AU2007100401A4 - Prescription method and system - Google Patents

Description

P 'j 1 1 3 Paens Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATiON INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: P rescri pt loll lmcIod aind S\'St cmi The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 005257655 2

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N Dispensing System and Apparatus OO Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for medication prescriptions.

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Background of the invention The proliferation of new medications created by advances in pharmacology and the S proliferation of generic substitutions has radically increased the range of medications that may be prescribed by a medical practitioner to a patient. The system and process for dispensing of the increasing array of medications is, however, largely unchanged.

0 Typically, in the present system for dispensing medications the medical provider writes or types the prescription on an approved form, specifying patient information, medication information, prescriber information and also whether the patient belongs to a particular category that qualifies for rebates or concessions for the medication. The script is then presented to a pharmacist who reviews the script, manually re-enters the information and then issues the medication to the patient or the person providing the script. If appropriate, the pharmacist may also issue a form authorising a repeat of the prescription.

Generally, the pharmacist entering the information from the prescription accurately captures the information contained on the prescription. However, inadvertent errors either in data entry or in interpreting the script may lead to the pharmacist issuing an incorrect medication. Alternatively, patients may alter the details of original scripts and/or repeats, for example in an effort to obtain drugs of addiction.

Reference to any background art in the specification is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this background art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this background art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

005257655 3 C Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, disadvantages of prior arrangements.

00 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of printing a prescription, the method comprising the steps of: capturing prescription information selected from the group comprising: Sinformation identifying a patient for whom the prescription is prepared; information identifying a medical practitioner issuing the prescription; and information about items to be dispensed 0 b) encoding the prescription information into a representation in the form of machine-readable indicia; and c) printing the prescription comprising the prescription information in humanreadable form and the machine-readable indicia.

Preferably the machine-readable indicia comprise a two-dimensional barcode.

Preferably the method comprises the steps of encrypting and compressing the data to be encoded in the indicia.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of printing a prescription, the method comprising the steps of: a) capturing prescription information selected from the group comprising: information identifying a patient for whom the prescription is prepared; information identifying a medical practitioner issuing the prescription; and 005257655 4

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N information about items to be dispensed b) capturing additional information descriptive of one or more medical conditions 0_ of the patient; c) encoding the prescription information and additional information into a 5 representation in the form of machine-readable indicia; and d) printing the prescription comprising the prescription information in humanreadable form and the machine-readable indicia.

The information encoded in the machine-readable indicia is preferably compressed and encrypted.

0 According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of dispensing items prescribed on a prescription, the method comprising: a) receiving the prescription having printed thereon prescription information in human-readable form and also encoded in machine-readable indicia; b) scanning the machine-readable indicia to generate electronic data; c) decoding the electronic data to retrieve the prescription information, wherein the prescription data is selected from the group comprising information identifying a patient for whom the prescription is prepared; information identifying a medical practitioner issuing the prescription; and information about items to be dispensed.

The machine-readable indicia may also comprise additional information relating to one or more medical conditions of the patient.

The machine-readable indicia preferably comprise a two-dimensional barcode.

Preferably, the dispensing method comprises the further step of dispensing one or more items dependent on the information decoded from the machine-readable indicia.

005257655 C Preferably, the dispensing method comprises the further step of comparing the decoded data with data held in a database to thereby check the data for exception conditions.

00 Preferably the information encoded in the indicia is compressed and encrypted and the dispensing method comprises the steps of decrypting and decompressing the information.

Preferably, if the prescription authorises a repeat prescription, the dispensing method comprises the further steps of: encrypting prescription information relating to the repeat prescription; encoding the encrypted information into a representation in the form of machine- 0 readable indicia; and printing a repeat authorisation comprising the prescription information in humanreadable form and the machine-readable indicia.

Also described herein is apparatus for performing the described methods.

Also described are computer program products comprising a computer-readable medium having a computer program recorded thereon, for controlling the operation of a data processing apparatus on which the program code executes to perform the described dispensing and prescription methods.

Brief description of the drawings One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an operating environment in which the described arrangements may be implemented; 005257655 6 CFigure 2A is a flow diagram of a method of printing a prescription having information encoded thereon in the form of a barcode; oO Figure 2B shows more detail of the barcode generation step of Figure 2A; Figure 3A shows a flow chart of the dispensing procedure using the barcode printed on the prescription; Figure 3B shows more detail of the step of generating a barcode for printing on a repeat authorisation in the method of Figure 3A; Figure 3C shows more detail of the step of interpreting the barcode in the method of Figure 3A; 0 Figure 4 shows an example of a two-dimensional barcode; Figure 5 shows an example of a standard prescription form; Figure 6 shows an example of a prescription form including a barcode according to the arrangements described herein; Figure 7 shows an example of a standard repeat form; and Figures 8 and 9 show examples of repeat forms with barcodes according to the arrangements described herein.

