AU2011201417A1 - A System and Method for Patients to Order Repeat Prescription Medication from a Pharmacy - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A system (10) for a patient (12) to order repeat prescription medication from a pharmacy (14) comprising: a communications device (16) associated with the patient (12); and an order processor (28, 30). The patient (12) selects at least one of the 5 repeat prescription medication from the list of repeat prescription medication presented to them by way of the communication device (16) and, on confirming their selection, the order processor (28, 30) compiles information regarding the confirmed order and passes the information to the pharmacy (14) for fulfilment.

Description

-1 "A System and Method for Patients to Order Repeat Prescription Medication from a Pharmacy" FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The invention relates to a system and method for patients to order repeat prescription medication from a pharmacy. The system and method also allows for patients to check up on the quantity of repeats of the prescription medication they have recorded with the pharmacy. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 10 The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application, 15 Patients are often issued with repeat prescriptions for certain medication. These repeats may be to address a temporary or permanent illness. When a patient is issued with a repeat prescription, they have the option of leaving the prescription with the dispensing pharmacist or keeping it themselves. In the former situation, patients often become concerned over the number of repeat prescriptions of 20 their medication they have over time. Particularly so in situations where the medicine concerned is for a potentially life-threatening illness and the ability to obtain a repeat prescription from their doctor can be difficult. In the latter situations, it is possible for the patient to misplace or lose their prescription leading to concern that their medication may not be available for them when they run 25 out of their current medication. The current system also presents difficulties for those with disabilities in attending a pharmacist so as to present repeat prescriptions for fulfilment. It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate in part, one or more of the problems mentioned above.

-2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of", and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to". 5 In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a system for a patient to order repeat prescription medication from a pharmacy comprising: a communications device associated with the patient; and an order processor; where the patient selects at least one of the repeat prescription medication from the list 10 of repeat prescription medication presented to them by way of the communication device and, on confirming their selection, the order processor compiles information regarding the confirmed order and passes the information to the pharmacy for fulfilment. The order processor may operate at predetermined time intervals only to extract a set 15 of predefined information regarding each prescription entered into a prescription system within a given timeframe. Furthermore, the order processor may only extract a set of predefined information regarding each prescription in the prescription system that has not expired or that has not been flagged as private. The set of predefined information may include: the name of the patient for whom the 20 medication has been prescribed; a unique communication identifier-for the patient; and at least one of the following: the name of the prescribed medication; the dosage of the prescribed medication; the cost of the prescribed medication prescription number; and the number of repeats prescribed. On extracting the set of predefined information for each new repeat prescription, the 25 order processor may check the name of the patient to whom the prescription has been issued against a patient database and, if the patient is not recorded in the patient database, initiate contact with the patient through the unique communication identifier so as to authenticate their right to access the system and, if so authenticated, to record the patient's details in the patient database. This authentication process may include 30 sending an authentication message to the patient containing a generated password by -3 way of the unique communication identifier and verifying patient entered logon and password details by comparing the same against the unique communication identifier and generated password. On extracting the set of predefined information for each new repeat prescription, the 5 order processor may further check the name of the patient to whom the prescription has been issued against a patient database and, if the patient is not recorded in the patient database, to further check whether the unique communication identifier for the patient has been recorded for a patient in the patient database and, if so, the order processor operates to associate the new patient's details as a partner or dependent of the patient 10 with the patient record in the patient database containing the same unique communication identifier. The order processor may initiate a secondary authentication process where the patient seeks to view and/or order repeat prescription medication in the name of a patient associated as a partner or dependent of that patient. The unique communication identifier may be one of the following: e-mail address; 15 SkypeTM user name; mobile phone number. The order processor operates may send a confirmation message by way of the unique communication identifier on confirmation of the order The patient may be required to enter the amount of repeats of each prescribed medication to be the subject of the order. The patient may also be required to indicate 20 whether the order is to be picked up by the patient or delivered to them and the approximate time when the order is to be picked up or delivered, as appropriate. The order processor may operate to sum the number of repeats for identical medication taken from multiple repeat prescriptions. The order processor may operate to pass on the information to the pharmacy by way of 25 a notification message that summarises the confirmed order, .The notification message may include a summary of the number of orders still to be fulfilled by the pharmacy. A staff member of the pharmacy may navigate through each order to be fulfilled and the sequence in which the orders are displayed to the staff member is based on one or more of the following factors: 30 the date and time of collection or delivery; -4 the date and time the order was placed; the anticipated preparation time for the prescription medication the subject of the order; and/or the epected shelf life of the prescription medication the subject of the order. 5 The notification message may take the form of a pop-up window. The order processor may send a reminder message to the patient to order a repeat of a prescribed medication by way of the communication device when the patient is predicted by the order processor to soon run out of that prescription medication. The order processor may allow the patient to order non-prescription items in addition to 10 their repeat prescription order. The patient may also be able to initiate a procedure to accept payment for the confirmed order. The communications device may be one of the following: a computer having internet access; a mobile phone having internet access; any other internet-enabled communications device. 15 In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is a method for ordering repeat prescription medication from a pharmacy comprising the steps of: presenting a patient with a list of repeat prescription medication by way of a communications device; receiving from the communications device information regarding a confirmed 20 order of selected repeat prescription medication from the list; and compiling the information into a confirmed order and passing that information to the pharmacy for fulfilment. The method may further include the step of extracting a set of predefined information regarding each prescription entered into a prescription system within a 25 given timeframe and using the prescribed information as the basis for the list. Each set of predefined information regarding each prescription in the prescription system may be checked for an expiry date, and extracting the set of predefined information if the prescribed information indicates that the prescription has not expired.

