Pill dispensing system

A method of filling a prescription comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a filling workstation area that includes a shelving unit and plurality of bulk containers on the shelving unit, the shelving unit having a plurality of receptacles for holding respective bulk containers, each bulk container holding a bulk amount of pills to be dispensed, each container including indicia identifying the container or pills contained therein;
• b) having a printer located inside the filling workstation area for printing a prescription label;
• c) receiving a record of prescription information from a computer for a prescription to be filled, the record including at least drug and quantity information;
• d) providing a pill bottle of a selected size to the workstation area and next to the printer using a computer-controller robotic arm;
• e) selecting one of the bulk containers, verifying that the selected bulk container includes pills corresponding to the prescription to be filled and, using the robotic arm to grasp the bulk container, removing the bulk container from its respective receptacle and placing the container on a pill counter;
• f) having the printer print a prescription label for the prescription to be filled;
• g) placing the prescription label on the pill bottle while inside the filling workstation area and before step “h”;
• and
• h) wherein, only if verification in step “e” is confirmed, proceeding to dispense the correct number of pills from the bulk container into the pill bottle.

A method of automatically filling a prescription using a station that includes a label printer and applier, a plurality of containers and a plurality of receptacles for holding the containers, each container enabling a number of pills to be dispensed therefrom, a counter, a pill bottle dispenser, and a robot for moving said pill bottles and said containers within said station, said method comprising automatically:

• moving a selected container to said counter;
• moving a selected pill bottle from said pill bottle dispenser to said printer and applier;
• printing and applying a label to said selected pill bottle;
• moving the labeled pill bottle to said counter;
• dispensing a number of pills from said selected container to said labeled pill bottle;
• removing said labeled pill bottle from said counter;
• and
• removing said selected container from said counter.

A method of automatically filling a prescription comprising automatically:

• moving a selected container between its receptacle and a counter;
• moving a selected pill bottle among a pill bottle dispenser, a label and applier, said counter, and an output conveyor;
• printing and applying a label to said selected pill bottle with said label and applier;
• and
• dispensing a number of pills from said selected container to said labeled pill bottle with said counter.