System and method for high-volume filling of pharmaceutical prescriptions

A method of dispensing first and second filled pharmaceutical vials into a receptacle in a high-volume pharmacy, comprising the steps of:

• (a) filling a first vial with a medicament with an automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine;
• (b) delivering the first filled pharmaceutical vial from the automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine to a first receiving compartment of a vial accumulator configured to hold multiple pharmaceutical vials, the vial accumulator having a release member configured to move between first and second positions to selectively stage or release vials from the first receiving compartment, the release member being in the first position to stage the first filled pharmaceutical vial;
• (c) filling a second vial with a medicament with the automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine;
• (d) conveying the receptacle to a receiving position adjacent to the vial accumulator;
• (e) moving the release member to the second position to release the first pharmaceutical vial from the first receiving compartment into the receptacle;
• and
• (f) delivering the second filled pharmaceutical vial to the receptacle through the first receiving compartment as the release member is in the second position to enable the second filled pharmaceutical vial to travel through the first receiving compartment without being staged.

A system for dispensing medicaments in vials in a high-volume pharmacy, comprising:

• an automated pharmacy dispensing machine configured to dispense filled vials of medicaments;
• a conveyor system configured to convey a receptacle near the automated pharmacy dispensing machine;
• and
• a vial accumulator positioned to receive filled vials from the automated pharmacy dispensing machine and deliver filled vials to the receptacle, the vial accumulator having a plurality of receiving compartments for receiving vials from the automated pharmaceutical dispensing machine, the vial accumulator further configured to selectively deliver vials from a first one of the plurality of receiving compartments while preventing delivery of vials from the remainder of the plurality of receiving compartments.