-5 Each set of predefined information regarding each prescription in the prescription system may be checked for a privacy flag and extracting the set of predefined information if the prescribed information indicates that the prescription is not private. On extracting the set of predefined information for each new repeat prescription, the 5 method may further include the steps of: checking the name of a patient to whom the prescription has been issued against a patient database; and if the. patient is not recorded in the patient database, initiating contact with the patient through a unique communication identifier so as to authenticate their right 10 to access the system and, if so authenticated, to record the patient's details in the patient database. The process of authenticating a patient's right to access the system includes the substeps of: sending an authentication message to the patient containing a generated 15 password by way of the unique communication identifier; and verifying patient entered logon and password details by comparing the same against the unique communication identifier and generated password. The unique communication identifier for the patient may be checked against unique communication identifiers for a patient in the patient database and, if a match is found, 20 the new patient's details may be associated as a partner or dependent of the patient with the patient record in the patient database containing the same unique communication identifier. A secondary authentication process may be initiated where the patient seeks to view and/or order repeat prescription medication in the name of a patient associated as a 25 partner or dependent of that patient. A confirmation message may be sent to the patient by way of the unique communication identifier on confirmation of the order, The amount of repeats of each prescribed medication to be the subject of the order may be received as part of the order.

-6 An indication may be received as to whether the order is to be picked up by the patient or delivered to them. This indication may also include details of the approximate time when the order is to be picked up or delivered as, appropriate. The number of repeats for identical medication for a patient, as taken from multiple 5 repeat prescriptions, may be summed prior to display to the patient An indication may be given to the pharmacy of the number of orders still needed to be fulfilled. A staff member of the pharmacy may navigate through each order to be fulfilled according to a sequence based on one or more of the following factors: 10 the date and time of collection or delivery; the date and time the order was placed; the anticipated preparation time for the prescription medication the subject of the order; and/or the expected shelf life of the prescription medication the subject of the order. 15 A reminder message may be sent to the patient to order a repeat of a prescribed medication by way of the communication device when the patient is predicted to soon run out of that prescription medication. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is a computer readable medium having software recorded thereon that when executed performs the method according 20 to the second aspect of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the system according to a first embodiment of 25 the invention. Figure 2 is a first screenshot of a website forming part of the system according to Figure 1.

-7 Figure 3 is a second screenshot of the website forming part of the system according to Figure 1. Figure 4 is a third screenshot of the website forming part of the system according to Figure 1. 5 Figure 5 is a first screenshot of a desktop client program forming part of the system according to Figure 1. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, 10 and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is a system 10 for patients 12 to order repeat prescription medication from a pharmacy 14. The patient 12 has access to a computer 16 or other internet enabled device. The patient 12 is able to access internet websites by way of an appropriate browser 15 program on the computer 16 or other internet enabled device. The pharmacy 14 is managed by a pharmacist 20. The pharmacist 20 has access to a dispensing computer 22. A desktop client program 24 is operable on the dispensing computer 22. The pharmacy 14 also operates a prescription database 26 for the recording and processing of prescription medication dispensed by the pharmacy 14. 20 The dispensing computer 22 forms part of a network with the prescription database 26 and a web server 28. The web server 28 hosts a website 30 through which patients 12 may access the system 10 using their computer 16 or other internet enabled device. The web server 28 is in data and control communication with a new patient list 32, a patient system database 34 and an order database 36. The web server 28 is also in 25 data communication with the prescription database 26. Due to the nature of the invention, the system 10 will now be further explained in the context of its intended use.

