Drug selection support device, drug selection support method, and drug selection support program
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025503323
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-01
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-16
Abstract
Description
Drug selection support device, drug selection support method, and recording medium
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drug selection support device, a drug selection support method, and a recording medium.
[0002] There are many types of medicines, making it difficult for users with little specialized knowledge to select one. In response to this, there is a technology that recommends appropriate medicines for the symptoms selected by the user when purchasing medicines.
[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a drug search program that, when a user inputs symptoms, recommends medicines that are effective for the symptoms and supplements that are compatible with those medicines.
[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-25879
[0005] However, some medicines have particularly strong effects or side effects and require a pharmacist to provide information, guidance, etc. when purchasing them. One example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that supports the selection of medicines, including medicines that require a pharmacist's assistance.
[0006] A pharmaceutical selection support device in one aspect of the present disclosure includes an extraction means for extracting recommended pharmaceuticals to be recommended to a user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information indicating contraindications for pharmaceuticals; a determination means for determining whether the recommended pharmaceuticals include pharmaceuticals requiring special treatment that require the assistance of a pharmacist when purchasing; and an output means for outputting information regarding the recommended pharmaceuticals, and when the determination means determines that the recommended pharmaceuticals include pharmaceuticals requiring special treatment, the output means outputs pharmacist response information regarding the response of a pharmacist.
[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a drug selection support method involves a computer extracting recommended drugs to a user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information indicating contraindications for drugs, determining whether the recommended drugs include drugs requiring pharmacist intervention when purchasing, outputting information regarding the recommended drugs, and, if it is determined that the recommended drugs include drugs requiring intervention, outputting pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response.
[0008] A pharmaceutical selection support program in one aspect of the present disclosure extracts recommended pharmaceuticals to a user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information indicating contraindications for pharmaceuticals, determines whether the recommended pharmaceuticals include pharmaceuticals that require pharmacist assistance when purchasing, outputs information regarding the recommended pharmaceuticals, and, if it is determined that the recommended pharmaceuticals include pharmaceuticals that require assistance, causes a computer to execute a process to output pharmacist assistance information regarding the pharmacist's response.
[0009] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.
[0010] One example of an effect of the present disclosure is that it can assist in selecting medicines, including medicines that require the assistance of a pharmacist.
[0011] 1 is a diagram showing a usage scene of the drug selection support device in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the drug selection support device in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of drug information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of recommended drugs. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of recommended drugs. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drug selection support device in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a usage scene of the drug selection support device in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the drug selection support device in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an interview screen on the user side. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an interview screen on the pharmacist side. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drug selection support device in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration in which the drug selection support device in the present disclosure is realized by a computer device and its peripheral devices.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to a drug selection support device, a drug selection support method, and a drug selection support program that support a user in selecting a drug. The drug selection support device of the present disclosure may be realized by a server or a terminal device. For example, the drug selection support device of the first embodiment described below includes an extraction unit, a determination unit, and an output unit, but the server or terminal device may have the functions of the extraction unit, the determination unit, and the output unit. Furthermore, the drug selection support device of the present disclosure may be realized by a combination of a server and a terminal device. For example, the drug selection support device of the first embodiment described below includes an extraction unit, a determination unit, and an output unit, but the server may have the functions of the extraction unit, and the terminal device may have the functions of the determination unit and the output unit. The terminal device may be a terminal device provided in a store selling drugs. Alternatively, the terminal device may be a terminal device owned by a user. For example, a user can purchase drugs recommended by the drug selection support device at a store (physical store or online store).
[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage scene of a medicine selection support device according to a first embodiment.
[0015] 1, the drug selection support device acquires the user's purpose or symptoms related to drug selection and the user's medication history, and presents recommended drugs to the user. The drug selection support device may also exchange information with a pharmacist regarding the recommended drugs.
[0016] Next, the configuration of the drug selection support device 100 in the first embodiment will be described.
[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drug selection support device 100 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the drug selection support device 100 includes an extraction unit 101, a determination unit 102, and an output unit 103.
[0018] 2, the extraction unit 101 is an example of an extraction means that extracts recommended drugs to a user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information indicating contraindications for drugs. For example, the extraction unit 101 acquires the user's purpose or symptoms and the user's medication history. Then, the extraction unit 101 extracts from a drug database drugs that are suitable for the user's purpose or symptoms and that are not contraindicated for drugs included in the medication history. The drug database will be described later.