Brief description of the Appendices The embodiments of the invention are also described with reference to the Appendices, in which: Appendix A shows four examples of data types for use in the prescription barcodes; 005257655 7

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N Appendix B shows examples of information about medical conditions that may be encrypted in the prescription barcodes; and 0_ Appendix C lists a number of dispensing paths that may be followed when a twodimensional barcode has been printed on a prescription or repeat authorisation.

Detailed description of the embodiments Figure 1 illustrates an operating environment in which the arrangements described herein may be implemented. The technology platform 10 of a medical practitioner N includes a printer 12 and computer 14. In the course of a medical consultation, the practitioner or an assistant may enter patient information and details of prescribed 0 medication into the computer 14 using a prescription processing module 16. Information such as patient details may be retrieved from a database 20, which may be a memory within the computer 14 or a memory elsewhere within the technology platform 10 in communication with the computer 14, for example via a local area network.

The computer 14 also includes a barcode processing module 18 that codes relevant information concerning the patient's prescription into machine-readable indicia. In one arrangement the prescription information is encoded into a two-dimensional barcode.

The prescription is printed using printer 12 and includes typed information that may be read by the patient or a pharmacist. In addition, the barcode generated by the barcode processing module 18 is printed on the prescription.

Data may be entered into the computer 14 via a keyboard and mouse, or by other means such as touch screens or a microphone and voice recognition software. The technology platform 10 may include several computers and printers communicating via a local network. The computer 14 has a video display for displaying information to users.

The prescription processing module 16 and barcode processing module 18 are implemented as software code running on the computer 14. The modules are not restricted to any particular software language. Alternatively, specific functions such as the barcode processing may be performed by dedicated processors or circuitry, for 005257655 8 c example an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The module 16 may, for example, be Medical Director (all versions) available from Health Communications Network (HCN).

00 (oo The medical practitioner's technology platform 10 may be in communication with a network 30 such as the Internet. One or more health service servers 32 are also linked to the network 30. The servers 32 may be operated by government health agencies or private health care organisations. The servers may access information stored in data bases 34. The technology platform 10 may, for example, contact the server 32 to obtain billing authorisation.

0 The patient or an agent of the patient presents the printed prescription to a dispenser such as a pharmacist to collect the medication prescribed by the medical practitioner.

The dispenser has a technology platform 40 that includes a barcode reader 44 operable to read the barcode printed on the prescription and to provide the read barcode to computer 46 for further processing. The barcode reader 44 may be a video camera that decodes the barcode and provides the encapsulated data to a software module running on computer 46 that interprets the barcode from the scanned image. Alternatively, the barcode reader may be a scanner that includes decoding software. The decoded software is then provided to computer 46. Such barcode readers may be powered from the keyboard of a PC.

The device/s 44 used by the pharmacist to read and decode the 2D barcodes are available from several manufacturers, for example:- Symbol Technologies DS6608 PSC PowerScan 2D.

The platform 40 also includes a printer 42 that may be used to print labels to apply to the medication provided for the patient. The printer 42 may also print labels to apply to the prescription itself, for example to indicate that the prescription has been dispensed.

The information required to print these labels may be generated by a dispensing application 50 that executes on the computer 46. Data relating to the patient, the 005257655 9 c prescription and the prescribed medication may be stored in or retrieved from database 52.

o00 The technology platform 40 may also communicate with the one or more health service servers 32, for example via the network 30 or a dedicated peer to peer network. Such communication may, for example, authorise rebates on-the cost of the medication from government agencies or private health insurers.

The computer 46 also includes a barcode processing module 48 for generating barcodes. For example, if the prescription authorises a repeat, a repeat authorisation may be printed on printer 42, the authorisation including a barcode generated by the 0 barcode processing module 48. The encoded information may be substantially the same as the information encoded on the prescription by the medical practitioner.

However, as described in more detail below, the pharmacist may amend the information for example to correct errors in the patients name, or to add further information about the patient). In addition, the information encoded on the repeat authorisation indicates how many times the medication has been dispensed.