The patient 12 attends the pharmacy 14 and drops off their repeat prescription 18. Details of the repeat prescription 18 are logged into the pharmacy's 14 prescription database 26 as a new record and associated with the patient 12. At midnight, the system 10 searches the prescription database 26 for details of any new 5 prescriptions 18 logged during the previous day's trading. On identifying a new prescription 18, the record is further assessed to determine whether the prescription 18 is associated with a new or existing patient 12 by way of the entered e-mail address for that patient 12. If the prescription 18 is associated with an e-mail address for a patient 12 not previously 10 recorded in the patient system database 34, the patient's 12 details are retrieved from the prescription database 26. These details include the patient's 12 e-mail address. Each new patient's 12 set of details is recorded in the new patient list-32 Alternatively, if the entered e-mail address is already recorded in the patient system database 34, the system 10 checks to see whether the patient 12 associated with the 15 prescription is a new patient 12. If so, the new patient 12 is considered to be a partner or dependent of the existing patient 12. Modifications are then made to the existing patient's 12 record in the patient system database 34 such that the new patient 12 is associated with the record for the existing patient 12 In this situation, however, the new patient 12 is not added to the new patient list 32. 20 Once each new prescription 18 in the prescription database 26 has been identified, the system 10 operates to process the new patient list 32, In processing the new patient list 32, for-each new patient 12 recorded on the list, the system 10 operates to: * Generate a random password for the patient 12 and associate the randomly 25 generated password with the new patient 12 in the new patient list 32; and * Send a welcome e-mail 38 to the new patient 12 at their stated e-mail address The welcome e-mail 38 includes the randomly generated password and a URL the new patient 12 must navigate to in order to complete their registration with the system 10.

-9 The patient 12 uses an internet browser program on their computer 16 or other internet enabled device to access the portion of the website 30 located at the URL indicated in the welcome e-mail 38. The portion of the website 30 located at the URL indicated in the welcome e-mail 38 5 requests that the patient 12 enter: * Their e-mail address (being the e-mail address that the welcome e-mail 38 was sent to); and e The randomly generated password included as part of the welcome e-mail 38. The patient's 12 entered e-mail address and password are then cross-referenced 10 against the corresponding information for the patient 12 in the new patient list 32. If there are differences in the entered e-mail address or password when compared to those recorded for the patient 12 in the patient system database 34, an appropriate error message is displayed. If the cross-reference indicates no differences in e-mail. address or password, a new 15 record is created for the patient 12 in the patient system database 34. This new record includes all of the details for this patient 12 as extracted from the prescription database 26. The patient 12 is then asked to change their password from the randomly generated password included as part of the welcome e-mail 38 and provide information that can 20 be used to assist in recovering the password when forgotten. Concurrent with the above processing, the web server 28 periodically extracts a set of information regarding each repeat prescription 18 recorded with the prescription database 26. This information includes: " The patient 12 to whom the prescription relates. 25 & The name of the prescribed medication; * The dosage (if any) of the prescribed medication; and " The number of repeat orders of the medication that may be dispensed under the prescription.