[0019] First, an example of a method by which the extraction unit 101 acquires the user's purpose or symptoms and the user's medication history will be described. Here, the user's purpose or symptoms are those related to the user's purchase of a medicine. The user's purpose is the purpose for taking a medicine, such as, but not limited to, moisturizing, pain relief, or fever reduction. The user's symptoms are symptoms that the user wishes to improve by taking a medicine, such as, but not limited to, cough, runny nose, or abdominal pain. When the drug selection support device 100 is implemented by a server, the extraction unit 101 acquires the user's purpose or symptoms and the user's medication history from information input by the user on a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the server and used by the user. When the drug selection support device 100 is implemented by a terminal device, the extraction unit 101 acquires the user's purpose or symptoms and the user's medication history from information input by the user on an input unit included in the terminal device or an input device communicatively connected to the terminal device.
[0020] For example, the extraction unit 101 acquires the user's purpose or symptoms through an input operation by the user on the terminal device. The user's purpose or symptoms are the purpose for which the user uses a medicine or the symptoms that the user wants to improve by using a medicine. For example, the extraction unit 101 acquires the purpose or symptoms selected from a selection of purposes or symptoms displayed on the terminal device. The purpose or symptoms displayed on the terminal device may be changed according to attributes of the user, such as age and gender. Furthermore, the extraction unit 101 may acquire multiple purposes or symptoms of the user.
[0021] Furthermore, for example, the extraction unit 101 acquires the user's medication history using the user's membership information. The user's medication history may be the user's drug purchase history or prescription history. The user's membership information is information associated with member identification information that identifies the user as a member. The user's membership information may be, for example, the user's attributes such as age and gender. The user's membership information may also be associated with the user's purchase history and prescription history. In this case, the extraction unit 101 may acquire the user's membership information and acquire the drug purchase history or prescription history associated with the user's membership information. A known method such as reading the user's membership code or biometric authentication may be used to acquire the membership information.
[0022] The extraction unit 101 may also acquire medications currently being taken by the user from the user's medication history. For example, the extraction unit 101 may identify medications currently being taken based on the amount of medication purchased and the dosage and method of use of the medication from the user's medication purchase history and prescription history. For example, the extraction unit 101 may identify a five-day supply of medication prescribed three days ago and included in the prescription history as medications currently being taken. For example, the extraction unit 101 may identify a five-day supply of medication prescribed 10 days ago and included in the prescription history as medications not currently being taken.
[0023] The extraction unit 101 may acquire the user's medication history through an input operation by the user on the terminal device. For example, the extraction unit 101 may acquire, as the medication history, a medication selected from a selection of medications displayed on the terminal device. In this case, the selection of medications may be medications included in the purchase history and prescription history, or all medications included in the database. Furthermore, for example, the extraction unit 101 may acquire the medication history by recognizing characters from an image captured of a notebook or the like that records the medication history. In other words, the user's medication history may be acquired through an input operation by the user on the terminal device, without using the purchase history and prescription history associated with the user's membership information.
[0024] Next, an example of a method in which the extraction unit 101 extracts recommended medicines using the user's purpose or symptoms and the user's medication history acquired as described above will be described.
[0025] The extraction unit 101 extracts recommended drugs from the drug database. Recommended drugs are drugs that match the user's purpose or symptoms and are not contraindicated with drugs included in the medication history. That is, the extraction unit 101 extracts from the drug database drugs that match the user's purpose or symptoms and can be used in combination with drugs included in the medication history. Specifically, the extraction unit 101 extracts, from the drug database, drug information on drugs that match the user's purpose or symptoms and are not contraindicated with drugs included in the medication history, as drug information on recommended drugs. The drug information items to be extracted may be any information that the user uses to select drugs, and may be determined appropriately.
[0026] Here, the drug database is a database that stores drug information, which is information on each drug. The drug database may be a storage device provided inside the drug selection support device 100, or a storage device provided outside the drug selection support device 100 and communicably connected thereto.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows an example of pharmaceutical information. Pharmaceutical information includes, for example, the name of the pharmaceutical, the manufacturer that produces the pharmaceutical, the pharmaceutical effect, dosage and administration indicating the appropriate way to take the pharmaceutical, contraindication information indicating contraindications for the pharmaceutical, and pharmaceutical classification. Pharmaceutical effect relates to the purpose or symptoms that the pharmaceutical is intended to treat. Contraindication information indicating contraindications for the pharmaceutical is information indicating conditions in which the pharmaceutical should not be taken and pharmaceuticals that should not be used in combination with the pharmaceutical. Pharmaceutical classification is based on the risks of side effects and other factors. Depending on the classification of pharmaceuticals, the way pharmaceuticals are managed at stores that sell them and the procedures required when purchasing them vary.
[0028] The pharmaceutical information is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3. For example, the pharmaceutical information may include the side effects of the pharmaceutical, the dosage form of the pharmaceutical, the amount of the content of the pharmaceutical, the price of the pharmaceutical, an image of the pharmaceutical package, and the product identification number of the pharmaceutical. The amount of the content may be indicated by the number of times the pharmaceutical can be taken or the number of days the pharmaceutical can be taken. Furthermore, for example, the pharmaceutical information may be divided into multiple databases.
