Drug Pricing User Interface for Prescription-Free Price Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional price look-up solutions do not provide co-pay prices for prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, limiting patients' ability to compare prices and make informed decisions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows access to multi-tiered prescription drug pricing information, including cash, co-pay, and membership prices, without a valid prescription, by bypassing the need for prescriber information through a database schema and processor configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional price look-up solutions require a prescription to access prescription drug pricing information, then pharmacy security and authorization requirements are maintained, but patients cannot compare prices or make informed decisions about prescription drugs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the prescription verification process by creating separate access paths: one for patients seeking pricing information (without prescription) and another for actual prescription fulfillment (with prescription). The server divides the information retrieval function from the authorization function, allowing pricing data to be accessed independently of prescription validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between the patient's electronic device and the pharmacy database. It receives pricing requests, determines whether prescription information is available, and selectively retrieves pricing data from the database management module. This intermediary layer enables pricing access without requiring direct prescription verification between patient and pharmacy systems.
2Ease of operation
If pharmacies require prescription information to access drug pricing, then drug safety and proper authorization are ensured, but patients experience inconvenience and loss of time in price comparison
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pricing information retrieval before prescription verification is complete. When a patient initiates a pricing request, the server immediately attempts to retrieve pricing data without waiting for prescription validation. If pricing information is available in the database, it is provided to the patient right away, eliminating the need to wait for prescription processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a partial verification process for pricing inquiries compared to full prescription processing. Instead of requiring complete prescription validation, the server performs a simplified check to determine if pricing data exists in the database, providing sufficient information for price comparison without the full overhead of prescription verification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides pricing information without prescriptions, then patient accessibility and informed decision-making are improved, but database security and authorization protocols are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its authorization requirements based on the type of request. For pricing inquiries, the server implements a flexible authorization model that allows access without prescription information when pricing data is available. For actual prescription fulfillment, the system maintains strict authorization protocols requiring valid prescription verification. This dynamic approach balances accessibility with security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different authorization rules to different data access scenarios. Pricing information retrieval uses relaxed authorization (no prescription required), while prescription fulfillment uses strict authorization (prescription required). The database management module implements location-specific or context-specific access control, allowing pricing data to be accessed by any authenticated user while maintaining security for prescription processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems disclosed to provide drug pricing information for display on a graphical user interface (GUI). The methods and systems may receive an electronic request that includes a first set of information that identifies a user, identifies a plurality of different pharmacy locations, and a prescription drug and omits a second set of information corresponding to a prescription for the prescription drug. The first set of information is transmitted to a database management module to access drug pricing information for the prescription drug for each of the pharmacy locations. The module compares the drug pricing information for each of the pharmacy locations, determines a potential savings based on comparing the prescription drug price between each of the pharmacy locations, and identifies the pharmacy location having the lowest price for the prescription drug and the potential savings for display via the GUI executing on the electronic device.