Pharmaceutical dispensing system and associated method

An automation apparatus for dispensing individually packaged products, the apparatus comprising:

• a first and a second storage module each adapted to store a plurality of products each contained in an individual package, wherein the first module is adapted to store high demand products having a first frequency demand meeting a first threshold and the second module is adapted to store lower demand products having a second frequency demand meeting a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold;
• a first discharge assembly adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages from the first module of the storage arrangement while maintaining positive physical control, during the selection of each of the selected individual packages;
• a second discharge assembly, being of a different type than the first discharge assembly, the second discharge assembly adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages from the second module of the storage arrangement while maintaining positive physical control, during the selection of each of the selected individual packages;
• a transfer station adapted to receive and hold the individual packages selected from the second discharge assembly while maintaining positive physical control during the transfer to the transfer station, of each of the selected individual packages;
• a conveyor moving along a conveyor path and adapted to transfer the selected individual packages from the first discharge assembly and the transfer station to a designated space on the conveyor, while maintaining positive physical control, during the transfer to the conveyor, of each of the selected individual packages;
• and
• a plurality of buffer repositories in which individual packages are stored in advance of their being assembled,
• wherein each individually packaged product is a medication or a supplement.

A method of dispensing a selection of individually packaged products selected from a plurality of different individual packages, the method comprising:

• assigning a designated space on a conveyor for receiving the selection of individually packaged products;
• moving the designated space on the conveyor along a conveyor path past a first and a second storage module, wherein the first module is adapted to store high demand products having a first frequency demand meeting a first threshold and the second module is adapted to store lower demand products having a second frequency demand meeting a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold;
• retrieving a first subset of the selection of individually packaged products from the first storage module and a second subset of the selection of individually packaged products from the second storage module;
• moving the retrieved first subset of the selection of individually packaged products via a first discharge assembly;
• moving the retrieved second subset of the selection of individually packaged products via a second discharge assembly;
• placing the retrieved first subset of the selection of individually packaged products on the conveyor at the designated space;
• placing the retrieved second subset of the selection of individually packaged products in a transfer station and holding the selection of individually packaged products at the transfer station prior to transferring the selection of individually packaged products to the conveyor;
• and
• placing the retrieved second subset of the selection of individually packaged products on the conveyor at the designated space,
• wherein the individually packaged products do not free-fall during the retrieving, moving, and placing of the retrieved first and second subsets of individually packaged products.

An automation apparatus for dispensing individually packaged medications, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage arrangement adapted to store a plurality of medications each contained in an individual package, wherein the storage arrangement comprises a first and a second module, wherein the first module is adapted to store high demand medications having a first frequency demand meeting a first threshold and the second module is adapted to store lower demand medications having a second frequency demand meeting a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold;
• a first discharge assembly adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages from the first module of the storage arrangement while maintaining positive physical control, during the selection of each of the selected individual packages;
• a second discharge assembly adapted to move selected ones of the individual packages from the second module of the storage arrangement while maintaining positive physical control, during the selection of each of the selected individual packages;
• a transfer station adapted to receive and hold the individual packages selected from the second discharge assembly while maintaining positive physical control, during the transfer to the transfer station, of each of the selected individual packages;
• a conveyor adapted to receive the selected individual packages from the first discharge assembly and the transfer station while maintaining positive physical control, during the transfer to the conveyor, of each of the selected individual packages.