[0029] For example, if contraindication information is included in a contraindication information database separate from the drug database, the extraction unit 101 first extracts drugs that are compatible with the user's purpose or symptoms from the drug database. Next, the extraction unit 101 refers to the contraindication information database and excludes drugs that are contraindicated with the user's medication history and the extracted drugs from the drug database.
[0030] The pharmaceutical information stored in the pharmaceutical database may be pharmaceutical information for pharmaceuticals handled by a store or a company that includes multiple stores. In this case, the pharmaceutical database may include inventory information indicating the inventory in the store and sales floor information indicating the location of the sales floor in the store. The inventory information and sales floor information may also be included in separate databases.
[0031] The extraction unit 101 may extract multiple recommended drugs. Also, the extraction unit 101 may extract a combination of multiple drugs as recommended drugs. In this case, it is sufficient if information indicating a combination of drugs that are compatible with each other is included in the drug database.
[0032] Next, the determination unit 102 is an example of a determination means for determining whether a recommended drug includes a drug requiring a pharmacist's assistance when purchasing. The determination unit 102 determines whether the information indicated in the drug classification among the drug information of the recommended drug is a drug requiring a pharmacist's assistance.
[0033] Here, a "drug requiring special treatment" is a drug that requires a pharmacist to provide guidance or information regarding the use of the drug when purchasing it, due to the risk of taking the drug. A drug requiring special treatment is, for example, a drug that is stipulated by law as requiring some kind of treatment from a pharmacist or other seller when purchasing the drug. For example, a drug requiring special treatment is a Category 1 drug.
[0034] When the pharmaceutical information includes information indicating whether or not the pharmaceutical requires a corresponding drug, the determination unit 102 may determine whether or not the pharmaceutical requires a corresponding drug based on the information indicating whether or not the pharmaceutical requires a corresponding drug.
[0035] Next, the output unit 103 is an example of an output means for outputting information related to recommended drugs. For example, the output unit 103 may output drug information as information related to recommended drugs to a display unit of a terminal device used by the user. When the drug selection support device 100 is realized by a server, the output unit 103 is communicatively connected and transmits information related to recommended drugs to the terminal device used by the user so that it can be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. Furthermore, when the drug selection support device 100 is realized by a terminal device, the output unit 103 displays information related to recommended drugs on a display unit provided in the terminal device.
[0036] When there are multiple recommended drugs, the output unit 103 may output information about the multiple recommended drugs. When there are multiple recommended drugs, the output unit 103 may output some of the multiple recommended drugs. In this case, for example, the output unit 103 may output, among the multiple recommended drugs, drugs that the user has purchased in the past, drugs recommended in advance by a store, etc., etc. Furthermore, when there are multiple recommended drugs, the output unit 103 may output, among the recommended drugs, drugs that the user has purchased in the past, drugs recommended in advance by a store, etc., in a prominent manner as information to support the user's drug selection. Furthermore, when there are multiple recommended drugs, the output unit 103 may output information about the recommended drugs in a predetermined order, such as in order of recommendation, popularity, or price. In this case, the output unit 103 may output information about the multiple recommended drugs in a predetermined order. Furthermore, the output unit 103 may output information about the multiple recommended drugs in an order selected in advance by the user. Furthermore, the output unit 103 may change the order of selection by the user and output the information about the multiple recommended drugs. By outputting the information in this manner, it becomes easier for the user to select a medicine to purchase from a plurality of recommended medicines.
[0037] Furthermore, when the determination unit 102 determines that the recommended drugs include drugs requiring special treatment, the output unit 103 outputs pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response. The pharmacist response information is information indicating that a pharmacist's response is required when purchasing a drug requiring special treatment. The information indicating that a pharmacist's response is required when purchasing a drug requiring special treatment may include information for initiating the pharmacist's response required when purchasing a drug requiring special treatment. Here, the pharmacist's response may be, for example, providing information about the drug or guidance on taking the drug. The pharmacist's response may also include consultation with the pharmacist regarding the drug. The pharmacist's response may be through an interview, provision of materials, or the like.
[0038] The information indicating that a pharmacist's intervention is required when purchasing a medicine requiring intervention may be information indicating the classification of the medicine and information indicating the necessary pharmacist's intervention.