The module 48 may be used by the dispensing applications 50 available from Cosmos Limited, Dispense 3, QuickScript, Surefire Dispensing, and LOTS. A further software wrapper would be used with the DOS based applications Dispense 3 and Quickscript to allow the products to be able to print and decode the 2D barcodes.

The prescriptions and repeat authorisations printed by the printers 12 and 42 include information in at least two formats. Standard alphanumeric characters provide relevant information in a form easily read by the patient, the pharmacist and the medical practitioner. In addition, information is encoded in the bar code in a form not readily interpreted by humans. The encoded information provides a degree of confidence that there has not been unauthorised alteration of the prescription. Such alterations would require access to the technology for reading, decompressing, decrypting and generating the barcode printed on the prescription.

005257655 N The described system also significantly reduces the amount of data entry required by prior art systems. For example, the dispenser may not need to enter information about the patient into the dispensing application 50, as the required information is oo electronically available from the barcode read by the barcode reader 44.

In addition, the machine-readable indicia make it possible to store information confidentially, in a form not easily viewable by people who handle the prescription. For example, a patient may be pregnant. While this may be relevant to her medical treatment, the patient may not wish the information to be generally known. With the patient's consent, the medical practitioner or dispenser may encode the confidential 0 information in the barcode.

Machine-readable indicia (2D Barcode) A suitable barcode for the described system is DataMatrix ECC200 as specified in the ANSI/AIM BC11 and ISO/IEC 16022 specifications. This is one of the smallest and most dependable barcode symbologies.

ECC200 is the most standard version of data matrix error correction. It supports advanced encoding and error checking with Reed Solomon error correction algorithms. These algorithms allow the recognition of barcodes that are up to damaged.

The barcode size will be 64 x 64 or 72 x 72.

Encoding ASCII The barcode may be read by video cameras as opposed to a scanned laser beam used for reading conventional barcodes. The barcodes can be read in any orientation.

Data Matrix codes can in general store up to 3116 numeric or 2335 alphanumeric characters or up to 1555 bytes of binary information.

A barcode of approximately 35 to 40 millimetres square has been found reliable and should be able to tolerate the types of printers 12, 42 used by medical practitioners and pharmacists.

An example of a two-dimensional bar code 300 is shown in Figure 4.

005257655 11 c The modules 18 and 48 may make use of commercially available software such as 2D barcode component eg. TEC-IT 2D Barcode Component, www.tec-it.com and encryption component eg. Chilkkat Software Encryption Component, www.chilkat.com 00O Generating a new prescription Figure 2A is a flow chart illustrating the method 100 performed using the medical practitioner's technology platform 10 to produce a new prescription. Although a particular sequence of steps is shown, it will be appreciated that some of the steps may be performed in a different sequence or in parallel.

0 In step 102 information concerning the patient is captured by the medical practitioner or an assistant. The information includes the patient's name, address and (for Australia) a Medicare number and Medicare Index. Equivalent information may be required for other jurisdictions. Further information provided in Australia may include a Pharmaceutical Benefits Entitlement Number, and the information may indicate (for example via a cross in a pre-printed box) whether the patient is a Safety Net entitlement card holder or a concessional card holder or Dependant RPBS beneficiary or Safety Net concession cardholder.

Additional information may also be captured. The additional information may include the date of birth, sex and medical condition eg. pregnancy or lactation which could be of significant benefit to the dispensing process. However, depending on relevant privacy requirements, the patient may have to consent to the additional information as currently this type of information is not printed in a human-readable form on the prescription.

Note: Currently in Western Australia it is mandatory to record the patient's date of birth on S8 prescriptions only.

In step 104 information about the prescription is captured. In Australia, the captured information may include Prescription Category Information, such as whether the prescription items are: SPBS or RPBS 005257655 12 N 0 Regulation 24 Authority.

The medical practitioner also determines medication information for the patient (in one o00 arrangement up to 3 items may be placed on one prescription). The medication information includes Drug name (Brand name or generic chemical name) 0 Strength Quantity Frequency 0 0 Number of Repeats authorised Authority number (if required) Indication (via a cross in a pre-printed box) whether brand substitution is allowed.

Although up to three items maybe listed on a prescription, decreasing the amount of information stored in the 2D barcode improves the reliability of the barcode. Reducing the number of items per prescription to one will reduce the amount of information required to be stored in the barcode and increase the reliability.

