System and method for drug management

A system for drug inventory management, said system comprising:

• a first data processor in connection with a drug distribution center;
• a first drug inventory management software program in connection with said first data processor;
• a second data processor in connection with a health care provider;
• a second drug inventory management software program in connection with said second data processor;
• a low unit measure dose package including contents of a particular variety of drug, said package including at least one bar code including information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer's lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, and the number of drugs within said package, whereby the information the size of said package, and the number of drugs within said package, whereby the information gathered from scanning said bar code is entered into said first and said second software programs;
• an interface between said first data processor and said second data processor to facilitate electronic communication and data sharing therebetween;
• a drug information collection unit adapted to obtain drug information from the bar code on said package, said drug information collection unit adapted to electronically communicate the drug information to said first and said second software programs;
• wherein said drug distribution center maintains an inventory of drug purchased by said health care provider and warehouse said purchased drugs at said drug distribution center while periodically delivering purchased drug to said health care provider in accordance with levels of need of said health care provider as indicated by said second drug inventory management software program.

A method for drug distribution to health care providers, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an automated drug dispensing machine comprising a plurality of drawers wherein access to each of said drawers is controlled;
• providing a first drug inventory management software program in connection with a drug distribution center;
• providing a second drug inventory management software program in connection with a health care provider;
• providing a low unit measure dose packaging including contents of a particular variety of drug;
• applying a bar code onto said packaging, wherein said bar code includes information pertaining to one or more of the group consisting of the drug manufacturer's lot number from which the drug within said package was obtained, the NDC of the drug within said package, the expiration date of the drug within said package, the type of drugs within said package, the dose of the drugs within said package, the size of said package, and the number of drugs within said package;
• scanning said bar code with a drug information collection unit to thereby cause data from said bar code to enter at least one of said first program of said second program;
• and
• providing a computer interface between said first software program and said second software program to facilitate electronic communication and data sharing there between.

A method for drug inventory management, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a package containing at least one drug;
• applying a bar code on said package, said bar code including information relative to said drug;
• providing a computer at a health care provider, said computer being adapted for storing said drug information and maintaining drug counts;
• providing one or more automated drug dispensing machines at a location at the health care provider, said automated drug dispensing machines being in electronic communication with said computer;
• scanning said bar code with a drug information collection unit adapted to obtain drug information from said bar code;
• communication the drug information from said drug information collection unit to said computer;
• whereas said system, including said computer, said automated drug dispensing machines, and said drug information collection unit, records drug received by said health care provider, records drugs dispensed to patients at said health care provider, and records an ongoing inventory of drugs stored at said health care provider;
• and
• wherein said automated drug dispensing machine comprises a cabinet including a plurality of drawers with pockets wherein each pocket holds a particular type of drug and wherein said cabinet electronically controls access to each of said drawers.

A system for health care supply distribution comprising:

• a package containing at least one health care supply, said package further including information thereon relative to said supply;
• a computer at a health care provider, said computer adapted for storing said supply information and maintaining supply counts;
• one or more automated supply dispensing machines at a location at the health care provider, said automated supply dispensing machines comprising a cabinet including a plurality of drawers wherein said cabinet electronically controls access to each of said drawers and wherein said automated supply dispensing machines are in electronic communication with said computer;
• one or more supply information collection units adapted to obtain supply information from said package, said supply information collection units adapted to communicate the supply information to said computer;
• whereas said system, including said computer, said automated supply dispensing machines, and said supply information collection units, records supplies received by said health care provider, records supplies dispensed to patients at said health care provider, and records an ongoing inventory of supplies stored at said health care provider.