AU2020102868A4 - Systems, devices and methods of storing, selling, accessing and dispensing of medicines - Google Patents

Abstract

JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60 Abstract Described are systems, devices and methods of storing, selling, accessing and dispensing medicines. The technology may find particular application in the storage, sale, providing access to and dispensing of controlled substances or unapproved medicines, such as those containing opioids and marijuana extracts 5 and structural analogs thereof, or vaccines. 29 Figure 1B 100- 135 |102 104A 16124 106 1061 11 11118 111 106 16 112A 104C 1 106 104D 114 -- -- -- -- 104E 134/ 128 o 13 2 2/13

Description

Figure 1B

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JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60

SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS OF STORING, SELLING, ACCESSING AND DISPENSING OF MEDICINES

Field of the Technology

The present technology relates to systems, devices and methods of storing, selling, accessing and

dispensing medicines. The present technology may find particular application in the storage, sale,

providing access to and dispensing of controlled substances or unapproved medicines, such as those

containing opioids and marijuana extracts and structural analogs thereof.

Background to the Technology

There are a number of restrictions on handling, sale, providing access to and dispensing of controlled

substances or unapproved medicines. In fact, products which are classified as a controlled substance or

unapproved medicine exist within complex regulatory environments which inhibit patient access to

compounds which could provide health benefits. For example, in many countries, it is not possible for

controlled substances such as unapproved medicines to be held in stock by a dispensary or pharmacy. As

a result, when a patient is prescribed a controlled substance or unapproved medicine, the patient must

take their prescription to a dispensary, and the dispensary must then order the medicine from its supplier

in order to fulfil the prescription. This results in delay between the patient being prescribed a medication

and being able to use that.

This delay can be particularly detrimental to patients who are fundamentally in need of prompt medical

assistance. Any steps which necessitate undue effort or travel for the patient such as multiple trips to the

dispensary are undesirable.

Being unable to store controlled substances or unapproved medicines presents logistical challenges for a

dispensary. For instance, currently when presented with a prescription for a controlled substance the

dispensary must place an order, track the delivery, take ownership and responsibility of the controlled

medicine(s), and secure them until collected by the patient. This typically results in additional cost for

the business in order to provide the controlled medicines, which in turn can result in greater expense for

the patient.

In addition, as these controlled substances or unapproved medicines are not able to be kept in stock,

access and availability of these medicines becomes limited during times of emergency, such as during

natural disasters.

JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60

Objects of the Technology

It is an object of the technology to provide systems, devices and/or methods of storing, selling, accessing

and/or dispensing medicines.

Alternatively, it is an object of the technology to provide systems, devices and/or methods of storing,

selling, accessing and/or dispensing medicines that require refrigeration.

Alternatively, it is an object of the technology to provide systems, devices and/or methods of storing,

selling, accessing and/or dispensing controlled substances or unapproved medicines.

Alternatively, it is an object of the technology to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Definitions

It should be appreciated that reference to medicines, vaccines, controlled substances or unapproved

medicines in the present specification is done by way of example only, and it should be appreciated that

the present technology may find other applications such as the sale, storage, accessing and dispensing of

any substance in which the use, manufacture or possession is in some way regulated or restricted. For

example, the present technology may find application in providing systems, devices and methods for

storing, selling, accessing and dispensing of substances, such as chemicals and volatile agents.

Medicines are substances or compositions that are used to treat or prevent medicine.

Vaccines are substances that are used to stimulate the natural immune system to improve immunity to

disease(s), and are a type of medicine in that they prevent or reduce instances of disease(s). Therefore, it should be understood that reference to the term medicine herein should be understood as including

vaccines.

Controlled substances are chemical compounds the access to which is prohibited or restricted; they often

have strict controls around their storage, production, sale, supply, access and/or use (if such use / access

is permitted at all). However, many medicines can contain at least one controlled substance, and common

examples include morphine, amphetamines and methadone. In New Zealand controlled substances are

regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Similar legislation exists in other countries, such as the

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in the United Kingdom.

Unapproved medicines are medicines for which consent or provisional consent has not been given by the

relevant minister, or has not be through the appropriate regulatory approval process. In some countries,

JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60

these made be known as unregistered medicines. In New Zealand, section 25 of the Medicines Act allows

a doctor to prescribe any medicine irrespective of whether it has regulatory approval in New Zealand.

However, the prescription process requires, inter alia, that the doctor gains the informed consent of the

patient and before the pharmacy can dispense it, they must provide the warehouse with specific

information relating to the prescriber, patient and medicine. This is covered by section 29 of the Medicines

Act. Similar restrictions are known to exist in other countries, as should be appreciated by those skilled in

the art.

Throughout the present specification reference will be made to "dispensaries", this term should be

interpreted in its broadest sense as any business or place where medicines may be dispensed. This could

include pharmacies, medical clinics or hospitals.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the technology, there is provided a system for the storage, sale, access or

dispensing of medicines.

According to a second aspect of the technology, there is provided a device for the storage, sale, access

or dispensing of medicines.

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a method of storing, selling, accessing

or dispensing medicines.

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a system for storing and providing

access to one or more medicines, the system comprising:

a storage device having at least one storage cavity;

a locking mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the at least one storage cavity; and

a controller configured to receive transaction-based information;

wherein, on receipt of the transaction-based information, the controller communicates with one or

more databases to validate the transaction-based information, and upon validation of the transaction

based information, the controller is configured to generate a sales transaction and disengage the locking

mechanism to provide access to the medicine(s).

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a system for the storage of one or

more medicines, the system comprising:

a storage device having at least one storage cavity;

a locking mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the at least one storage cavity; and

JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60

a controller configured to receive transaction-based information;

wherein the controller is configured to communicate with one or more databases to validate the

transaction-based information on receipt of the transaction-based information, and further wherein

the controller is configured to generate a sales transaction upon validation of the transaction-based

information.

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a system for providing access to one

or more medicines, the system comprising:

a storage device having at least one storage cavity;

a locking mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the at least one storage cavity; and

a controller configured to receive transaction-based information;

wherein, on receipt of the transaction-based information, the controller communicates with one or

more databases to validate the transaction-based information, and further wherein

the controller is configured to disengage the locking mechanism to provide access to the medicine(s)

upon validation of the transaction information.

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a device for storing and providing access to one or more medicines, the device comprising:

a storage cavity;

a locking mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the storage cavity; and

a controller configured to receive transaction-based information;

o wherein the controller is configured to communicate with one or more databases to validate the

transaction-based information, and further wherein

the controller is configured to generate a sales transaction and disengage the locking mechanism to

provide access to the medicine(s) upon validation of the transaction-based information.

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a device for securing a storage cavity,

the device comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the storage cavity; and

a controller configured to receive transaction-based information;

wherein the controller is configured to communicate with one or more databases to validate the transaction-based information on receipt of the transaction based information, and further wherein

the controller is configured to generate a sales transaction and disengage the locking mechanism to

provide access to the medicine(s) on validation of the transaction-based information.

JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a device for providing secure storage

of one or more medications, the device comprising:

a first storage cavity;

a second storage cavity;

at least one locking mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the first storage cavity and the

second storage cavity; and

a controller configured to receive transaction-based information and user credentials;

wherein the controller is configured to disengage the at least one locking mechanism to provide access

to the first storage cavity based on validation of the transaction-based information and user credentials,

and the controller is configured to disengage the at least one locking mechanism to provide access to

the second storage cavity based on validation of user credentials.

Preferably, the medicines may include one or more controlled substances or unapproved medicines.

Preferably, the device may comprise more than one storage cavity. For example, the device may include

at least two storage cavities. The use of more than one storage cavity may advantageously allow for

separation of certain medicines in the device.

Preferably, the device may comprise at least one door. In use, the locking mechanism can selectively

allow or prevent the door being moved to allow access to the storage cavity or cavities.

In some embodiments it may be preferable for the device to include a plurality of doors. This may be

particularly advantageous in applications where access is selectively provided to one cavity at a time, i.e.

_0 the user is only provided access to a single medicine.

Preferably the door(s) may include a handle to facilitate opening and closing of the door.

In some embodiments of the technology, the device may comprise a dispensing system. For example,

the device may include a grabbing device such as a claw which is configured to in use facilitate providing

access to the medication. This however should not be seen as limiting on the technology and alternative

dispensing systems may be used such as helical spirals which are rotated to facilitate the dispensing of

the medication. In some embodiments, the dispensing mechanism may facilitate providing a pharmacy

or dispensary with access to the medication. In alternative embodiments of the technology, the

dispensing system may dispense the medication directly to the customer.

Preferably, one or more of the storage cavities are cooled. For example, the device may comprise one or

more cooling units configured to cool one or more of the storage cavities.

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Preferably, the locking mechanism may be configured to secure the one or more doors of the device in

at least one position. For example, the locking mechanism may be configured to selectively secure the

door in the closed position.

Preferably, the locking mechanism may comprise a first locking half and a second locking half.

Preferably, the first locking half may be provided to the housing and the second locking half may be

provided to the door. In alternative embodiments the first locking half may be provided to the door and

the second locking half may be provided to the housing.

Preferably, the locking mechanism may comprise one or more locking elements. For example, the first

and second halves may each include locking elements. Alternatively, only one of the locking halves may

include a locking element, i.e. the first locking half may include a locking element such as a pin or bolt, which is in used configured to be received by an aperture in the second locking half or vice-versa.

Preferably, the first locking half may comprise an actuator configured to move at least one of the locking

elements to bring the locking elements into engagement with each other. The actuator may comprise

electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic or magnetic actuation.

Preferably, the first locking half and / or second locking half may be attached to an internal surface of the housing. This may be particularly advantageous as it may prevent tampering of the locking

mechanism in use. In alternative embodiments, the first locking half and / or second locking half may be

attached to an external surface of the housing.

Preferably, the controller may be operatively connected to the locking mechanism. For example, the

controller may be configured to provide a signal which results in the locking mechanism being moved

between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Preferably, the device may further comprise an interface. For example the device may include one or

more of a keyboard, a scanner i.e. a barcode scanner, button(s), joystick(s), mice, electronic tag

reader(s), biometric identification (i.e. fingerprint, voice, or optical recognition), cameras, wireless (i.e.

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.) or touch-screen interface(s).

Preferably, the interface may be configured to in-use receive the transaction-based information.

Preferably, the controller is operatively connected to the interface to facilitate the receipt of the

transaction-based information. For example, the controller may have a wired or wireless connection to

the interface.

JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60

Preferably, the transaction-based information may contain information regarding a prescription, sale, or

transfer of goods. Alternatively, or additionally the information may include a unique identifier which

links to one or more databases in order to provide additional data about the prescription, sale or

transfer of goods.

Preferably, the databases may include one or more of:

• Electronic prescription databases;

• Medicine information databases;

• Patient information databases;

• Regulatory databases;

• Medical wholesaler/supplier databases;

• Pharmacy / dispensary databases; and

• Practice management databases.

Preferably, the device may store one or more pieces of information for the purposes of complying with

one or more legal requirements e.g. a Statute or Regulation.

Preferably the storage of the one or more pieces of information occurs after the transaction-based

information is validated. However, this should not be seen as limiting on the technology. For example,

the information may be stored prior to or during validation.

For example, in New Zealand, the device may store transaction information in order to provide an

electronic controlled drugs register which complies with the Misuse of Drugs act 1975. In addition, or

alternatively, the device may collect and store one or more pieces of information for the purposes of complying with section 29 of the 1981 Medicines Act.

Preferably, the sales transaction may comprise the step of generating an invoice i.e. invoicing for the

medicines supplied by the device.

Preferably, the device further may comprise a communication system. For example, the communication

system may provide wired or wireless connectivity to the device. For example, the communication

system may comprise one or more of a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, satellite link,

radio and near field communications, or a wired connection such as ethernet or coaxial cable.

Preferably, the device may further comprise a restraint. For example, the restraint may be designed to

substantially eliminate or prevent unauthorised movement of the device. In one embodiment the

restraint comprises a tether and a fastener, for example a chain and bolt.

JAWS Ref: 312422AU3/60

According to a further aspect of the technology, there is provided a method of providing access to a

medication comprising the following steps:

i) providing a device with transaction-based information;

ii) validating the transaction-based information against one or more registers;

iii) providing access to the medication based on the transaction-based information; and

iv) generating a sales transaction.

Preferably, the device may be substantially as described herein.

It should become apparent from the foregoing description that the present technology may provide one

or more advantages including:

• A more streamlined method of providing access to or dispensing medications;

• Reduced patient waiting times for controlled substances and unapproved medicines;

• Devices which automate the verification of transaction-based information against one or more

registers, reducing the amount of manual input required and possibility for human error; and

• Devices and systems which allows for consignment warehousing of controlled substances and

unapproved medications.

Further aspects of the technology, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become

apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one

example of a practical application of the technology.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments of the technology will be described below by way of example only, and

without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1A shows an exemplary storage device according to a first embodiment of the present

technology;

Figure 1B shows the storage device of Figure 1A with the door in an open position;

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram for the system according an embodiment of the present

technology;

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Figure 3 shows a representative schematic of databases with which a device according to an

embodiment of the present technology may be configured to communicate;

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a device according to an aspect of the present

technology;

Figure 5 shows a yet further alternative embodiment of a device according to an aspect of the

present technology;

Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an aspect of the present technology;;

and

Figure 7 shows yet a further embodiment of a device according to an aspect of the present

technology;

Figure 8 shows a front view of a retrofit component according to an aspect of the present

technology;

Figure 9 shows a side view of the retrofit component of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a front view of the retrofit component of Figures 8 and 9 mounted to a 102

according to an aspect of the present technology;

Figure 11 shows a side view of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an aspect of the present technology.

