System and method for reliably dispensing pre-packaged pharmaceuticals

A cartridge for a pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:

• a frame with opposed sidewalls and having a floor and a base, the floor positioned above the base and including a routing hole;
• a plurality of individually sealed pouches of pharmaceuticals to be dispensed, the pouches formed as an elongate strip, the strip of pouches being wound into a roll over an axle member that extends between the sidewalls of the frame, wherein a free end of the strip extends through the routing hole in the floor and between the floor and the base;
• wherein a brake member is mounted between the floor and the base and is configured to press the strip against the floor or the base to apply a braking force thereto.

A cartridge for a pharmaceutical dispensing system, comprising:

• a frame with opposed sidewalls and having a floor and a base, the floor positioned above the base and including a routing hole;
• a plurality of individually sealed pouches of pharmaceuticals to be dispensed, the pouches formed as an elongate strip, the strip of pouches being wound into a roll over an axle member that extends between the sidewalls of the frame, wherein a free end of the strip extends through the routing hole in the floor and between the floor and the base;
• wherein the frame is formed from a flat blank of sheet material.