The added benefits of having only one item per prescription include:- Sreducing a number of work flow issues for pharmacy. For example:o Patient reaching Safety Net Entitlement mid script.

o Reduces error as items are less likely to be misread o Less confusion for patient 1 Original 1 Repeat o Mixture of Reg24 items and non-Reg24 items o One 'Original' per repeat 0 More room for code box label In step 106 prescriber information is captured, including: Name of medical practitioner Practice Address Prescriber number 005257655 13 SPhone number Ct The prescription information is placed in a text string which is provided to the bar code processing module 18.

00 In step 108 an appropriate data type is selected. There are at least two different barcodes required a prescription barcode and a repeat authorisation barcode where in general the medical practitioner uses a prescription barcode and the pharmacy produces the repeat authorisation barcode. The Repeat Barcode may contain the following extra information:- Name and Approval number of the pharmacy issuing the repeat authorisation.

0 0 Number of times the item has already been dispensed (including the original supply). If the original has not been supplied this value is 0.

Original supply details.

The barcode is separated into Type and Data sections. The Type section is not encrypted, and is used to define the type of the Data section. The Data section contains the Prescription or Repeat Authorisation data. The type of the Data section defines:- The encryption method, pass phase etc The compression method The Record structure 0 The Field definition and usage.

The prescription data does not have a set length but is limited by the physical and technical restrictions of the barcode, the space available and the reliability in being read by the barcode reader 44. The data section is encrypted and compressed. All fields are separated by the pipe character.

Appendix A includes examples of different types of barcode. For types 1 and 2 shown in Appendix A, the barcode includes the same information that is printed in humanreadable form on the prescription. The illustrated types 3 and 4 include additional patient information that is not printed otherwise on the prescription. This additional information includes the patient's date of birth, sex, and potentially codes that indicate one or more medical conditions, for example lactation and hypertension.

005257655 N Appendix B shows an example of a list of medical conditions or indications that may be recorded in the barcode.

00 After the type of barcode has been selected, in step 110 the bar code processing module 18 generates the barcode. In this step the data string containing the prescription information is compressed and encrypted. The resulting barcode is added to an 7- electronic description of the prescription document so as to appear at a specified location in the prescription when printed or displayed on a video display. An example of a prescription including a barcode is shown in Figure 6. The barcode is printed on to the Pharmacist Patient (Original) portion of the prescription form. If the prescription 0 contains repeats the then the 'original' portion of the prescription is attached to the back of the repeat authorisation form. This makes the barcode available for the life of the script. The information contained in the barcode is in a compressed encrypted format.

In step 112 the prescription is printed on printer 12. The practitioner signs and dates the prescription, which is generally then given to the patient. The prescription may pass to an agent of the patient before the prescription reaches the pharmacy.

Figure 2B shows further detail of step 110. The bar code processing module 18 module accepts script data 114 from the prescription processing module 16 (also referred to as the clinical application). The script data 114 contains the information to encode into the barcode, a printer handle, dimensions of the barcode and the x, y coordinates to print the barcode on the printer 12.

The 2D software module 18 in step 116 acts to validate the script data 114 by Verifying the structure passed; Verifying the barcode dimensions passed; and Verifying the x, y coordinates passed.

In step 118 the module 18 encrypts and compresses the string in Base 64 mode to produce a ASCII string. In step 120 the ASCII string is encoded into the Data Matrix barcode in ASCII mode to produce the smallest most reliable barcode possible. The printer characteristics eg. printer resolution would be determined so that the barcode 005257655

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,N could be adjusted to print the most reliable barcode possible. In step 112 the barcode is printed at the specified x, y coordinates on the prescription and error codes are returned 00 Method of dispensing using the barcode on a new prescription Figure 3A shows a method 200 for execution by the technology platform 40 of the dispenser.

In step 202 the pharmacist scans the barcode on the prescription using barcode reader 44. Then, in step 204 the barcode processing module 48 interprets the barcode. The 0 data in the barcode is decrypted and decompressed. The interpretation may be done by software running on the computer 46 or in the barcode reader 44. The resulting information is used in the automation of the dispensing process.

The information is used to select or setup the patient, doctor and medication for the dispensing application 50. In most cases it will not be necessary to enter further information unless:- Information in the barcode was entered incorrectly by the practitioner, eg.

incorrect address or spelling An exact match for the patient cannot be found An exact match for the doctor cannot be found An exact match for the medication cannot be found A clinical exception occurs, such as critical drug to drug interaction, drug to medical condition, incorrect dosage.

a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) exception occurs, eg. incorrect number of repeats In step 206 the method checks for exceptions, as outlined below.