Brief Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

First Embodiment of a Devicefor Storing, Selling, Accessing and Dispensing of Medicines

Referring first to Figures 1A and 1B which show a device 100 according to the present technology.

The device 100 includes a housing 102 which includes at least one storage cavity e.g. five storage

cavities 104A, 104B, 104C, 104D, 104E as illustrated. The storage cavities 104A-104E are configured to

store one or more items 106 e.g. controlled substances or unapproved medicines. However, this should not be seen as limiting on the technology, and the device 100 of the present technology may be used to

hold items 106 other than controlled substances and unapproved medicines as should be appreciated

by those skilled in the art.

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Access to the storage cavities 104A-104E is provided via at least one door 108, which is shown in a

closed position in Figure 1A and an open position in Figure 1B. The door 108 may be selectively secured

in at least the closed position using a locking mechanism 110. Thereby, the locking mechanism 110 can

prevent unauthorised access to the cavities 104A-104E. Accordingly, the locking mechanism 110 allows

the device 100 to function as a secure storage device or safe. However, this should not be seen as

limiting on the technology, and other suitable storage devices such as cabinets, boxes and containers

may be used.

For example, alternative embodiments of the device 100 may include more than one door 108, each

door being configured to provide access to one or more storage cavities 104A-104E. This arrangement

may be particularly advantageous where it is desirable that access be limited to the medications being

dispensed or to which access is being provided.

In Figures 1A and 1B the locking mechanism 110 includes a first locking half 112A on the housing 102

and a second locking half 112B on the door 108. One or more of the locking halves 112A, 112B may

include an actuator (not shown) configured to move a locking element (not shown) between a locked

position and an unlocked position. For example, the first locking half 112A may include an electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic or magnetic actuator which is configured to move a locking element such as a pin

or bolt into engagement with the second locking half 112B to secure the door in the closed position.

It should be appreciated however that the locking mechanism 110 may be any suitable mechanism or

assembly which can selectively prevent the door 108 being opened.

_0 In the embodiment of Figures 1A and 1B, the locking mechanism 110 is mounted on an exterior surface

of the housing 102. In some embodiments of the technology, it may instead be advantageous to position

the locking mechanism 110 on an internal surface of the housing in order to protect the locking

mechanism 110 from being tampered with.

The door 108 is also provided with a handle 114 to facilitate opening and closing of the door 108 when

the locking mechanism 110 is in the unlocked position. However, it should be appreciated that the

handle 114 is an optional feature which may be provided by or integrated with the locking mechanism

110, or not provided.

The device 100 includes a controller 116 which is configured to control operation and functionality of the device 100. The controller may be a programmable computer apparatus as should be known to one

skilled in the art.

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In some embodiments, the device 100 may optionally include an interface 118. In these embodiments,

the interface 118 is configured to facilitate data input to the device 100 by a user. The interface may

comprise one or more input mechanisms, e.g. as illustrated in Figure 1 the interface 118 includes a

keyboard or keypad 120and a scanner122.

The scanner may be a barcode scanner as illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B. However, it should be

appreciated that additional or alternative interfaces may be used including one or more of: a joystick,

mouse, electronic tag reader(s), radio frequency (RFID) tag reader, biometric identification system (i.e.

fingerprint, voice, or optical recognition), cameras, QR code reader or a touch-screen interface.

The controller 116 is operatively connected to the interface 118 such that it can receive data from the

interface 118. For example, the controller 116 may have one or more wired or wireless connections to

the interface 118 in order to facilitate the transfer of data between the two components.

The scanner can be used to scan a medicine as it is being dispensed to collect medicine identifying

information e.g. it scans a bar code on the medicine which contains, or links to, information such as one

of more of the active compounds, dose strength, disease(s) to be used to treat or prevent, batch

information, and expiry date. The device is configured to validate the information captured by the scanner e.g. to check that the correct medicine is being dispensed from the deice 100. It may also

facilitate details of the medicine dispensed and administered to a patient being entered into and stored

in, a central record e.g. a vaccines register.

The controller 116 is also operatively connected to the locking mechanism 110, to enable it to provide a

_0 signal which results in the locking mechanism 110 being moved between a locked position and an

unlocked position.

The controller may provide, or be configured to communicate with, an inventory of medicines held in

the device 100. In addition, the controller 116 may be configured to update the inventory as medicines

are placed into, or dispensed from, the device 100. For instance, as a medicine is dispensed, the scanner

can be used to capture at least one piece of identifying information about the medicine, and the

inventory can be updated to reflect that the medicine has been dispensed and that the resulting stock in

the device 100 has reduced.

In use the interface 118 is configured to facilitate input of one or more pieces of information to the controller 116. The one or more pieces of information may be processed by the controller 116 to

determine whether the locking mechanism 110 should be moved between the locked position and the

unlocked position to thereby provide access to the storage cavities 104A-104E. In the illustrated

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embodiment, the information is preferably transaction-based and may include user credentials as will

be explained in more detail below. For example, the information may contain at least one parameter of

a prescription or an identifier for a prescription, information for the purposes of identifying the person

requesting the medication from the device or details about sale or transfer of products. Alternatively, or

additionally the information may include a unique identifier which links to one or more databases in

order to provide additional data about the prescription, sale or transfer of goods.

The device 100 may be provided with a communication system 124 as shown in Figures 1A and 1B. The

communication system 124 may include any suitable wireless or wired connectivity. For example, the

communication system 124 may provide a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, satellite

link, radio or near field communications. To facilitate the wireless connection the communication

system 124 may further include an antenna 126.

When the device 100 is installed in a pharmacy or dispensary, it may be particularly advantageous for

the device to connect directly to the dispensary's existing Wi-Fi network. This may enable the device to

be quickly installed without the need of additional infrastructure.

Alternatively, or additionally, a hardwired connection such as ethernet or coaxial cable may be provided. In such embodiments, the device 100 includes at least one plug or socket (not shown) to facilitate

connecting to the communication system 124.

Where network connectivity cannot be guaranteed, such as in rural sites, the communication system

124 may be configured to receive database information by any suitable storage medium, such as a CD,

_0 disk or USB mass storage device.

In some embodiments, the communication system 124 may be configured to communicate with a

dispensary's point of sale ("POS") system. For instance, the controller 116 is programmed, e.g. with an

API, or otherwise configured, to exchange messages with the POS system via the communications

system 124. The messages facilitate operation of the device 100, including provision of systems and

methods as substantially described herein. The operation of the communication system 124 and its

relationship to operation of the device 100 should become clearer from the following discussion.