-10- - This information is then compiled as a new prescription record and stored as part of the patient system database 34. The prescription record is then associated with the appropriate patient 12 record in the patient system database 34. In the case of a patient 12 deemed by the system a dependent or partner of another patient 12, the 5 system 10 operates to associate the prescription record with the record of that other patient 12. As a patient's 12 number of repeats is only changed once medication is actually dispensed by the pharmacist 14 through the prescription database 26, the periodic acquisition of repeat prescription 18 information from the prescription database 26 10 ensures that an acceptable leve of accuracy regarding the number of repeats available to a patient 12 is presented at any point in time. Returning to the patient's 12 experience with the system 10, the patient 12 is then redirected to-ordering screen 42. Ordering screen 42 displays all of the patients 12 forming part of the record in the 15 patient system database 34 associated with the entered e-mail address. Underneath each patient's 12 name is their current prescription information 44. The prescription information 44 represents the associated prescription records for that patient 12 in the patient system database 34. Prescription information 44 is presented as a table, The first column of the table 20 contains details of the name and quantity of the prescription medication concerned. The second column indicates the number of repeats of that medication which remain for the indicated patient. The final column comprises is an ordering column 46. Each row of the ordering column contains a checkbox 48. The checkbox 48 has a default status of unchecked. 25 If the patient wishes to order any of the medication listed, the patient 12 operates to check each checkbox 48 associated with the desired medication(s). The patient 12 then presses the "Submit" control button 50a to confirm the order. However, if the patient 12 changes their mind in respect of any particular order, they may operate to uncheck the checkbox 48 associated with the medication no longer 30 desired to be ordered. To save time, the patient 12 may also press the "Reset" control button 50b to reset each checkbox displayed to its unchecked state: -11 When the patient 12 has confirmed their order by pressing the "Submit" control button 50a, the patient 12 is redirected to the delivery screen 51. The delivery screen 51 is shown in. Figure 3. As is shown in this figure, the delivery screen has a three column table 52 displayed centrally thereabout. 5 The second column of the table 52 indicates the name and dosage of the prescription medication being ordered. The first column indicates the name of the patient for whom that medication and dosage has been prescribed. The third column comprises a control button 54 for each row in the table 52. If the patient 12 presses a control button 54, the order for the prescription medication 10 the subject of the row associated with the pressed control button 54 is removed. In this manner, the patient 12 is asked to review the order and make sure that all orders for repeat prescription medication are actually desired. In a similar manner, if the patient 12 has not ordered all of the prescription medication desired, the patient 12 may return to the ordering screen 42 by way of the "Go Back" 15 control button 56. Underneath the table 52, the patient 12 is able to choose their desired delivery method. The patient 12 chooses the desired delivery method by selection of the appropriate radio button 58. In this embodiment, the patient 12 has the delivery choices of pick up from the pharmacy 14 or express delivery. 20 If the patient 12 selects the radio button 58 indicating that the patient 12 will pick up the order, the patient 12 is prompted to enter the date and time of anticipated collection from the drop down boxes 60 provided. Alternatively, if the patient 12 selects the radio button 58 indicating that the order should be delivered, the patient is prompted to enter the date of delivery only from the drop down boxes 60 provided. This is because the 25 pharmacy 14 sets the delivery times according to their own schedules. Once the patient 12 is happy with the order, including the desired delivery method and date/time combination (as applicable), the patient 12 confirms the order by pressing the "Confirm" action button 62.

-12 Pressing the "Confirm" action button 62 refers the patient to the confirmation screen 64. The confirmation screen 64 provides full details of the order to the patient as shown in Figure 5. At the same time as the patient 12 is redirected to the confirmation screen 64, the web 5 server 28: e compiles the order and stored it as a new record in an order database 36; and a sends an order e-mail 40 to the patient 12 at their designated e-mail address providing details of the order as shown on the confirmation screen 64. The order e-mail 40, while sent by the web server 28, is formatted such that the reply e 10 mail address is the e-mail address of the pharmacy 14 with whom the repeat prescription 18 has been left. At the pharmacy 14 the desktop client 24 runs in the taskbar area of a dispensing computer 22. At regular intervals, the desktop client 24 checks for new records in the order database 36. When new records are found, a pop-up alert window 66 is created 15 and displayed to the pharmacist 20. The alert window 66 comprises an order statement 68, an order summary 70 and control buttons 72. The order statement 68 indicates how many orders remain to be filled by the pharmacist 20. The order summary 70 provides a summary of the order to be filled, including the date and time (where applicable) for delivery. 20 Control buttons 72a, 72b allow the pharmacist 20 to navigate through the orders to be filled. Thus, when either control button 72a, 72b is pressed, the order summary 70 is updated to reflect the next order to be filled as relevant to the control button 72a, 72b pressed. On filling an order, the pharmacist 20 navigates to the appropriate order using control 25 buttons 72a, 72b. Once at the appropriate order, the pharmacist 20 presses control button 72c. Pressing the control button 72c causes the desktop client 24 to mark the corresponding record for that order in the order database 36 as filled. The desktop client 24 then operates to update the order statement 68 to indicate the new quantity of orders to be filled by the pharmacist 20.

