Pharmacy Order Routing System for Manual and Automated Fulfillment

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-volume pharmacies face inefficiencies in manually fulfilling prescription orders, as multiple prescription drugs often require manual handling across different sections, leading to increased operational complexity and potential errors.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an order processing device that communicates with a benefit manager device and various other devices, including automated dispensing and manual fulfillment units, to track and manage prescription orders, make routing decisions, and consolidate orders for efficient fulfillment and shipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual handling is used to fulfill prescription orders across different sections, then flexibility in handling diverse prescription requirements is improved, but operational complexity and potential errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handling diverse prescription requirementsVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the fulfillment process into distinct sections (automated dispensing section and manual fulfillment section) that handle different types of prescriptions. The order processing device routes orders to appropriate sections based on their characteristics, allowing each section to specialize in specific tasks while maintaining overall system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The order processing device acts as an intermediary that receives prescription orders, determines the appropriate fulfillment method (automated or manual), and routes orders to the correct section. This intermediary coordination reduces operational complexity by centralizing decision-making while preserving the flexibility of multiple fulfillment approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual handling is used across different sections, then ability to handle complex prescription requirements is improved, but potential errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle complex prescription requirementsVSAvoidpotential errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting prescriptions into those suitable for automated dispensing and those requiring manual fulfillment, the system applies the most reliable method to each case. Automated sections handle routine, low-error-risk orders, while manual sections handle complex cases requiring human judgment, optimizing both reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The order processing device uses feedback from prescription characteristics to dynamically route orders to appropriate fulfillment sections. This feedback mechanism ensures that orders with higher error potential are directed to manual review, while routine orders use automated processes, thereby minimizing overall errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automated systems are used to process and fulfill prescriptions, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to handle diverse prescription requirements may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidability to handle diverse prescription requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal fulfillment platform that incorporates both automated and manual sections, allowing it to handle diverse prescription requirements through multiple pathways. The order processing device universally routes any prescription type to the most appropriate section, combining the productivity of automation with the adaptability of manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the fulfillment approach based on prescription characteristics. The order processing device evaluates each order and dynamically routes it to either automated or manual sections, allowing the system to optimize productivity for routine orders while maintaining adaptability for complex cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If multiple sections are used to fulfill different prescription drugs, then specialization is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecialization efficiencyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The order processing device serves as a central intermediary that manages the complexity of coordinating multiple specialized sections. It receives all prescription orders, determines the appropriate section based on specialization requirements, and routes orders accordingly, allowing each section to maintain specialization efficiency while the intermediary handles the coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10987279B2Systems and methods for manual countables

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 EXPRESS SCRIPTS STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for manually filling a prescription order. A manual fill device may be incorporated into a manual fill center of a pharmacy operated by one or more pharmacists and/or pharmacist technicians to manually fill certain prescription containers. The manual fill device may include a control unit which may operate at the direction of the order processing device. The manual fill device may also include a distribution section automating distribution of containers for manual fulfillment, and a manual section in which a pharmacist may utilize available pharmaceuticals to manually fill orders.