The device 100 also comprises a restraint 128 designed to substantially eliminate or prevent

unauthorised movement of the device 100. For example, the restraint 128 may be used to prevent the device 100 from being removed from the dispensary in which it is installed. In Figures 1A and 1B the

restraint 128 is illustrated as a chain 130 and a fastener 132 in the form of a bolt which secures the chain

130 to the ground 134. Alternatively, the restraint 128 may be used to attach the device to a wall,

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ceiling, or other large object or surface. Other suitable restraints such as brackets may also be used as

should be known to those skilled in the art.

The device 100 also includes a cooling unit 135 such as a refrigeration unit. This cooling unit 135 is

designed to lower the temperature of one or more of the storage cavities 104A-104E. This may be

required in some applications to ensure the maintained efficacy of the controlled substances or

unapproved medicines. However, it should not be seen as limiting on the technology and in alternative

embodiments one or more of the storage cavities 104A-104E may not be cooled, i.e. the device may not

include a cooling unit 135.

Other features of the device 100 which are not illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B may include: tamper

detection systems (e.g. tilt, shock, acceleration, GPS, sound etc), temperature monitoring, logging

systems including minimum and maximum temperature logging and security systems such as cameras

etc.

It should be appreciated that the device 100 is capable of complying with one or more regulations

relating to the storage, sale, access and dispensing of controlled substances or unapproved medicines.

For example, the device 100 meets the storage requirements of the Medicines Act 1981 and Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 in New Zealand.

System for Storing, Selling, Accessing and Dispensing of Medicines

Referring now to Figure 2 which shows a broad overview of one embodiment of a system 200 according

to the present technology. For sake of simplicity, reference will be made herein to the features of the

device 100 described above. It should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting on the

scope of the technology, and the present system 200 may be used with any suitable device, including

alternative devices described herein.

The features of the system 200 are best understood with reference to how the system 200 operates in

use and will be described accordingly. In addition, features of the device 100 are described in the

context of the system 200 as a whole, and it should be understood that discussion of the features of the

device 100 describes the features of the device itself.

The device 100 is provided in a location such as a dispensary by an owner e.g. a wholesaler or supplier of

items 106. The device is stocked with items 106 and ownership of the items 106 remains with the owner not the dispensary. An inventory of items 106 in the device 100 is created, and may be stored on

the controller 116 or other medium e.g. a cloud based inventory management system.

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As shown, the system 200 includes an idle 202 or rest state. The idle state 202 is defined as the state in

which the device 100 is not making any device access decisions. It should be appreciated that in this idle

state, the device 100 need not be inactive, for example the device may be communicating with one or

more databases via the communication system 124.

A user such as a dispensary employee, can provide transaction-based information 203 to the device 100,

or a unique identifier which links to transaction-based information. For example, the user may enter the

transaction-based information into a dispensary's point of sale (POS) system such as by scanning a

barcode on a paper prescription and the barcode may contain a unique identifier which links to more

detailed information about the prescription in one or more databases. For example, on scanning a

barcode in a POS system, the POS system can send a signal to the device 100 by communication system

124 which is received by the controller 116.

On receipt of the transaction-based information at step 203, the controller 116 is configured to

commence a method of storing, selling, accessing and dispensing one or more items 106 in the device

100 (as will be discussed in more detail below).

The controller 116 may use the transaction-based information to access prescription information from one or more databases, such as an electronic prescription database e.g. the NZePS in New Zealand.

Alternatively, the transaction-based information can be input directly to the device 100 by a user e.g.

using a scanner provided on the device or a keyboard.

In preferred forms, the transaction-based information also includes at least one user credential. The

user credential identifies the person who is requesting the medicine from the system 200. For example,

the user credential may include one or more of the user's name, role or employee identification

number. This information may be required for records held by the device 100 and/or for the purposes of

providing regulatory compliance information to one or more databases.

In some forms, the user credential may be provided to the system 200 via the interface 118. For

instance, a user may be provided with an RFID tag and therefore the interface includes an RFID tag

reader. However, this should not be seen as limiting on the technology and in alternative embodiments

it may be provided using any suitable interface 118 as described above. Alternatively, a user may use a

fingerprint scanner or other biometric sensor (not illustrated in the figures) to verify the user's identify. The interface 118 may transmit or otherwise provide the user-credential information to the controller

116.

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The user credential may be provided before, after or concurrently with the transaction-based

information. In alternative embodiments of the technology, the user-credential may not be provided,

for example in some countries or applications it may be adequate to simply provide the transaction

based information without any user credentials.

Upon receiving the user-credential information, the device 100 enters a communication state 204 in

which it communicates with one or more databases (e.g. as illustrated in Figure 3 and discussed below)

to complete one or more of the following validation steps 206 in any order:

• Validate the transaction-based information. For example, where the transaction-based

information includes patient information, that may be checked against one or more online

databases such as a national health index (NHI) or Health Practitioner Index (HPI); • Query one or more databases to retrieve information about the prescribed medication (i.e.

amount to be prescribed, dosage information etc.). This information may be provided by the

Universal List of Medicines (ULM), or otherwise be provided by an electronic prescription database such as the NZePS;

• Query one or more databases to check that the appropriate regulatory documentation has been

completed and recorded on the appropriate registers; for example, ensuring that informed

patient consent has been provided for unapproved medicines or controlled substances; this

step may also involve sending a signal to a database via the communications system 124 with

information sufficient to satisfy any regulatory requirements regarding dispensing of the prescribed medicines. • Query one or more inventory databases, such as an inventory of items held in the device 100,

which may be stored on the controller 116 or an external storage means e.g. a cloud-based

database. This enables the system 200 to check stock of items held in the device 100 to

determine whether the device 100 the prescribed medication in stock and can satisfy a

prescription.

The controller is configured to in step 208 determine if the transaction-based information is invalid or

whether the device 100 is unable to supply the items requested. If the information is invalid or the items

cannot be supplied, at step 210 the device 100 will deny access to the items 106 in the one or more

storage cavities 104A-104E and the device 100 will return to the idle state 202. If the information is valid, and the device 100 is able to supply the items 106 subject of the transaction, then the controller

116 processes the transaction at step 214. At step 214 the device may perform one or more of the

following actions:

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• Commencing, and preferably processing, a sales transaction(s), including generating an invoice

for the item(s) 106 supplied. For instance, the sales transaction may be from the owner

(wholesaler / supplier) of the medicine and the dispensary so at this time ownership of the

medicine(s) transfers to the dispensary;

• Notifying the owner (wholesaler/supplier) of the item(s) 106 subject of the sale transaction(s).