[0039] The information required to initiate a pharmacist's response when purchasing a drug requiring special care may be displayed information such as a button for starting the provision of drug-related information or a button for starting an interview with a pharmacist. For example, when a button for starting the provision of drug-related information is pressed on a terminal device, the terminal device may start providing information by displaying a screen, printing materials, or outputting audio. The content of the information provided may be determined in advance as appropriate depending on the drug. Furthermore, for example, when a button for starting an interview with a pharmacist is pressed, an online interview may be conducted using an internal or external system. An external system is an external system that provides online conferences and calls. When an online interview is conducted using an external system, the output unit 103 may, for example, conduct an online interview using an internal system, as will be described in the second embodiment. Furthermore, when a button for starting an interview with a pharmacist is pressed on a terminal device at a physical store, a pharmacist may be called. For example, when a button for starting an interview with a pharmacist is pressed, the output unit 103 outputs a call notification to the pharmacist's terminal device. Also, for example, when a button to start an interview with a pharmacist is pressed, the output unit 103 may output an instruction to make a call broadcast to an in-store broadcast system in a physical store.
[0040] The information for starting a consultation with a pharmacist may also be information for making an appointment with a pharmacist. For example, the output unit 103 may use the pharmacist's response status and work schedule to output options for times to make an appointment with a pharmacist to a terminal device used by the user. The information for making an appointment with a pharmacist may also be information for accepting appointments for a turn.
[0041] A pharmacist consultation is a meeting between a user and a pharmacist. The consultation can be in person or online. During the consultation with the pharmacist, the user can discuss the medication to be purchased, receive information necessary for purchasing a drug requiring special treatment, or receive guidance necessary for purchasing a drug requiring special treatment.
[0042] When the pharmacist's response regarding the medicine requiring special attention has been completed, the output unit 103 may output purchase availability information indicating that the user can purchase the medicine requiring special attention. The purchase availability information includes information regarding the medicine requiring special attention that has become available for purchase due to the completion of the pharmacist's response. The purchase availability information may also include information indicating the number of medicine requiring special attention that has become available for purchase. The purchase availability information includes information identifying the user. Alternatively, the purchase availability information may be associated with information identifying the user.
[0043] Completion of the pharmacist's response regarding the drug requiring special attention may be detected by information input by the pharmacist, for example. For example, a terminal device used by the pharmacist may transmit information indicating completion of the pharmacist's response to the drug selection support device 100 when a button indicating completion of the response regarding the drug requiring special attention is pressed. When the drug selection support device 100 receives information indicating completion of the pharmacist's response, the output unit 103 may detect that the pharmacist's response regarding the drug requiring special attention has been completed. Furthermore, for example, when information provision is completed on a terminal device used by a user, the output unit 103 may detect that the pharmacist's response regarding the drug requiring special attention has been completed. Completion of information provision may be when the content of the information provided on the screen has been viewed to the end, when printing of materials has been completed, or when audio output has been completed.
[0044] For example, the output unit 103 may output purchase availability information indicating that the user is able to purchase the corresponding drug to a payment device at a store where the user purchases the corresponding drug. In this case, the purchase availability information includes information such as membership information and biometric authentication information that identify the user. The output unit 103 may output purchase availability information including membership information that identifies the user, obtained by reading a code indicating membership identification information or by the user entering membership information. The output unit 103 may also output purchase availability information including biometric authentication information that identifies the user, obtained by taking a photo of the user's face or detecting the user's fingerprint. The payment device may be configured to enable payment if the user and the corresponding drug to be purchased are appropriate based on the purchase availability information. The payment device may also be configured to disable payment if the user and the corresponding drug to be purchased are inappropriate based on the purchase availability information.
[0045] Furthermore, for example, the output unit 103 may output the purchase availability information in association with the user's membership information. In this case, the payment device may acquire the user's membership information and perform payment for the countermeasure-requiring drug based on the purchase availability information associated with the user's membership information. That is, for example, the payment device may perform payment for the countermeasure-requiring drug if the purchase availability information associated with the user's membership information includes information indicating that the purchase of the countermeasure-requiring drug is permitted. Furthermore, for example, if the purchase availability information associated with the user's membership information does not include information indicating that the purchase of the countermeasure-requiring drug is permitted, the payment device may not perform payment for the countermeasure-requiring drug and may output information encouraging an appointment with a pharmacist. The output unit 103 may change the output regarding the countermeasure-requiring drug depending on whether a pharmacist is available. For example, the output unit 103 may output information indicating whether the countermeasure-requiring drug can be sold depending on whether a pharmacist is available. Whether a pharmacist is available may be detected based on information input by the pharmacist, or may be preset for each hour based on information indicating the pharmacist's work schedule. The information indicating the pharmacist's work schedule may be registered in advance, for example. Alternatively, the availability of a pharmacist may be detected based on information indicating whether the pharmacist is currently assisting another user, i.e., whether the pharmacist is currently conducting another online interview.
[0046] For example, when a pharmacist is unavailable, the output unit 103 may output the recommended drugs excluding the drug requiring special treatment. Furthermore, when a pharmacist is unavailable, the output unit 103 may output, in addition to information about the recommended drugs, information indicating that the drug requiring special treatment cannot be purchased. The information indicating that the drug requiring special treatment cannot be purchased may include information indicating the time period during which the drug can be purchased.
