Automated medication bagger system, methods, and apparatus

A packaging apparatus for a medication bagger system, the packaging apparatus comprising:

• a processor configured to receive patient medication information, at least some of the patient medication information being indicative of a number of medication containers to be shipped together;
• a main frame;
• a loading station including a plurality of articulable fingers, at least one bag gripper, and a sealing mechanism;
• and
• a bag transport mechanism affixed to the main frame and configured to receive a plurality of bags, wherein the bag transport mechanism cooperates with a motor used to transport at least one of the plurality of bags to at least the loading station,
• wherein the processor is configured to:
• cause the plurality of articulable fingers and the at least one bag gripper to engage a leading bag of the plurality of bags to enable medication documentation and at least one medication container to be placed therein,
• verify, using data from at least one sensor, that medication containers corresponding to the patient medication information are correctly placed in the leading bag, and
• after a number of the medication containers placed in the leading bag matches the number of medication containers specified in the patient medication information, cause the at least one bag gripper to prepare the leading bag for sealing by moving away from the leading bag pulling the leading bag taut.