-13 If the order as filled is to be picked up, the pharmacist 20 stores the medication the. subject of the order in an appropriate place until the anticipated date and time of collection. Alternatively, if the order is to be delivered, the pharmacist 20 either distributes the medication the subject of the order to the deliverer (not shown) or, if 5 delivery is not required at the time of filling the order, in an appropriate place until the order is required to be delivered. Once the patient 12 has logged on using the manner described above, future orders may be placed with the system 10 through accessing the website 30 and entering their e-mail address and password in the required authentication section thereof. The same 10 applies to new patients 12 who have been deemed a partner or dependent of an existing patient 12 (except in this case the e-mail address and password required for authentication must be that of the existing patient 12). It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiment described. In particular, the following modifications and 15 improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention: While the system 10 as described operates through two separate programs, this is a reflection of the current practical situation for most pharmacies. There is no reason why a new pharmacy system could not be produced which integrates the functionality of both programs 20 * The patient 12 need not access the system 10 by way of a web browser on a computer 16. The patient 12 could, for instance, access the system 10 by way of a web browser on a mobile phone. Alternatively, dedicated application programs adapted to run on a computer or an appropriately equipped mobile phone may allow the patient 12 access to the system 10. 25. * The prescription information extracted by the web server 28 may be subject to qualifications. For instance, only details of prescriptions 18 issued in the prior twelve (12) month period may be extracted from the prescription database 26. Alternatively, or in combination, where a prescription 18 has an expiry date, only details of those prescriptions 18 not expired may be 30 extracted from the prescription database 26.

-14 In situations where the same medication and dosage have been prescribed to the patient 12 through multiple prescriptions 18, the system 10 may operate to sum the number of repeats available to the patient 12 across the multiple prescriptions 18. When the patient 12 then accesses the ordering screen 42, 5 the patient 12 is then presented with this sum value as the number of repeats available for that particular medication and dosage combination. * Furthermore, the prescription information 44 shown as part of the ordering screen may have a further column inserted between the second column showing the aggregated number of repeat prescriptions available to the 10 patient for the specified medication, and the ordering column 46. This additional column is then used to show the earliest date of expiry of any of the aggregated repeat prescriptions available to the patient for that particular medication * In an alternative configuration, the number of repeat prescriptions available to 15 the patient for a specified medication are not aggregated, but rather shown as separate rows within the prescription information 44. In this configuration, a further column as described in the previous bullet point may also be included to show the date of expiry of each individual repeat prescription. As this version expressly indicates to the patient the reason why the total number of 20 repeats may suddenly drop significantly, this' approach is preferred to that described in the previous bullet point. * While the above system 10 has been described in the context of a single pharmacy 14, the system 10 can be modified to be used with multiple pharmacies 14 as would be known to the person skilled in the art. Where the 25 system 10 is so modified: a The system may need to accommodate situations where the patient 12 has repeat prescriptions 18 recorded with more than one pharmacy 14. This may therefore necessitate the system 10 providing the patient 12 with split details of their prescriptions 18 according to 30 pharmacy 14 when seeking to order repeat medication. Alternatively, the prescription information 44 may need to be presented as a table with an additional column indicating the pharmacy 14 holding the repeat prescription. o Care needs to be taken to ensure that in situations where the patient 12 retains the prescription and takes it between pharmacies 18, such 5 as when travelling, the system 10 operates to identify the prescription 18 as the same prescription 18 rather than two separate prescriptions 18. * The system 10 may be implemented using alternative sign-up and/or authentication procedures. Alternatively, while privacy issues may arise from 10 such an action, it is also possible to operate the system without sign-up or authentication procedures. - The system 10 may be implemented such that identification of new patients 12 is based on an alternative communication identifier to the patient's 12 e mail address. For instance, the system could be modified to allow 15 identification of a new patient 12 based on their mobile phone number or SkypeT" name. & The prescription information 44 may be presented as a table having an additional column indicating the cost.of the medication being ordered. This costing information can be made with reference to cost tables for such 20 medication at the pharmacy 14 concerned. As a further. enhancement to such a configuration, the system 10 may then also allow for on-line payment of any order placed through the system 10. * As a further expansion on the system as described in the previous bullet point, the system 10 may further be utilised in a manner that allows the 25 patient 12 to order non-repeat prescription medication also available from the pharmacy. Such items include cosmetics, baby equipment, and healthcare equipment. Such products may be ordered through the use of a shopping basket arrangement as would be well known to the person skilled in the art. In place of checkboxes 48 as a means of indicating which prescription 30 medication is to be ordered, the patient 12 may be prompted to enter the quantity of each medication to be dispensed. . In such a configuration, the -16 default quantity to be ordered for any medication would be zero. Setting the quantity may be achieved by inputting the desired number directly, or by use of control buttons to adjust the quantity indicated. e In situations where a patient 12 has dependents and a partner using the 5 same e-mail address, the details of the patient, dependent or partner may be omitted from the ordering .screen 42 if the patient, dependent or partner (as appropriate) has no associated repeat prescription records in the patient system database 34. * At the time of deposit of a repeat prescription 18, a patient 12 may request 10 that the repeat prescription not be incorporated as part of the system 10. In such situations, the prescription database 26 may appropriately flag the record reflective of that repeat prescription 18. The web server 28 would then operate to exclude all such flagged records during the. extraction process mentioned above. 15 . Where the patient 12 requests delivery of the order, the patient 12 may be requested to further provide a time period when they would like the order delivered, For instance, the patient 12 may be able to choose between having the order delivered in the morning, or between 8am and 10am on the date specified. 20 a The patient 12 may be excluded from setting certain dates and/or times for pickup or delivery of an order In such a manner, the patient 12 can be prevented from seeking to pickup or have delivered medication outside of pharmacy opening times or delivery windows. * The system 10 may also have minimum preparation time rules set for specific 25 pharmaceuticals. In such situations, the patient 12 may be prevented from indicating that an order containing one or more of these pharmaceuticals will be picked up on a date and time before the longest minimum preparation time has expired. * in situations where multiple patients. 12 are associated with a single e-mail 30 address, one or more of the patients 12 associated with the e-mail address may have their prescription medication information protected by means of a -17 further authentication process. In this manner, such information will only be visible to the patient 12 accessing the system 10 if the further authentication process is successfully completed a The system 10 may be expanded to provide reminders to the patient 12 when 5 it is expected that they would be running low on one or more of their repeat prescription information. Various methods for anticipating when a patient may run low on their repeat prescription medication would be apparent to the person skilled in the art and therefore will not be discussed further here, excepting the following method: 10 o On a patient placing an order for a repeat prescription, the system assumes that the patient has run out of the associated medication or will have run out by the date and time that the order is to be picked up or delivered and thus sets a flay representative of the patient's assumed amount of medication in their possession to zero. When the 15 patient picks up the medication, the system operates to increment this flag by the amount ordered. At preordained periods, this flag is decremented according to the patient's prescribed dosage for that period (ie. if the patient is prescribed two pills every twelve hours and the preordained period is twenty four hours, the assumed amount to 20 be in the patient's possession will be the previous flag value minus four). A reminder is then sent when, at further pre-ordained times, the system recognises that the flag amount is less than a set threshold. The set threshold may be determined by the pharmacist or by the patient themselves. The threshold set may be a further function of the 25 prescribed dosage (ie. if the patient wishes a reminder three days before they are due to run out of the medication, the threshold is equal to three times the patient's prescribed dosage (as calculated on a twenty four hour basis)). a The embodiment described indicates one way by which the orders to be filled 30 are displayed to the pharmacist 20. Other methods would just as easily be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