[0047] So far, we have explained the output contents of the output unit 103 when the recommended drugs include drugs requiring special treatment, but even if the recommended drugs do not include drugs requiring special treatment, the output unit 103 may output information indicating that an interview with a pharmacist is available or information for starting an interview with a pharmacist. Furthermore, if the recommended drugs do not include drugs requiring special treatment, the output unit 103 may output information for starting an interview with a registered salesperson instead of a pharmacist.
[0048] Furthermore, the output unit 103 may further output information about drugs that are suitable for the user's purpose or symptoms but are contraindicated as information about recommended drugs, thereby alerting the user not to take contraindicated drugs.
[0049] 4 and 5 are examples of output screens by the output unit 103. FIG.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows information used to extract recommended drugs, including a membership number and member name identifying the user, the purpose or symptom entered by the user ("cough, runny nose, hay fever"), and "AAA, BBB, CCC" indicating the medication the user is currently taking. FIG. 4 also shows information about recommended drugs, including the name, active ingredient, effect, volume, price, sales area, and drug classification of the recommended drug. FIG. 4 also shows that the recommended drugs are sorted by "popularity." When "popularity" is selected, the output unit 103 may output other sorting options and change the order of the recommended drugs to the selected order. FIG. 4 also includes a purchase button for each recommended drug. If the recommended drug is a Category 1 drug, the purchase button may be a button to proceed to a pharmacist's information provision service, which is required for purchase, and to purchase the drug. If the recommended drug is a prescription-only drug, the purchase button may be a button to proceed to a pharmacist's consultation service, which is required for purchase. In other words, the purchase button may be a button to start a pharmacist's consultation.
[0051] Figure 5 shows an example of an output screen for information about recommended drugs when a pharmacist is unavailable. Figure 5 includes information indicating that a pharmacist is unavailable for a prescription-required drug and that the drug cannot be purchased due to the pharmacist's unavailability. Figure 5 also includes a button for scheduling an appointment for the prescription-required drug.
[0052] It should be noted that the output screens from the output unit 103 are not limited to these examples.
[0053] An example of the operation of the drug selection support device 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, first, the extraction unit 101 extracts recommended medicines to be recommended to the user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and medicine contraindication information (step S101).
[0055] Next, the determination unit 102 determines whether or not the recommended medicines extracted in step S101 include medicines requiring support (step S102).
[0056] In step S102, if it is determined that the recommended medicines do not include medicines requiring support (step S102: No), the output unit 103 displays information about the recommended medicines on the display unit of the terminal device used by the user (step S103).
[0057] In step S102, if it is determined that the recommended medicines include medicines requiring special treatment (step S102: Yes), the output unit 103 displays information about the recommended medicines and pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response on the display unit of the terminal device used by the user (step S104).
[0058] This completes the series of operations of the drug selection support device 100. The display on the display unit in steps S103 and S104 may be terminated by a user operation such as selecting an end button. The display on the display unit in steps S103 and S104 may be terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the display.
[0059] In the drug selection support device of the present embodiment described above, the determination unit determines whether the recommended drugs extracted based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information include drugs requiring special consideration. If drugs requiring special consideration are included, the output unit outputs pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response in addition to information about the recommended drugs.
[0060] As a result, the drug selection support device in this embodiment can support the selection of drugs, including drugs that require the assistance of a pharmacist.
[0061] In particular, even if a drug requiring special attention is recommended based on a purpose or symptom, the user cannot purchase it without the assistance of a pharmacist. Furthermore, special attention is often placed at the back of the counter used by store clerks and pharmacists, making it difficult for users to see and select a drug. Furthermore, there are many types of drugs, including special attention, making it difficult for users with little knowledge of drugs to select a drug. In contrast, the drug selection support device of this embodiment has an output unit that outputs pharmacist assistance information regarding the pharmacist's response when a drug requiring special attention is included in the recommended drugs. This allows the user to select a drug they wish to purchase from the recommended drugs, taking into account the need for a pharmacist's assistance.
[0062] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Below, the description of the second embodiment will be omitted to the extent that it does not make the description of the present embodiment unclear.
[0063] 7 is a diagram showing a usage scene of the drug selection support device 200 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a process for a user to meet with a pharmacist and receive a drug requiring support selected by the user will be described.
[0064] 7 , the drug selection support device 200 is communicatively connected to the drug storage shelf 20. The drug storage shelf 20 includes storage sections A, B, and C that store drugs by type. The number of drug storage shelves communicatively connected to the drug selection support device 200 and the number of storage sections included in the drug storage shelf 20 are not limited to the example in FIG. 7 .
