Inventory Estimation via Distribution Data for Pharmacy Stock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients often face delays in receiving prescription medications due to pharmacies being out of stock, leading to health risks and inefficiencies in prescription fulfillment, as existing systems lack real-time inventory information and rely on multiple transactions before finding a suitable pharmacy.

Innovation Solution

A system that estimates inventory levels at pharmacies using distribution data, allowing prescriber computers to request estimated inventory information and identify alternative pharmacies with sufficient stock, even without direct access to actual inventory levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pharmacies do not share real-time inventory information with prescribers, then pharmacy system simplicity is maintained, but prescription fulfillment efficiency deteriorates due to multiple trial submissions and patient delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprescription fulfillment efficiencyVSAvoidinventory information availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a service provider computer as an intermediary that receives distribution data from pharmacies and transforms it into estimated inventory information. This mediator enables prescriber computers to access inventory estimates without requiring direct real-time connections to pharmacy systems, thus maintaining pharmacy simplicity while improving fulfillment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary estimation of inventory levels using distribution data before prescription submission. By calculating estimated inventory in advance based on historical distribution patterns, the system allows prescribers to make informed decisions about which pharmacies to submit to, reducing failed submissions and improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If prescribers submit multiple prescription transactions to different pharmacies until one is fulfilled, then inventory uncertainty is addressed, but time loss increases due to repeated cancellations and resubmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprescription fulfillment reliabilityVSAvoidtime for cancelled and resubmitted orders

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary inventory estimation before prescription submission by analyzing distribution data. This advance information allows prescribers to select pharmacies with higher probability of having stock, thereby reducing the need for cancellations and resubmissions and saving time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to prescribers in the form of estimated inventory information based on distribution patterns. This feedback loop enables prescribers to make better-informed decisions about pharmacy selection, improving fulfillment reliability and reducing time loss from failed attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If service provider computers access distribution data to estimate inventory, then inventory information availability improves, but system complexity increases due to data processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory information accessibilityVSAvoidservice provider computer processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service provider computer acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of data processing. It receives distribution data from pharmacies, performs the estimation calculations, and presents simplified inventory estimates to prescribers. This intermediary approach centralizes the processing complexity while keeping the pharmacy and prescriber systems relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates estimated inventory information as a copy or representation of actual inventory status without requiring direct access to pharmacy inventory systems. This estimated copy is sufficient for prescription submission decisions, reducing the need for complex real-time system integrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11113736B1Method, apparatus, and computer program product for estimating inventory based on distribution data

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 MCKESSON CORPORATION

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for estimating inventory based on distribution data. A requesting computer may submit an order request (e.g., benefit request) indicating a product and merchant attributes. Inventory information of the merchant may not be accessible, so inventory information may be estimated based on distribution data relating to the distribution of product to the merchant. Estimates regarding quantities, high or low inventories, and/or the like may be made based on distribution history and/or estimated subsequent distributions. A prescriber computer, such as one used by a physician, may therefore receive estimated inventory information regarding prescription medication at various pharmacies, prior to submitting the prescription to a pharmacy.