-18 * The embodiment described indicates one way by which the orders filled by the pharmacist 20 can be marked as such- Other .methods would just as easily be apparent to the person skilled in the art. * The desktop client 24 may operate to display unfilled orders to the pharmacist 5 according to certain ranking criteria. For instance, orders may be ranked: o according to time placed with the web server 28; o according to indicated pick up/delivery time; or o anticipated time to prepare the pharmaceutical in question relative to the indicated pick up/delivery time. 10 * The desktop client 24 may also operate not to include in the list of orders to be filled certain orders for pharmaceuticals with a shelf-life until a pre specified time In this manner, the system 10 can prevent the pharmacist 20 from preparing a pharmaceutical early and thus reducing the effective shelf life of the pharmaceutical for a patient 12. 15 * The pop-up alert window 66 may provide details of an order as placed by the patient 12 or according to each person forming part of the order. Thus, in the example given in the Figures, the pop-up alert window 66 may include the order details for Allan Smith and Judy Smith together. Alternatively, the pop up alert window 66 may provide the order details for Allan Smith alone and it 20 is for the pharmacist 20 to navigate using control buttons 72a, 72b to get details of the order for Judy Smith. * The pop-up alert window 66 may include a further control button to allow the pharmacist 20 to see all repeat prescription medication for the patient(s) 12 concerned as recorded in the patient system database 34. 25 * The system 10 may be expanded to allow reports to be generated, such as logs of all repeat prescriptions 18 ordered through the system within a given time period (such as day/week/month). Yet other reports as would be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art may also be generated by the system 10.

