Modular multi-compartment drug dispensing apparatus

A modular dispensing apparatus for dispensing articles comprising:

• a hub having a plurality of docking stations;
• and
• a plurality of cartridges for holding the articles to be dispensed;
• each cartridge being detachably coupled to one docking station of the hub, the plurality of cartridges surrounding the hub, each cartridge having an openable lid or door to provide access to an interior compartment of the cartridge for holding the articles;
• a first detector for detecting whether the lid or door is in an open position or closed position;
• a second detector for detecting whether each of the plurality of cartridges is coupled to a proper docking station;
• and
• wherein at least one of the hub and the cartridge includes electronics including at least a power source, a processor, memory, and a communications module configured to transmit data to an external device.

A method for dispensing articles to a user comprising the steps of:

• filling an interior compartment of a modular cartridge with the articles to be dispenser;
• attaching the modular cartridge to a hub that is configured to be detachably attached to a plurality of modular cartridges;
• and
• alerting the user to open a respective modular cartridge at a select day and time according to a personal dispensing regimen of the user.