The application 50 searches for the patient in the database 52 based on Medicare Number, Name and Address:- 005257655 16

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N 1. If an exact match is found, the application 50 prompts the pharmacist (via a video tdisplay of computer 46) to acknowledge the patient details. eg. Are the patient details correct Y/N? 00 o If Yes is selected (for example by clicking on a displayed graphics button using a mouse) the application 50 then proceeds to select the specified medical practitioner.

o If No is selected the application allows the patient details to be manually _edited. Once corrected the application will proceed to select the specified medical practitioner.

0 2. If an exact patient is not found and is not similar to any patient in the pharmacy database 52, the pharmacy will be prompted to create the new customer. eg. Ok to add new patient Y/N? o If Yes is selected to add, a new patient is created in the database 52 using the information from the 2D barcode.

o If No is selected the application will allow the patient to be manually selected. Once selected the application will proceed.

3. If an exact doctor is not found and is not similar to any doctor in the pharmacy database 52, the pharmacy will be prompted to create the new doctor. eg. Ok to add new doctor Y/N? ?0 o If Yes is selected to add, a new doctor is created using the information from the 2D barcode.

o If No is selected the application will allow the doctor to be manually selected. Once selected the application will proceed.

4. If an exact medication is not found and is not similar to any medication in the pharmacy database 52, the pharmacy will be prompted to select the medication.

o The application will allow the medication to be manually selected. Once selected the application 50 will proceed.

If dispensing the item violates PBS rules, for example the 20 day dispensing rule, the pharmacy will be prompted to cancel dispensing or continue and endorse the script 'Immediate Supply Required'? o If Cancel is selected, the script process terminates.

o If Continue is selected the application will allow the item to be dispensed.

005257655 17 N In step 208 the pharmacist may capture additional information about the patient and enter it into the computer 46. For example, the pharmacist may ask: 00 0 If the patient has any medical conditions, eg. pregnant, lactating 0 The age of the patient 0 If brand substitution is permitted then pharmacy may ask the patient if they wish to substitute the medication for a generic equivalent medication. If the patient agrees to use the generic equivalent the pharmacy will select that medication instead.

To view the Pharmaceutical Benefits Entitlement card.

0 In step 210 the dispensing procedures are performed. Application 1. performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 2. performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 3. performs pricing 4. Performs a check that the item being dispensed matches the item the pharmacist has selected. Scanning a barcode on the medication does this, and the software application 50 then checks whether the scanned barcode matches the barcode listed in the applications database for that drug.

Saves the prescription information to the patient history in database 52.

6. Produces prints the labels to affix to the medication, Prescription Record Form, CodeBox and duplicate label.

7. Produces prints repeats forms if required.

8. Produces prints a receipt if required.

Note: Scanning the item barcode to check the item selected matches the barcode in the database in not mandatory in all states of Australia The pharmacist handles the paperwork as follows:- 1. The code box label/s containing the script serialisation corresponding to the medication/s dispensed is affixed beside the medication description on the Medicare Australia DVA portion of the prescription.

005257655 18 N 2. The duplicate label is affixed to the back of the prescription (known as the Duplicate) on the Pharmacist Patient portion of the prescription.

3. The pharmacist detaches the Pharmacist Patient (Duplicate) section of the prescription from the Medicare Australia DVA portion.

4. If any of the medications dispensed have repeat forms or have been deferred then the pharmacist fixes the Pharmacist Patient (Duplicate) portion of the prescription and relevant repeat forms together (usually stapled to a 'script _folder', advertising for the pharmacy).

If any of the medications dispensed do not have repeat forms or have not been 0 deferred, the pharmacist stores the Pharmacist Patient (Duplicate) portion of the prescription.

6. The patient or agent completes and signs the prescription on the Medicare Australia DVA portion and this is retained by the pharmacist. The signed prescription is then submitted to Medicare Australia with the relevant Pharmacy Claim.

7. The pharmacist gives the medication and any repeat forms and the Pharmacist Patient (Duplicate) portion of the prescription to the patient or agent.

Step 212 of method 200 checks whether a repeat is needed. If no repeat is needed (the No option of step 212), method 200 ends in step 214. If the patient is to receive a repeat !0 (the Yes option of step 2120, the dispensing application 50 encapsulates all the prescription information normally printed on a repeat authorisation into a data string.

This information may include the additional information about the patient captured in step 208.