-19 The system may operate to provide to the pharmacist 20 the prescription number as the means of identifying the name and dosage of the medication to be dispensed. Furthermore, the features described in the above embodiment and the additional 5 features mentioned above may be combined to form yet additional embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention-

Claims (44)

1. A system for a patient to order repeat prescription medication from a pharmacy comprising:, a communications device associated with the patient; and 5 an order processor; where the patient selects at least one of the repeat prescription medication from the list of repeat prescription medication presented to them by way of the communication device and, on confirming their selection, the order processor compiles information regarding the confirmed order and passes the information to 10 the pharmacy for fulfilment.

2. A system according to claim 1, where the order processor is operable at predetermined time intervals only to extract a set of predefined information regarding each prescription entered into a prescription system within a given timeframe, the extracted set of predefined information being the basis for the list of 15 repeat prescription medication.

3. A system according to claim 2,.where the order processor is further operable only to extract a set of predefined information regarding each prescription in the prescription system that has not expired.

4. A system according to any one of claims to 3, where the order processor is further 20 operable to extract a set of predefined information regarding each prescription in the prescription system not flagged as private.

5. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, where the set of predefined information includes: the name of the patient for whom the medication has been prescribed; a unique communication identifier for the patient; and at least one of the 25 following: the name of the prescribed medication; the dosage of the prescribed medication; the cost of the prescribed medication; prescription number; and the number of repeats prescribed.

6. A system according to claim 5, where the order processor, on extracting the set of predefined information for each new repeat prescription, checks the name of the 30 patient to whom the prescription has been issued against a patient database and if -21 the patient is not recorded in the patient database, initiate contact with the patient through the unique communication identifier so as to authenticate their right to access the system and, if so authenticated, to record the patient's details in the patient database. 5

7. A system according to claim 6, where the order processor authenticates the user by sending an authentication message to the patient containing a generated password by way of the unique communication identifier and verifying patient entered logon and password details by comparing the same against the unique communication identifier and generated password. 10

8. A system according to claim 5, where the order processor, on extracting the set of predefined information for each new repeat prescription, checks the name of the patient to whom the prescription has been issued against a patient database and, if the patient. is not recorded in the patient database, to further check whether the unique communication identifier for the patient has been recorded for a patient in the 15 patient database and, if so, the order processor operates to associate the new patient's details as a partner or dependent of the patient with the patient record in the patient database containing the same unique communication identifier.

9. A system according to claim 8, where the order processor operates to initiate a secondary authentication process where the patient seeks to view and/or order 20 repeat prescription medication in the name of a patient associated as a partner or dependent of that patient.

10.A system according to any one of claims 5 to 9, where the unique communication identifier is one of the following: e-mail address; Skype T " user name; mobile phone number. 25

11.A system according to any one of claims 5 to 10, where the order processor operates to send a confirmation message by way of the unique communication identifier on confirmation of the order.

12.A system according to any preceding claim, where the patient is required to enter the amount of repeats of each prescribed medication to be the subject of the order. 30

13.A system according to any preceding claim, where the patient indicates whether the order is to be picked up by the patient or delivered to them. -22

14.A system according to claim 13, where the patient further indicates the approximate time when the order is to be picked up or delivered, as appropriate.

15.A system according to any preceding claim, where the order processor operates to sum the number of repeats for identical medication taken from multiple repeat 5 prescriptions

16.A system according to any preceding claim, where the order processor operates to pass on the information to the pharmacy by way of a notification message that summarises the confirmed order

17.A system according to claim 16, where the notification message includes a summary 10 of the number of orders still to be fulfilled by the pharmacy.

18.A system according to claim 16 or claim 17, where a staff member of the pharmacy is able to navigate through each order to be fulfilled and the sequence in which the orders are displayed to the staff member is based on one or more of the following factors: 15 the date and time of collection or delivery; the date and time the order was placed; the anticipated preparation time for the prescription medication the subject of the order; and/or the expected shelf life of the prescription medication the subject of the order. 20

19.A system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, where the notification message is a pop-up window.

20.A system according to any preceding claim, where the order processor is operable to send a reminder message to the patient to order a repeat of a prescribed medication by way of the communication device when the patient is predicted by the 25 order processor to soon run out of that prescription medication.

21.A system according to claim 20, where the order processor predicts that a patient will soon run out of a prescription medication as a function of the patient's prescribed dosage of that prescription medication. -23

22.A system according to any preceding claim, where the order processor is further operable to allow the patient to order non-prescription. items in addition to their repeat prescription order.