This may for example be used to facilitate restocking of the device 100. This step may also be

required in order to comply with specific regulations relating to the supply of controlled

substances or unapproved medicines in according to the laws of country to which the device

100 is subject;

• Generating a label containing information about the item(s) 106. For example, the device could

generate an adhesive label (either by sending the label information to a printer or dispensary's

computer system, or by printing the label itself) which is then applied to the item(s) 106 in order

to inform the patient as to how the item(s) 106 should be taken;

• Providing information to one or more databases in order to facilitate recording the transfer of

the medication. For example, information may be provided to an online prescription database

(such as the NZePS) to indicate that the medication has been supplied; • Providing information to an inventory management system. For example, the device 100 may

communicate with a dispensary's inventory management system to facilitate the sale of the

item(s) 106 to the patient; and

• Providing information to meet one or more regulatory requirements. For example, the device

100 may provide information relating to an electronic controlled drug register or unapproved

medicines supply; see for example section 29 of the 1981 Medicines Act in New Zealand.

At step 216, the controller 116 communicates with the locking mechanism 110 to unlock the door 108,

in order to provide access to the item(s) 106. The user can then remove the item(s) 106 at step 218 and

close the door 108. The locking mechanism 110 subsequently locks the door at step 220, and the device

100 returns to the idle state 202.

In some forms of the present technology, the system 200 may comprises one or more databases owned and maintained by third parties. Figure 3 provides a representative schematic of databases with which

the device 100 may be configured to selectively communicate. It should be appreciated that the present

technology may be configured to communicate with any number of databases, and that the databases

provided as examples in the forgoing discussion should not be seen as limiting on the invention. That is

to say that other databases should become apparent to those skilled in the art in the respective

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countries of use. For example, indicative databases with which the present technology can communicate

or integrate include:

• Electronic Prescription Databases 302. One advantage of the present technology is the ability to

integrate it with one or more electronic prescription databases. In this way the device 100 is

able to retrieve prescription information directly from the databases used by the prescribing

doctor or physician. This can advantageously ensure that the correct medications are being

provided at the dosage quantities prescribed, and reduces the likelihood of human-error. Examples of Electronic Prescription Databases include the New Zealand ePrescription Service

(NZePS), MediSecure and eRx in Australia.

• Medicine Information Database 304. Some countries have databases which list information

regarding medicines such as the official standardised names of the medicines, whether the

medicines are approved for use, what restrictions apply, whether the medicine qualifies for any

subsidies, and any conditions that may apply on prescribing the medicine. Integrating the present technology with these databases may advantageously ensure that the correct medicines

are being administered at the correct dosages. An example of a Medicine Information Database

304 with which the present technology communicates or integrates is the New Zealand

Universal List of Medicines (NZULM). In some embodiments of the technology it may be

advantageous to provide a medicine information database with information relating to the

medicines stored in one or more devices 100 according to the present technology. In this way a

prescribing doctor may advise the patient which pharmacy/dispensary has the required

medication available at the time of prescribing the medication to the patient. • Patient information databases 306. These databases are used to record information about the

patient such as their age, date of birth, gender etc. Some of the more advanced databases also

include information about allergies, current and past medications. Integrating the present

technology with these databases may advantageously ensure that the correct medications are

being provided to the correct person. Examples include the Personally Controlled Electronic

Health Record (PCEHR) in Australia, and the National Health Index (NHI) in New Zealand.

Alternatively, the patient information database 306 may be a medical practices' Patient

Management System (PMS) which contains a patient's personal health notes and records and is

where prescribing of medicines frequently occurs. In yet a further embodiment, the patient

information database 306 may be a National Immunisation Registry. • Regulatory Databases 308. In many cases the prescribing of controlled substances or

unapproved medicines requires that various forms be completed in order to comply with

regulatory requirements. This can include such things as recording the prescriber's name, the

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patient's name, the name of the prescribed medication, the strength of the active ingredient in

the medication and the number of doses prescribed. In addition, it may be necessary to record

that the patient has provided informed consent to taking the substance or medicine. Integrating

the present technology with these databases may advantageously ensure that the correct

documentation and consent has been recorded before the medicines are provided to the

patient. Furthermore, the present technology may facilitate the automated generation and

recording of reports which are compliant with the relevant regulatory databases. For example,

the requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and Medicines Act 1981 in New Zealand.

• Medical wholesaler/supplier databases 310. Direct integration with the medical wholesaler or

supplier enables the present technology to be used to provide consignment storage of items

106. In other words, the wholesaler/supplier retains ownership of the items 106 until they are

to be dispensed to a patient. This can be important to comply with regulations and laws which

prevent a dispensary from stocking unapproved medicines prior to supplying the required

regulatory information (such as required under section 29 of the Medicines Act 1981 in New

Zealand). Furthermore, integration with the wholesaler and supplier databases allows for

remote monitoring of the items 106 (such as expiry dates, temperatures etc) as well as

automated reordering as the inventory is depleted.

• Dispensary Databases 312. Integrating the present technology with a pharmacy or dispensary

database may advantageously be used to streamline the process of transferring the items 106

from consignment storage into the dispensary's stock and therefore its sale /dispensing. For

example, upon providing access to the items 106 in the device 100, a sales transaction may be

automatically generated by the dispensary's point of sale system and its inventory may be

updated to reflect that the dispensary have taken possession of the items 106. • Practice management systems (PMS) 314. These databases are used by prescribing physicians

and doctors to facilitate the prescription process, as well as storing patient information such as

age, date of birth, gender allergies, current and past medications etc. Integrating the present

technology with these databases may provide a number of advantages such as ensuring that the

patient information is correct, the prescribed medicine is suitable, and / or streamlining the

process of generating and processing repeat prescriptions.

The ability to transmit information to, and receive information from, one or more of the third-party

databases may provide a number of advantages. These include, but are not limited to, facilitate

consignment storage and sales of medicines. For instance, a device 100 according to the present

invention can be provided in a dispensary, and stocked with a supply of medicines. The medicines can

subsequently be dispensed to patient and the dispensary can charge the patient for the transaction.

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There is therefore a relatively fast process to facilitate sequential sales of medicines from wholesalers/

suppliers to dispensaries and then from the dispensaries to the patient, while at the same time

complying with laws and regulations relating to when certain types of medicines may be sold.

Second Embodiment of a Devicefor Storing, Selling, Accessing and Dispensing of Medicines

Referring now to Figure 4 which illustrates an embodiment of the present technology in which a device

400 is provided for securing a space 402. The space 402 illustrated is a room which has a door 404,

however it should be appreciated that the present device is suitable for use on any appropriate storage

space such as a cupboard or container.

In Figure 4, the space 402 provides a storage cavity 406 for the storage of medicines. This space 402 may

be refrigerated as required or contain a refrigerator 408 which provides a region of the space 402 with

cooled storage. The space may also include shelving or containers 410 to accommodate the storage of

the medicines.

While not illustrated it should be appreciated that the device 400 may include any of the features of the

device 100 of Figure 1. For example, the device 400 may include a locking mechanism 110, controller

116, and communication system 124. It may also optionally include an interface 118. The device 400 may also be configured to have the connectivity illustrated in Figure 3 and as discussed above.