In step 216 the barcode processing module 48 encrypts and compresses the data string and generates a barcode, which in step 218 is printed on printer 42 and provided to the patient or the patient's agent. Examples of a repeat authorisation including a barcode are shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9.

Figure 3C shows more detail regarding step 204 (interpreting the barcode). Steps 230 and 232 correspond to step 204. The barcode reader provides an electronic version of the barcode. In step 230 the barcode module 48 decrypts and decompresses the information stored in the barcode. In step 232 the module 48 raises a WindowsTM (or 005257655 19 C other application) event to notify the dispensing application 50 that the script data is available.

00 Figure 3B shows more detail of step 216, generating the barcode for printing on the repeat authorisation. Steps 222-226 correspond to step 216. The dispensing application 50 produces script data 220. The module 48 accepts a the data script 220, which is a structure containing the information to encode into the barcode, a windows printer handle, dimensions of the barcode and the x, y coordinates to print the barcode on the printer.

(Ni In step 222 the 2D software module 48 validates the data by:- 0 Verifying the structure passed; Verifying the barcode dimensions passed; and Verifying the x, y coordinates passed.

In step 224 module 48 encrypts and compresses the string in Base 64 mode to produce a ASCII string and in step 226 the ASCII string is encoded into the Data Matrix barcode in ASCII mode to produce the smallest most reliable barcode possible. The printer characteristics eg. printer resolution are determined so that the barcode could be adjusted to print the most reliable barcode possible.

In step 218 the barcode is printed at the specified x, y coordinates on the repeat authorisation and error codes returned.

Method of dispensing using the barcode on a repeat authorisation This process uses a method similar to method 200, but uses the 2D barcode printed on a Repeat Authorisation. If the dispensing occurs at the pharmacy which printed the repeat authorisation, the dispensing application 50 encapsulates all the prescription information normally printed on the repeat authorisation into a 2D barcode, which is printed on the repeat as well. The information contained in the barcode is in a compressed encrypted format. At the dispensing pharmacy using a 2D barcode reader 44 the pharmacist scans the barcode on the repeat authorisation. The application 005257655 c decrypts and decompresses the prescription information stored in the barcode and uses the information as described above to automate the dispensing process.

00 There are a number of paths that may be followed in dispensing prescriptions using the system of Figure 1. These paths are summarised in Appendix C.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

0 It will also be understood that the term "comprises" (or its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term "includes" and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

005257655 N Appendix A: Examples of data types for use in the prescription barcodes Data Type 1 Prescription Version Compression Method BZIP2 00 Encryption Algorithm AES (Rijndael) Cipher Mode Cipher Block Chaining Encoding Mode Base64 Key Length 128 Padding Scheme RFC 1423 Character Set ANSI 0 0 Secret Key SnlCk3r5 (example) S(i) Record Structure Field Description Date Date of Prescription, format DDMMYYYY PBS 1 PBS script, Blank non PBS RPBS 1 RPBS script, Blank RPBS Authority Number Authority Number or Blank for no Authority Number Authority Approval Number Authority Approval Number or Blank for no Authority Approval Number Generic Substitution Not Permitted 1 No Generic Substitution Permitted, Blank Generic Substitution Permitted Prescriber Title Dr etc or Blank Prescriber Given Name Given Name/s Prescriber Surname Surname Prescriber Prescriber Number PBS Prescriber Number Prescriber Phone Number Phone Number including area code Prescriber Address Address Prescriber City City Suburb Prescriber Postcode Postcode Patient Title Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or Blank Patient Given Name Given Name/s Patient Surname Surname Patient Medicare Given Name Given Name/s as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Given name/s are not different from the Patient Given Name 005257655 00 0 Patient Medicare Surname Name Surname as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Surname is not different from the Patient Surname Patient Phone Number Phone Number including area code Patient Address Address Patient City City Suburb Patient Postcode Postcode Patient Pension Number Pension Number, or Blank Patient Pension Expiry Date Expiry date of pension, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient DVA Number Department of Veteran's Affairs Number or Blank Patient DVA Card Type G=Gold, O=Orange, W=White. Multiple codes may be specified or blank Patient DVA Expiry Date Expiry date of DVA, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient Safety Net Number Safety Net Entitlement Number or Blank Patient Medicare Number Medicare Number or Blank Patient Medicare Index Medicare line number or index or Blank Patient Medicare Expiry Medicare Card Expiry Date or blank Rxltem 1 Item Name Item name in full including strength and form eg. ABACAVIR SULFATE TABLET. Alternatively, if the item is an extemporaneous preparation the formula of the preparation.

