputs, to the operation terminal, a medicine allocated to the dispensing facility for dispensing among a plurality of medicines included in the prescription data in an identifiable manner; A dispensing support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 8.

[0212] <Appendix 10> a third output processing unit configured to output a progress status of dispensing at the dispensing facility to an operation terminal of the pharmacy when the first output processing unit outputs a dispensing request to the dispensing facility; A dispensing support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 9.

[0213] <Appendix 11> the allocation processing unit allocates dispensing of a first drug included in the prescription data to the dispensing facility and allocates dispensing of a second drug included in the prescription data to the pharmacy; A dispensing support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 10.

[0214] <Appendix 12> the first output processing unit outputs, to the dispensing facility, a dispensing request for a drug to be dispensed at the dispensing facility in the prescription data when the allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to the dispensing facility; A dispensing support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 11.

[0215] <Appendix 13> the allocation processing unit allocates a part of the medication dispensed based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to a first dispensing facility, and allocates another part of the medication dispensed to a second dispensing facility different from the first dispensing facility; A dispensing support system according to any one of appendices 1 to 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0216] 1: Pharmacy dispensing support device 1A: Pharmacy terminal 1B: Dispensing equipment 5: Center-side dispensing support device 5A: Terminal in the center 5B: Dispensing equipment 10: Dispensing support system 20: Dispensing support system 111: Acquisition processing unit 112: Reception processing unit 113: Distribution processing unit 114: Proposal processing unit 115: Dispensing display processing unit 116: Request Processing Unit 117: Progress display processing section 118: Correction processing section 119: Judgment processing unit

Claims

1. a distribution processing unit that distributes a part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy that can dispense medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing facility that can execute a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy; a first output processing unit that outputs a result of allocation by the allocation processing unit; A dispensing support system equipped with the above.

2. The allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to either the pharmacy or the dispensing facility based on a user operation. The dispensing support system according to claim 1.

3. The allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to either the pharmacy or the dispensing facility based on the prescription data, The dispensing support system according to claim 1.

4. The allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to either the pharmacy or the dispensing facility based on the type of medicine included in the prescription data. The dispensing support system according to claim 3.

5. the allocation processing unit allocates dispensing of the first drug to the dispensing facility when the first drug included in the prescription data can be secured at the dispensing facility based on an inventory status of the drug stored at the dispensing facility; The dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a proposal processing unit that proposes allocating dispensing of a first drug included in the prescription data to the dispensing facility based on an inventory status of the drug stored at the dispensing facility; the allocation processing unit allocates the dispensing of the first medicine to the dispensing facility when the user accepts the proposal made by the proposal processing unit; The dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. When the first drug included in the prescription data cannot be secured at the dispensing facility but a generic version of the first drug can be secured at the dispensing facility, the proposal processing unit proposes substituting the first drug with the generic version and allocating the dispensing of the first drug to the dispensing facility. The dispensing support system according to claim 6.

8. the proposal processing unit proposes allocating dispensing of the first drug to the dispensing facility when the pharmacy can secure divided tablets of less than one tablet, while the dispensing facility can secure whole-tablets, for the first drug included in the prescription data; The dispensing support system according to claim 6.

9. a second output processing unit that outputs dispensing information of one or more medicines included in the prescription data to an operation terminal of the pharmacy; the second output processing unit outputs, to the operation terminal, a medicine allocated to the dispensing facility for dispensing among a plurality of medicines included in the prescription data in an identifiable manner; The dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. a third output processing unit configured to output a progress status of dispensing at the dispensing facility to an operation terminal of the pharmacy when the first output processing unit outputs a dispensing request to the dispensing facility; The dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. the allocation processing unit allocates dispensing of a first drug included in the prescription data to the dispensing facility and allocates dispensing of a second drug included in the prescription data to the pharmacy; The dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. the first output processing unit outputs, to the dispensing facility, a dispensing request for a drug to be dispensed at the dispensing facility in the prescription data when the allocation processing unit allocates a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to the dispensing facility; The dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. the allocation processing unit allocates a portion of the medication dispensed based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy to a first dispensing facility and allocates another portion of the medication dispensed to a second dispensing facility different from the first dispensing facility; The dispensing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. one or more processors, Allocating a part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy capable of dispensing medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing facility capable of dispensing a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy; outputting a dispensing allocation result based on the prescription data; A dispensing support method that carries out the above.

15. Allocating a part or all of the dispensing based on prescription data corresponding to a pharmacy capable of dispensing medicines to either the pharmacy or a dispensing facility capable of dispensing a part or all of the dispensing based on the prescription data corresponding to the pharmacy; outputting a dispensing allocation result based on the prescription data; A dispensing support program for causing one or more processors to execute the above.

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