A key difference between the device 400 of Figure 4 and the device 100 of Figures 1A and 1B is that the

device 400 is independent from the storage cavity. Instead, the device 400 is a standalone product

configured to secure a space 402. Accordingly, the present device 400 may be used to convert existing

storage spaces to consignment stock storage in accordance with the present technology.

Third Embodiment of a Devicefor Storing, Selling, Accessing and Dispensing of Medicines

Referring now to Figure 5 which shows a further device 500 according to the present technology. For

sake of convenience like numerals refer to like features of previous embodiments.

The device 500 of is in the form of an automated dispensing device or vending machine as should be

familiar to those skilled in the art. The device comprises a housing 502 that provides one or more

storage cavities 504. In the illustrated embodiment rows of medicines 506 are provided in each of the

storage cavities. In use a dispensing system 536 is activated to retrieve the medicine from the device

and dispense same through the door 508.

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The illustrated dispensing system 536 is a grabbing device which moves to collect the required

medication. However alternative dispensing devices will be known to those skilled in the art, such as

helical spirals which are rotated one or more turns to dispense the medicines.

In use the device 500 works in a similar manner to the embodiment of Figure 1. That is to say, a user

provides transaction-based information to the interface 518 via one or more input devices such as a

keyboard 520 or scanner 522. The controller 516 validates the transaction-based information against

one or more databases via the communication system 524. Once validated, the controller may generate

a sales transaction, dispense the one or more medicines 506 and update one or databases to reflect that

the prescribed medicine has been provided.

Like the previous embodiments, the device may further include on or more of a refrigeration system, a

restraint 528 (for example a tether 530 and fastener 532), tamper detection systems (e.g. tilt, shock,

acceleration, GPS, sound etc), and security systems such as cameras etc.

In addition to the features of previous embodiments, the device of Figure 5 further includes a payment

processor 536 to facilitate a sales transaction between the customer and the wholesaler/supplier of the

medicine. This payment processor may facilitate the use of electronic transactions such as credit card, EFTPOS, and NFC transactions, and/or cash transactions.

One key advantage of the embodiment of Figure 5 is that the medicines may be provided directly to a

customer, rather than providing the goods through a pharmacy or dispensary. This can reduce the

labour overhead of providing medicines and enable medicines to be provided more quickly and

_0 efficiently than previous technologies. However, this application should not be seen as limiting on the

technology and devices 500 of this type may also be used to facilitate the supply of medicines between a

wholesaler and a dispensary or pharmacy (for example on a consignment basis).

In light of the above, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present technology,

provides a range of devices and systems which can be used to simplify and streamline the supply of

medicines to a patient. In certain embodiments of the technology the devices may be used to facilitate

and/or assist with the prescribing, storage, access to, dispensing and sale of medications. In alternative

embodiments of the technology the devices and systems may be configured to provide one or more of

the functions listed above.

Methods of Storing, Selling, Accessing and Dispensing Medicines

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Referring now to Figure 6 which is a flow diagram that illustrates a preferred method of the present

technology using a device 100, 400, 500 and system 200 described herein.

In general terms the flow diagram has been separated into two distinct stages, indicated as stage one

620 and stage two 622 respectively. Stage one 620 relates to the prescribing of medications and stage

two 622 relates to the dispensing of medications. It should be understood that the method of Figure 6

provides additional details of the method of Figure 2 and exemplifies how the present technology

facilitates prescribing, selling, accessing and dispensing of medicines such as controlled substances.

Stage one 620, generally starts with a doctor searching for patient information 602. In order to ensure

that they have the correct information, medical history for the patient etc, this step often involves

communication to at least one patient information database 650. For example, the patient information

database 650 may be a national health index NHI, or the practise management database used by the

doctor/medical centre.

Once the patient's details have been confirmed, the doctor then looks up suitable medicines and dosage

rates to treat the patient's ailment 604. This may involve communicating with at least one medicine

information database 652 such as a universal list of medicines.

The doctor then generates, or causes to be generated, a prescription 606. In countries where electronic

prescription databases 654 are used, a record of the prescription is stored in the electronic prescription

database 654. In some countries it may also be necessary for the doctor to print a paper copy of the

prescription and date/sign that document to comply with one or more legal or regulatory requirements

_0 e.g. the New Zealand Medicines Act 1981. Where the doctor is prescribing an unapproved medicine or

controlled substance, the doctor may also need to record further details of the prescription in one or

more regulatory compliance databases. For example, this could include recording that the doctor has

the patient's informed consent.

Once stage one 620 has been completed, the prescription information is conveyed to a dispensary.

Traditionally this involves the patient taking a paper copy of the prescription information to the

dispensary 608. Note that this is not limiting on the technology, and it should be appreciated that the

patient may instead maintain an electronic record of the prescription such as by email or on a

smartphone app etc, or the prescription could be transmitted to the dispensary directly from the doctor via a communication network.

Once the dispensary has the prescription information, stage 622 starts. In the method illustrated, the

prescription information is entered into a device 100, 400, 500 according to the present technology 610.

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In a preferred form of the technology, the prescription information is scanned by the dispensary's point

of sale (POS) system (not illustrated in the Figures). The POS system communicates with the device 100,

400, 500 to check inventory of controlled substances stored within the device 100, 400, 500 and

whether it can supply the medicine(s) prescribed.

However, it is also envisaged that the prescription information may be entered directly into the device

100, 400, 500 using other methods. For instance, this step may be achieved using any of the methods

described above, for example a unique identifier on the prescription may be entered using the interface

118.

The device 100, 400, 500 communicates to the dispensary's POS system a signal indicating whether it

can or cannot supply the requested items.

If the signal indicates that medicines can be supplied, then the POS system approves the dispensing of

the medicines by sending an appropriate signal to the device 100, 400, 500. If the signal indicates that

the medicines cannot be supplied, then the POS system conveys this to a user e.g. an employee at the

dispensary.

The device 100, 400, 500 then commences and processes a sales transaction. This may involve generating an invoice addressed to the dispensary, for sale of the items to be dispensed. The invoice

may be sent by the device to the dispensary according to its invoicing and stock management

procedures e.g. to the dispensary's POS system, accounting system or accounts receivable team. It

should be appreciated that it is at this time that the ownership of the items(s) covered by the invoice

_0 changes from a third party to the dispensary. For instance, the owner of the device 100 may be a

wholesaler of medicines who retains ownership of all items in the device 100, 400, 500 until an invoice is

generated and sent to the dispensary.

The controller may initiate and complete one or more of steps 650, 652, 654, 662 in which the device

100, 300, 400 communicates with one or more databases. For example, at step 650 the patient's details

may be validated via one or more patient information databases e.g. 306, at step 622 the prescribed

medicine and dosage may be verified against one or more medicine information databases e.g. 304, at

step 654 details of the prescription may be checked against one or more electronic prescription

databases e.g. 302, and at step 662 the necessary regulatory compliance documentation may be sent to the owner (wholesaler/supplier) of the items e.g. 310. It should be understood that steps 650, 652, 654,

and 662 may be completed concurrently with each other or sequentially in any order.