[0065] The medicine storage shelf 20 is installed, for example, in a physical store. The medicine storage shelf 20 may also be a delivery box installed in a facility such as a station. Storage sections A, B, and C provided in the medicine storage shelf 20 each store medicines in a lockable manner. Storage sections A, B, and C provided in the medicine storage shelf 20 store at least medicines requiring special attention. Storage sections A, B, and C storing medicines requiring special attention are locked to prevent the medicines from being taken by users who are not eligible to purchase them. Storage sections A, B, and C storing medicines requiring special attention are set to be unlockable by users who have completed the pharmacist's processing. Note that storage sections A, B, and C may be set to be unlockable by a manager of the stored medicines, staff stocking the shelves, pharmacists, etc.
[0066] The medicine storage shelf 20 also includes an input unit through which a user inputs information for unlocking the storage unit. The input unit may be, for example, a scanner or camera that reads a code indicating the user's membership information, or an input device that inputs a password set by the user or the user's biometric authentication information.
[0067] The storage sections A, B, and C provided in the medicine storage shelf 20 installed in the physical store may each store medicines by type. In this case, by storing medicines by type in each of the storage sections A, B, and C, the user can pick up and purchase only medicines of the type that have become available for purchase after the pharmacist has completed the process. In other words, by storing medicines by type in the storage sections A, B, and C, the user can be prevented from picking up and purchasing medicines that require special care but have not yet been processed by the pharmacist. In this case, the user can unlock the storage section after the pharmacist has completed the process, pick up the medicines that require special care that have become available for purchase, and purchase them by paying for them using the payment device at the physical store.
[0068] Furthermore, storage sections A, B, and C provided in medicine storage shelves 20 installed in facilities such as stations may store the medicines requiring special treatment that have become available for purchase by users in the number that they can purchase. In this case, users can only receive medicines requiring special treatment that they have paid for in advance at an online store or the like.
[0069] The medicine storage shelf 20 may also include a payment unit for making payments for medicines.
[0070] Next, the configuration of the drug selection support device 200 in the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0071] 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drug selection support device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. A drug selection support device 200 of the second embodiment includes a connection unit 204 and a setting unit 205 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.
[0072] The connection unit 204 is an example of a connection means that controls the connection between the terminal device used by the user and the terminal device used by the pharmacist when the user selects to start an interview with a pharmacist. When the drug selection support device 200 is a server, the connection unit 204 connects the terminal device used by the user and the terminal device used by the pharmacist, and inputs and outputs at least one of image and audio information to and from each terminal device. When the drug selection support device 200 is a terminal device, the connection unit 204 is communicatively connected to the terminal device used by the pharmacist and inputs and outputs image and audio information to and from the terminal device. The connection unit 204 realizes an online interview by exchanging video and audio information acquired by the terminal device connected to the terminal device used by the pharmacist. The connection unit 204 may detect that the user has selected to start an interview with a pharmacist by pressing a start interview button included in a display screen of information about recommended drugs displayed on the user's terminal device.
[0073] FIG. 9 is an example of a consultation screen with a pharmacist displayed on a terminal device used by a user. The consultation screen with a pharmacist includes an image of the pharmacist conducting the consultation. The consultation screen may also include information such as the name of the corresponding pharmacist, information identifying the user as a member, the user's purpose or symptoms, medications the user is taking, and information about recommended medications. The consultation screen may also include buttons for purchasing each recommended medication. The buttons for purchasing each recommended medication may also be buttons for outputting a desire to purchase to the pharmacist.
[0074] FIG. 10 is an example of a consultation screen with a user displayed on a terminal device used by a pharmacist. The consultation screen with a user includes an image of the user conducting the consultation. The consultation screen may also include information such as information identifying the user as a member, the user's purpose or symptoms and the medications the user is taking, information about recommended medications, and the name of the corresponding pharmacist. The consultation screen may also include a button for permitting the purchase of a medication requiring special treatment among the recommended medications. The button for permitting the purchase of a medication requiring special treatment may be a button for notifying the user that the pharmacist's necessary treatment for purchasing the medication requiring special treatment has been completed.
[0075] The interview screens on the user side and the pharmacist side are not limited to these examples.
[0076] Next, the setting unit 205 is an example of a setting means that, when the pharmacist's response regarding the medicine requiring special treatment is completed, sets the storage unit containing the medicine requiring special treatment that the user wishes to purchase to be unlocked by the user. As described in the first embodiment, the setting unit 205 detects that the pharmacist's response regarding the medicine requiring special treatment has been completed. For example, the setting unit 205 may detect that the pharmacist's response regarding the medicine requiring special treatment has been completed by completing the online interview realized by the connection unit 204 and acquiring the user's purchase availability information entered by the pharmacist.
[0077] The setting unit 205 then sets a storage unit that stores the corresponding medicine that the user wishes to purchase and that has become available for purchase by the user so that the user can unlock it. For example, the setting unit 205 acquires at least one of the user's membership information, password information set by the user, and biometric authentication information of the user. The setting unit 205 then sets the corresponding storage unit so that it can be unlocked when the acquired information is entered.
