Automatic packager for pharmaceuticals

An automatic packager for pharmaceuticals comprising:

• a plurality of cartridges configured to dispense a plurality of pharmaceuticals;
• a receptacle configured to receive the plurality of pharmaceuticals from the plurality of cartridges;
• a packaging unit configured to receive the plurality of pharmaceuticals from the receptacle and form a pouch;
• a deflator configured to remove air from the pouch formed by the packaging unit;
• a valve mechanism adjacent to the receptacle configured to selectively block a path between the receptacle and the packaging unit;
• a sensor configured to detect an obstruction in the path;
• and
• an electronic processor in communication with the sensor and the valve mechanism configured to provide an alert in response to determining that an obstruction is present in the path.

A method for packaging pharmaceuticals using an automatic packager, the method comprising:

• providing a packaging unit of the automatic packager, the packaging unit including a receptacle configured to receive a plurality of pharmaceuticals;
• providing a plunger disposed movable between a lowered position and a raised position through the receptacle, the plunger defining a path between the lowered position and the raised position;
• providing a sensor configured to detect an obstruction in the path;
• dispensing pharmaceuticals for a pouch, using the packaging unit, to the receptacle based on prescription information;
• moving the plunger to the raised position to deliver the pharmaceuticals to the pouch;
• determining, using the sensor, whether the obstruction is present in the path,
• moving the plunger to the lowered position in response to determining the obstruction is not present in the receptacle,
• providing an alert in response to determining that the obstruction is present in the path,
• receiving an indication that the obstruction has been cleared,
• determining, using the sensor, whether the obstruction is present in the path, in response to receiving an indication that the obstruction has been cleared, and
• in response to determining the obstruction is still present in the receptacle, providing a second alert.