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If all criteria for dispensing of an item are satisfied, the items are dispensed from the device 100, 400,

500 at step 612. In this step, the controller 116 sends a signal to the locking mechanism 110 to move to

an unlocked positioned to thereby allow the door 108 to be opened. A user can then access the items.

The interface 188 can be used to check the medicine(s) e.g. the scanner can be used to scan the

medicine(s) and verify that the correct medicine is being dispensed. This may assist with step 622 as the

medicine being dispensed is checked, and then validated against one or more medicine databases e.g.

304. In addition, the scanner can capture information such as batch number and expiry, or that

information can be input manually into the device 100 using a keyboard or other input.

The device 100 can subsequently be locked e.g. the locking mechanism can be manually or automatically

engaged to move to a locked position to hold the door 108 closed and thereby prevent unauthorised

access to the items 106.

Prior to, during or after step 612, the device 100, 400, 500 may communicate with one or more

databases to record the dispensing of the items. For example, at step 658 the pharmacy's database 312

(stock inventory database) is updated to note the dispensary's stock of the items (as the medicine is sold

from the owner (supplier/wholesaler) to the dispensary on commencement of the sale transaction). At step 660 the doctor's practice management database 314 may be updated to store a record of the

prescription being fulfilled; this may advantageously provide the doctor with better insight to patient

medical history or be used as a means of triggering repeat prescriptions.

At step 662, the controller 116 may send a signal to the owner (wholesaler/supplier) database 310

_0 advising that items 106 in the device 100, 400, 500 have been dispensed. This may initiate a reordering

process for the device 100, 400, 500.

In some applications or countries, it may also be necessary to provide the supplier/wholesaler with

regulatory compliance documentation in order for the items 106 to be dispensed. When the device 100,

400, 500 is used in these applications or applications, the controller 116 could send a signal at step 662

which provides information necessary to satisfy the regulatory requirements.

Referring now to Figure 12 which shows a flow diagram of an alternate method 900 of dispensing

medicines. The method 900 is performed by a suitably configured device 100, 300, 400 or 500. For the

sake of simplicity similar references refer to similar components and steps.

The method 900 may find particular use in storing and dispensing medicines in a medical practice e.g.

vaccines. This may be particularly useful where a medical practitioner is required to administer the

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medicine(s) and the patient does not take these away for later administration. In addition, the method is

suitable for use where the medicine(s) are owned by the medical practice from which they are

dispensed.

It should be understood that method 900 is similar to the method of Figure 6. However certain steps

e.g. step 656 and 662 may be omitted or changed to meet the requirements of the particular

application.

For instance, the prescription generated at step 606 may be used by the prescriber or other authorised

medical person to access the medicine(s) from the device 100, 300, 400, 500.

In method 900, at step 924 a database recording administration of medicines is updated. In some

embodiments the database may be the electronic prescription database 302, or other database e.g. a

central vaccines register.

In addition, at step 612 the method may include the steps of checking medicine identifier information

e.g. the medicine batch and expiry date, and entering that information into the device 100, 300, 400,

500. The device 100, 300, 400, 500 can then provide the medicine identifier information to the database

recording administration. This facilitates collecting a record of medicines such as vaccines administered to patient(s).

Fourth Embodiment of a Devicefor Storing, Selling, Accessing and Dispensing of Medicines

Yet a further embodiment of the technology is shown in Figure 7. For sake of simplicity like features are

identified with like numerals.

In this embodiment a device 700 is provided for a care facility such as a rest-home. The device 700

includes a housing 702 which includes at least two storage cavities 704A, 704B, access to which is

provided by two doors 708A, 708B. The doors 708A, 708B may be selectively secured in one or more

positions using a locking mechanism 710.

The locking mechanism 710 comprises a first locking half 712A which is provided to the housing 702, a

second locking half 712B, provided to the first door 708A and a third locking half 712C provided to the

second door 708B. One advantage of the present arrangement is that the first locking 712A half may

selectively lock one or more of the doors 708A, 708B; for example, by using an actuator (not illustrated).

One aspect of the device 700 is that it can provide storage, sale and access to controlled substances

and/or unapproved medications as described in relation to the previous embodiments. However, the

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device 700 can also store controlled substances and/or unapproved medications after those have been

initially accessed by a user e.g. care facility staff and medical practitioner.

In use a care provider may access the device 700 using any of the methods described above. For

example, the care provider may provide transaction-based information together with a user credential

in order to release the locking mechanism 110 and gain access to the device 700. A medicine can then

be accessed based on the transaction-based information provided.

Once the medicine has been accessed, the device 700 then allows for the medicine to be reinserted into

the device 700 for secure storage until required. For example, a patient may be prescribed multiple

doses of a medication, and administered only a single dose at a time.

The use of multiple doors 708A, 708B may advantageously allow for one storage cavity 704A to be

exclusively provided for consignment storage of medications. That is, both transaction-based

information, together with at least one user credential may be required for access. The other storage

cavity 704B may be reserved for storage of a patient's medications once those have been initially

accessed from the storage cavity 704A. This cavity could simply be accessed if the correct user

credentials are provided and verified by the device 700.

Retrofit Arrangement

Referring now to Figures 8 to 11 which show a retrofit component 800 according to one aspect of the

present technology. For ease of reference like references refer to like components.

The retrofit component 800 can be used to convert an existing storage system e.g. a vaccine fridge 802

into a device 100, 300, 400 or 500 as described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vaccine fridge 802 includes a housing 102 having a cavity (not

illustrated in the Figures), and a door 108.

The retrofit component 800 components a controller 116 which is configured to be mounted to the

vaccine fridge 802. For instance, the controller 116 may include a mounting bracket or fasteners (neither

illustrated in the Figures) which facilitate the controller 116 being securely mounted in position.

The retrofit component 800 includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent the door

108 being opened. As illustrated in Figures 8 to 11, the locking mechanism 110 comprises a locking

member 804 moveably mounted to the retrofit component 800 e.g. pivotally mounted. A spring (not

illustrated in the Figures) is configured to bias the locking member 804 towards a locking position.

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An aperture 806 can be formed in the door 108 such as by using a drill. In use, the spring (not illustrated)

biases the locking member 804 towards a locked position in which it is disposed in the aperture 806; this

position is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

The retrofit component 600 comprises an actuator (not illustrated) configured to move the locking

member 804 out of the aperture 806 to allow the door 108 to be moved and thereby access into the

cavity (not illustrated). The actuator may be any suitable form of actuator e.g. a solenoid or servo motor.