Rxltem 1- Item Code PBS or RPBS Code and Brand. Format 'nnnnnXbb' where 'nnnnnX' is the 5 and 1 alpha PBS or RPBS medication code and 'bb' is the brand identifier (bb) may also be blank if a brand is not specified.

Example 1: 3393NAF AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg per 5 ml, 100 mL from the manufacturer Alphapharm.

Example2: 3393N AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg per ml, 100mL, manufacturer not specified Blank non PBS RPBS item Rxltem 1 Other Code Reserved for other item identifier either Amfac Chemdata (ACD) number, HCN (Heath Communication Network) number or EAN Article Numbering Code for the item Rxltem 1 Extemporaneous 1=Extemporaneous item, Blank Not Extemporaneous Rxltem 1 Strength The strength of the item. Example 250 mg Rxltem 1 Form The form of the item. Example Capsules, Tablets etc 005257655 00 Rxltem 1 Directions Directions and frequency of use, in free hand or expressed in Sigs or Super Sigs Rxltem 1 Quantity Quantity Required Rxltem 1 Repeats Number of repeats Rxltem 1 Reg24 1 Reg24 or Blank for non Reg24 Rxltem 1 Repeat frequency The repeat frequency if required express in days. Blank if not specified Rxltem 2 Item Name As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2- Item Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Other Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Extemporaneous As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Strength As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Form As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Directions As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Quantity As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Repeats As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Reg24 As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Repeat frequency As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Item Name As defined in RxItem 1 Rxltem 3 Item Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Other Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Extemporaneous As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Strength As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Form As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Directions As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Quantity As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Repeats As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Reg24 As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Repeat frequency As defined in Rxltem 1 005257655 24

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C Data Type 2 Repeat Authorisation Version Compression Method BZIP2 Encryption Algorithm AES (Rijndael) 00 Cipher Mode Cipher Block Chaining Encoding Mode Base64 Key Length 128 Padding Scheme RFC 1423 Character Set ANSI Secret Key r 0 Record Structure Field Description Date Date of Prescription, format DDMMYY PBS 1 PBS script, Blank non PBS RPBS 1 RPBS script, Blank RPBS Authority Number Authority Number or Blank for no Authority Number Authority Approval Number Authority Approval Number or Blank for no Authority Approval Number Generic Substitution 1 No Generic Substitution Permitted, Blank Generic Substitution Permitted Times Dispensed Number of times dispensed Original PBS Approval Number Original PBS Approval Number Original Script Number Original Script Number Original Date Original Prescription Date, format DDMMYYYY Issuing PBS Approval Number Issuing PBS Approval Number Issuing Pharmacist Issuing Pharmacist Issuing Date Issuing Date, format DDMMYYYY Repeat Number Serial Number of this Repeat Prescriber Title Dr etc or Blank Prescriber Given Name Given Name/s Prescriber Surname Surname Prescriber Prescriber Number PBS Prescriber Number Prescriber Phone Number Phone Number including area code Prescriber Address Address Prescriber City City Suburb Prescriber Postcode Postcode Patient Title Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or Blank 005257655

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Patient Given Name Given Name/s Patient Surname Surname Patient Medicare Given Name Given Name/s as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Given name/s are not different from the Patient Given Name Patient Medicare Surname Name Surname as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Surname is not different from the Patient Surname Patient Phone Number Phone Number including area code Patient Address Address Patient City City Suburb Patient Postcode Postcode Patient Pension Number Pension Number, or Blank Patient Pension Expiry Date Expiry date of pension, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient DVA Number Department of Veteran's Affairs Number or Blank Patient DVA Card Type G=Gold, O=Orange, W=White. Multiple codes may be specified or blank Patient DVA Expiry Date Expiry date of DVA, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient Safety Net Number Safety Net Entitlement Number or Blank Patient Medicare Number Medicare Number or Blank Patient Medicare Index Medicare line number or index or Blank Patient Medicare Expiry Medicare Card Expiry Date or blank Rxltem 1 Item Name Item name in full including strength and form eg. ABACAVIR SULFATE TABLET. Alternatively, if the item is an extemporaneous preparation the formula of the preparation.

Rxltem 1- Item Code PBS or RPBS Code and Brand. Format 'nnnnnXbb' where 'nnnnnX' is the 5 and 1 alpha PBS or RPBS medication code and 'bb' is the brand identifier (bb) may also be blank if a brand is not specified.