[0078] An example of the operation of the drug selection support device 200 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 11, first, recommended medicines to be recommended to the user are extracted based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information for medicines (step S201).
[0080] Next, the determination unit 102 determines whether or not the recommended medicines extracted in step S201 include medicines requiring support (step S202).
[0081] If it is determined in step S202 that the recommended drugs do not include drugs requiring support (step S202: No), the output unit 103 displays information about the recommended drugs on the display unit of the terminal device used by the user (step S203). At this point, the drug selection support device 200 may end the series of processes.
[0082] In step S202, if it is determined that the recommended drugs include drugs requiring special treatment (step S202: Yes), the output unit 103 displays information about the recommended drugs and pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response on the display unit of the terminal device used by the user (step S204).
[0083] The terminal device used by the user accepts an operation to have the pharmacist included in the pharmacist response information respond on the display screen output in step S204 (step S205). If the terminal device does not accept an operation to have the pharmacist included in the pharmacist response information respond on the display screen output in step S204 (step S205: No), the drug selection support device 200 may end the series of processes.
[0084] If the user selects on the display screen output in step S204 that the pharmacist included in the pharmacist response information respond (step S205: Yes), the pharmacist responds (step S206). For example, the output unit 103 outputs the content of the information provided according to the drug requiring response. Also, for example, the connection unit 204 connects to the terminal device used by the pharmacist, and the user and the pharmacist have an interview.
[0085] The terminal device used by the pharmacist or the terminal device used by the user accepts an operation indicating that the pharmacist has taken the necessary steps when purchasing the medicine requiring special treatment (step S207). If the terminal device does not accept an operation indicating that the pharmacist has taken the necessary steps when purchasing the medicine requiring special treatment (step S207: No), the medicine selection support device 200 may end the series of processes.
[0086] In step S207, if an operation is performed by the pharmacist indicating that the necessary measures have been taken when purchasing a drug requiring special treatment (step S207: Yes), the setting unit 205 sets the storage section of the drug storage shelf where the drug requiring special treatment that the user has become able to purchase to be unlocked by the user (step S208).
[0087] This completes the series of operations of the drug selection support device 200.
[0088] In the drug selection support device of the present embodiment described above, the determination unit determines whether the recommended drugs extracted based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information include drugs requiring special consideration. If drugs requiring special consideration are included, the output unit outputs pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response in addition to information about the recommended drugs.
[0089] As a result, the drug selection support device in this embodiment can support the selection of drugs, including drugs that require the assistance of a pharmacist.
[0090] Furthermore, in the drug selection support device of this embodiment, when the user selects to start an interview with a pharmacist, the connection unit 204 connects to the terminal device used by the pharmacist. As a result, the drug selection support device of this embodiment can enable the user to purchase drugs requiring special treatment after the pharmacist has responded. Furthermore, the drug selection support device of this embodiment can support the user in selecting drugs, including drugs requiring special treatment, after consulting with the pharmacist.
[0091] Furthermore, in the drug selection support device of this embodiment, when the pharmacist has completed the action on the drug requiring special treatment, the setting unit sets the storage unit that stores the drug requiring special treatment that the user wishes to purchase in the drug shelf that stores the drug requiring special treatment in lockable storage units by type so that the storage unit can be unlocked by the user. As a result, the drug selection support device of this embodiment makes it possible to reliably provide the user with the drug that has been specially treated by the pharmacist.
[0092] [Modifications] Various modifications are possible for the drug selection support device in each embodiment. For example, the drug selection support device in each embodiment may be modified as follows.
[0093] For example, the extraction unit 101 may acquire information indicating foods included in the user's purchase history in addition to the user's medication history. Furthermore, the extraction unit 101 may acquire information indicating health foods included in the user's purchase history in addition to the user's medication history. Health foods are foods that are not pharmaceuticals but are used to maintain or improve health. For example, health foods may be supplements or foods for specified health uses that are scientifically recognized as being useful for maintaining and improving health.
[0094] Foods and health foods may include those that are contraindicated for or incompatible with medicines. An incompatible food may, for example, reduce the effectiveness of a medicine. The extraction unit 101 may extract recommended medicines to the user based on information indicating foods or health foods included in the user's purchase history. In this case, the medicine database may include information indicating foods or health foods that are incompatible with each medicine.
[0095] Alternatively, the output unit 103 may output to the user information indicating foods included in the user's purchase history or information indicating health foods included in the user's purchase history that are contraindicated for recommended medicines or that are incompatible with recommended medicines.
[0096] Furthermore, for example, the extraction unit 101 may extract recommended products related to the user's purpose or symptoms. In this case, the output unit 103 may output information about recommended products related to the user's purpose or symptoms in addition to information about recommended medicines. In this case, the extraction unit 101 may extract recommended products related to the user's purpose or symptoms using information in which recommended products are associated with the purpose or symptoms.