23.A system according to any preceding claim, where the order processor is further 5 operable to initiate a procedure to accept payment for the confirmed order.

24.A system according to any preceding claim, where the communications device is one of the following: a computer having internet access; a mobile phone having internet access; any other internet-enabled communications device.

25.A system according to any preceding claim, where the order processor is further 10 operable to communicate to the communications device the expiry date of each repeat prescription for each medication available to the patient and the communications device is operable to show to the patient either: the earliest expiry date of such repeat prescriptions; or the expiry date of each of the repeat prescriptions separately. 15

26.A method for ordering repeat prescription medication from a pharmacy comprising the steps of: presenting a patient with a list of repeat prescription medication by way of a communications device; receiving from the communications device information regarding a confirmed 20 order of selected repeat prescription medication from the list; and compiling the information into a confirmed order and passing that information.to the pharmacy for fulfilment.

27.A method according to claim 26, further including the step of extracting a set of predefined information regarding each prescription entered into a prescription 25 system within a given timeframe, the extracted set of predefined information being the basis for the list of repeat prescription medication.

28.A method according to claim 27, further including the step of checking each set of predefined information regarding each prescription in the prescription system for an expiry date, and extracting the set of predefined information if the prescribed 30 information indicates that the prescription has not expired. -24

29.A method according to claim 27 or 28, further including the step of checking each set of predefined information regarding each prescription in the prescription system for a privacy flag and extracting the set of predefined information if the prescribed information indicates that the prescription is not private. 5

30.A method according to claim 29, where, on extracting the set of predefined information for each new repeat prescription, includes the further steps of: checking the name of a patient to whom the prescription has been issued against a patient database; and if the patient is not recorded in the patient database, initiating contact with the 10 patient through a unique communication identifier so as to authenticate their right to access the system and, if so authenticated, to record the patient's details in the patient database.

31 .A method according to claim 30, where the step of authenticating a patient's right to access the system includes the substeps of: 15 sending an authentication message to the patient containing a generated password by way of the unique communication identifier; and verifying patient entered logon and password details by comparing the same against the unique communication identifier and generated password.

32.A method according to claim 30, further including the step of checking whether the 20 unique communication identifier for the patient has been recorded for a patient in the patient database and, if so, associating the new patient's details as a partner or dependent of the patient with the patient record in the patient database containing the same unique communication identifier.

33.A method according to claim 32, further including the step of initiating a secondary 25 authentication process where the patient seeks to view and/or order repeat prescription medication in the name of a patient associated as a partner or dependent of that patient.

34.A method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, including the further step of sending a confirmation message to the patient by way of the unique communication 30 identifier on confirmation of the order. -25

35.A method according to any one of claims 26 to 34, further including the step of receiving the amount of repeats of each prescribed medication to be the subject of the order.

36.A method according to any one of claims 26 to 35, further including the step of 5 receiving an indication whether the order is to be picked up by the patient or delivered to them.

37.A method according to any claim 36, further including the step of receiving an indication of the approximate time when the order is to be picked up or delivered as, appropriate. 10

38.A method according to any one of claims 26 to 37, further including the step of summing the number of repeats for identical medication taken from multiple repeat, prescriptions.

39.A method according to any one of claims 26 to 38, further including the step of indicating to the pharmacy the number of orders still needed to be fulfilled. 15

40.A method according to claim 39, further including the step of allowing navigation through each order to be fulfilled according to a sequence based on one or more of the following factors the date and time of collection or delivery; the date and time the order was placed: 20 the anticipated preparation time for the prescription medication the subject of the order; and/or the expected shelf life of the prescription medication the subject of the order.

41.A method according to any one of claims 26 to 40, further including the step of sending a reminder message to the patient to order a repeat of a prescribed 25 medication by way of the communication device when the patient is predicted to soon run out of that prescription medication.

42.A method according to claim 41, including the substep of predicting when a patient will soon run out of a prescription medication as a function of the patient's prescribed dosage of the prescription medication. -26

43-A method according to any one of claims 26 to 42, further including the step of communicating details of the epiry date of each repeat prescriptionfor each medication available to the patient to the communications device for the communications device to show to the patient either: the earliest expiry date of such 5 repeat prescriptions; or the expiry date of each of the repeat prescriptions separately.

44.A computer readable medium having software recorded thereon that when executed performs the method according to any one of claims 26 to 43, 10-