The retrofit component 800 includes components to facilitate the retrofit component 800 providing the

functionality of the device 100, 300, 400 or 500 as described herein. For instance, the retrofit

component 800 may include a display, an interface 118 which can provide a key board or scanner (not

illustrated in Figures 8 to 11).

In addition, the retrofit component 800 may include a communication system 124 e.g. any suitable

communication system such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, satellite link, radio or near field communications.

To facilitate the wireless connection the communication system 124 may further include an antenna

126. The communication system 124 facilitates the retrofit component 800 providing the

communication functionality of the device 100 as described herein. For instance, the communication system 124 may be configured to communicate with a POS system to perform one or more steps of the

method(s) described herein.

Furthermore, the retrofit component 800 can facilitate converting an existing storage unit into a device

100 according to the technology described herein. It may therefore allow the storage unit to comply

_0 with one or more regulations relating to the storage, sale, access and dispensing of controlled

substances or unapproved medicines. For example, the vaccine fridge 802 with the retrofit controller

800 meets the storage requirements of the Medicines Act 1981 and Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 in New

Zealand.

The retrofit component 800 can be provided with a sensor 810 configured to determine whether the

door 108 is open and / or closed. The sensor 810 is connected to the controller 116, and the controller

116 is configured to produce an alert if the door 108 is open e.g. has been open for longer than a pre

determined time period. For instance, a visual signal may be produced using an alert light 820 or an

audible signal produced using a speaker (not shown). The retrofit component 800 can be provided with a temperature sensor 812 e.g. a thermistor. The temperature sensor 812 can be mounted inside the

cavity (not illustrated) and monitor the temperature therein. The temperature sensor 812 is in

communication with the controller 116 to enable the controller 116 to monitor and record the

temperature in the cavity. The controller 116 is configured to produce an alert if the temperature is

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outside of a pre-determined range e.g. a visible or audible signal. For instance, the alert light 820 may be

engaged or an audible signal produced using a speaker (not shown).

The retrofit component 800 can be provided with an input 814 configured to facilitate a person

providing user credentials e.g. RFID reader 814. The controller 116 is configured to check the user

credentials and determine whether the user is authorised to dispense the medicine(s). If the user is

authorised then the controller 116 is engaged to move the locking member 804 out of the aperture 806.

If the user is not authorised, the controller 116 can provide an audible or visible alert e.g. using the alert

light 820.

The retrofit component 800 can be provided with a scanner 816. In use, a user can use the scanner 816

to scan medicine(s) as these are dispensed. The controller 116 is configured to validate and store

identifying details of the medicine(s).

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an

exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement

or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of

endeavour in any country in the world.

The technology may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or

indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of

two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known

equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments

described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be

made without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology and without diminishing its

attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present technology.

Claims (5)

What we claim is:

1. A device for storing and providing access to one or more medicines, the device comprising: a storage unit having at least one storage cavity,

a locking mechanism configured to selectively allow access to the at least one storage cavity,

and

a controller configured to receive and validate transaction-based information,

wherein the controller is configured to generate a sales transaction once the transaction-based

information has been validated,

and further wherein the device is configured to disengage the locking mechanism to provide

access to the medicine(s).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is configured to disengage the locking

mechanism once the transaction-based information has been validated.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is configured to communicate with at

least one external database to validate the transaction-based information, and wherein the at

least one external database comprises one or more of an electronic prescription database, a medicine information database, a patient information database, a regulatory database, a

medical wholesaler or supplier database, a pharmacy or dispensary database, and a practice

management database.

4. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transaction-based information is

prescription information.

5. A method of storing and providing access to one or more medicines, the method using the device

as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, the method including the steps of:

providing the transaction-based information to the device;

dispensing the medicine(s) from the device;

completing a sales transaction to sell the medicine(s) to a patient.

Figure 1A 19 Oct 2020

135 102 126 124

100 2020102868

116

118

120 122

108 110

112B

112A

114

128 130 132 134

1/13

Figure 1B 19 Oct 2020

102 100 135 126 124 104A

106 106 116 2020102868

118 106 106 120 122

112B 104B 110 106 106 112A

104C

106 104D 114

104E 106 106 106

108

128 130 132 134

2/13

Figure 2 19 Oct 2020

200 202 System Idle.

User provides transaction-based information and at least one user 2020102868

credential to the system. 203

Controller queries the transaction- based information against one or more databases via the communications system. 204

Access denied. 210

Transaction- based Information invalid. information is 208 validated. 206

Controller communicates with Information Valid. 212 the locking mechanism in order to lock the Controller processes the transaction. door. 220 214

Controller communicates with the User retrieves goods locking mechanism in order to unlock from device. 218 the door. 216

3/13

Figure 3 19 Oct 2020

Medicine Electronic Information Prescription Database. 304 2020102868

Database. 302

Practice Patient Information Management Database. Databases. 314 306

100

Regulatory Databases. 308 Pharmacy Database. 312

Owner (Wholesaler/suppler) Database. 310

4/13

Figure 4 19 Oct 2020

408 402 2020102868

410

410

410

400 404

5/13

Figure 5

535 524 502 526 500 536

516 2020102868

504 518 506

520 504 506 522

506 504

506 504

506 504

536

PUSH

508

528 530 532 534

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Figure 6 19 Oct 2020

650 Doctor searches for patient Patient Information Database. 306 information. 602

Doctor looks up suitable medicines Medicine Information Database. 304 and dosage information. 604 2020102868

Electronic Prescription Database. 302 Doctor generates prescription. 606

Regulatory Compliance Database. 308

Patient takes paper copy of prescription to pharmacy. 608

622 Patient Information Database. 306

Medicine Information Database. 304 Prescription information entered into Device. 610 Electronic Prescription Database. 302

Wholesaler / Supplier Database. 310

Practice Management Database. 314

Medication dispensed from Device. 658 Pharmacy Database. 312 612

Owner (wholesaler/suppler) Database. 310

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Figure 7 19 Oct 2020

735 702 726 724 700

708B 2020102868

716

708A 718 714A 712A 114B

712B 712C 720 722

710

704A 704B

728 730 732 734

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Figure 8 19 Oct 2020 2020102868

118

800

116

804 820 822

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Figure 9 19 Oct 2020 2020102868

800

125

124 804

10/13

Figure 10 19 Oct 2020

118 2020102868

800

802

804

806

102

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Figure 11 19 Oct 2020

816

800 814 2020102868

126 124

604

606 810

812

802

102

108

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Figure 12 19 Oct 2020

900

650

Searches for patient information. 602 Patient Information Database. 306 2020102868

Medicines and dosage information. Medicine Information Database. 304 604

Electronic Prescription Database. 302 Generate prescription. 606

622 Patient Information Database. 306

Medicine Information Database. 304 Prescription information entered into Device. 610 Electronic Prescription Database. 302

Practice Management Database. 314

Medication dispensed from Device. 658 Inventory Database. 312 612

Database Recording Admin

Medicine Administered to Patient

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