[0097] [Hardware Configuration] Some or all of the components of each device or system in each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are realized by any combination of an information processing device 1000 and a program, for example, as shown in Fig. 15. The information processing device 1000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.
[0098] - CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1001 - ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 - RAM (Random Access Memory) 1003 - Program 1004 loaded into RAM 1003 - Storage device 1005 for storing program 1004 - Drive device 1007 for reading and writing from and to recording medium 1006 - Communication I / F 1008 for connecting to communication network 1009 - Input / output I / F 1010 for inputting and outputting data - Bus 1011 for connecting each component. Note that I / F is an abbreviation for Interface.
[0099] Each component of each device or system in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 1001 acquiring and executing a program that realizes the function of that component. The program that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in the storage device 1005 or RAM 1003 in advance, for example, and is read by the CPU 1001 as needed. The program 1004 may be supplied to the CPU 1001 via a communication network, or may be stored in the recording medium 1006 in advance, and the drive device 1007 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 1001.
[0100] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device or system may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 1000 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 1000 and a program.
[0101] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device or system may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits (circuitry) including a processor or the like, or a combination of these. Examples of the circuits include a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Examples of the LSI include an LSI dedicated to AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing. These may be configured by a single chip or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-described circuits and a program.
[0102] When some or all of the components of each device or system are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in which they are connected via a communication network.
[0103] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.
[0104] For example, the drug selection support device may be modified to include some of the configuration of the drug selection support device 200 of the second embodiment. That is, the drug selection support device may be modified to include the drug selection support device 100 of the first embodiment and a connection unit 204, or the drug selection support device 100 of the first embodiment and a setting unit 205.
[0105] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a sequential order in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the order of the operations may be changed as long as it does not affect the content.
[0106] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Drug selection support device 101 Extraction unit 102 Determination unit 103 Output unit 20 Drug storage shelf 200 Drug selection support device 204 Connection unit 205 Setting unit 1000 Information processing device 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Program 1005 Storage device 1006 Recording medium 1007 Drive device 1008 Communication I / F 1009 Communication network 1010 Input / output I / F 1011 Bus
Claims
1. an extraction means for extracting recommended medicines to be recommended to the user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information indicating contraindications for medicines; A determination means for determining whether a medicine requiring a pharmacist's assistance when purchasing is included in the recommended medicines; an output means for outputting information about the recommended drug, The output means outputs pharmacist response information regarding a response by a pharmacist when the determination means determines that the recommended medicines include the medicine requiring response. Drug selection support device.
2. The pharmacist response information includes an indication for starting the response. The drug selection support device according to claim 1 .
3. When the determination means determines that the recommended medicine includes the medicine requiring special treatment, the output means outputs information indicating whether the medicine requiring special treatment included in the recommended medicine can be sold or not depending on whether a pharmacist is available to handle the case. The drug selection support device according to claim 1 .
4. When the pharmacist is unable to respond, the output means outputs information indicating that the corresponding drug included in the recommended drug cannot be sold. The drug selection support device according to claim 3.
5. The system further includes a connection unit that controls a connection between a terminal device used by the user and a terminal device used by a pharmacist when the user selects to start an interview with a pharmacist. The drug selection support device according to claim 1 .
6. When the output means detects that the pharmacist's response regarding the special medicine has been completed, the output means outputs purchase availability information indicating that the user can purchase the special medicine to a payment device of a store where the user purchases the special medicine. The drug selection support device according to claim 1 .
7. The purchase availability information includes information indicating the number of the corresponding medicines that the user can purchase. The drug selection support device according to claim 6.
8. A setting means for setting a storage unit in a medicine shelf that stores the medicines requiring special treatment in lockable storage units by type so that the storage unit in which the medicine requiring special treatment that the user wishes to purchase is stored can be unlocked by the user when the pharmacist has completed the treatment for the medicine requiring special treatment by the user. The drug selection support device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
9. The computer extracting recommended medicines to be recommended to the user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information indicating contraindications to medicines; Determine whether the recommended medicines include medicines that require the assistance of a pharmacist when purchasing them; outputting information about the recommended drug; If it is determined that the recommended medicine includes the medicine requiring a response, pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response is output. Drug selection support methods.
10. extracting recommended medicines to be recommended to the user based on the user's purpose or symptoms, the user's medication history, and contraindication information indicating contraindications to medicines; Determine whether the recommended medicines include medicines that require the assistance of a pharmacist when purchasing them; outputting information about the recommended drug; If it is determined that the recommended medicine includes the medicine requiring a response, pharmacist response information regarding the pharmacist's response is output. A drug selection support program that executes processing on a computer.