Example 1: 3393NAF AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg per 5 ml, 100 mL from the manufacturer Alphapharm.

Example 2: 3393N AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg per ml, 100 mL, manufacture not specified Blank non PBS RPBS item Rxltem 1 Other Code Reserved for other item identifier either Amfac Chemdata (ACD) number, HCN (Heath Communication Network) number or EAN Article Numbering Code for the item Rxltem 1 Extemporaneous 1=Extemporaneous item, Blank Not Extemporaneous Rxltem 1 Strength The strength of the item. Example 250 mg Rxltem 1 Form The form of the item. Example Capsules, Tablets etc Rxltem 1 Directions Directions and frequency of use, in free hand or expressed in Sigs or Super Sigs Rxltem 1 Quantity Quantity Required 005257655 00 0 Rxltem 1 Repeats Number of repeats Rxltem 1 Reg24 1 Reg24 or Blank for non Reg24 Rxltem 1 Repeat frequency The repeat frequency if required express in days. Blank if not specified 005257655 27

O

N Data Type 3 Prescription Version Data Type 3 Is essentially Data Type 1 but includes additional patient information which is not printed on the prescription 00 Compression Method BZIP2 Encryption Algorithm AES (Rijndael) Cipher Mode Cipher Block Chaining Encoding Mode Base64 Key Length 128 Padding Scheme RFC 1423 0 0 Character Set ANSI Secret Key Record Structure Field Description Date Date of Prescription, format DDMMYYYY PBS 1 PBS script, Blank non PBS RPBS 1 RPBS script, Blank RPBS Authority Number Authority Number or Blank for no Authority Number Authority Approval Number Authority Approval Number or Blank for no Authority Approval Number Generic Substitution Not Permitted 1 No Generic Substitution Permitted, Blank Generic Substitution Permitted Prescriber Title Dr etc or Blank Prescriber Given Name Given Name/s Prescriber Surname Surname Prescriber Prescriber Number PBS Prescriber Number Prescriber Phone Number Phone Number including area code Prescriber Address Address Prescriber City City Suburb Prescriber Postcode Postcode Patient Title Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or Blank Patient Given Name Given Name/s Patient Surname Surname Patient Medicare Given Name Given Name/s as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Given name/s are not different from the Patient Given Name Patient Medicare Surname Name Surname as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Surname is not different from the Patient Surname Patient Phone Number Phone Number including area code 005257655 00 Rxltem 1 Form The form of the item. Example Capsules, Tablets etc Rxltem 1 Directions Directions and frequency of use, in free hand or expressed in Sigs or Super Sigs Rxltem 1 Quantity Quantity Required Rxltem 1 Repeats Number of repeats Rxltem 1 Reg24 1 Reg24 or Blank for non Reg24 Rxltem 1 Repeat frequency The repeat frequency if required express in days. Blank if not specified Rxltem 2 Item Name As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2- Item Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Other Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Extemporaneous As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Strength As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Form As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Directions As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Quantity As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Repeats As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Reg24 As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 2 Repeat frequency As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Item Name As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Item Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Other Code As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Extemporaneous As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Strength As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Form As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Directions As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Quantity As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Repeats As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Reg24 As defined in Rxltem 1 Rxltem 3 Repeat frequency As defined in Rxltem 1 005257655 0

O

OO

Patient Address Address Patient City City Suburb Patient Postcode Postcode Patient Pension Number Pension Number, or Blank Patient Pension Expiry Date Expiry date of pension, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient DVA Number Department of Veteran's Affairs Number or Blank Patient DVA Card Type G=Gold, O=Orange, W=White. Multiple codes may be specified or blank Patient DVA Expiry Date Expiry date of DVA, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient Safety Net Number Safety Net Entitlement Number or Blank Patient Medicare Number Medicare Number or Blank Patient Medicare Index Medicare line number or index or Blank Patient Medicare Expiry Medicare Card Expiry Date or blank Patient Date Of Birth Date of Birth Format DDMMYYYY Patient Sex M=Male,F=Female,U=Unknown or Unspecified or Blank Not recorded Patient Medical Condition/s Medical Condition code/s as listed in Medical Codes Table. Blank no medical conditions or 1 or more medical codes. As all Medical codes are 4 characters they are appended together.

Example 1: LACT Lactation Example 2: LACTCHYP Lactation and Hypertension Patient Other Medical Reserved for other medical condition identifiers for example ICD- Condition/s 10 Medical Conditions Classifications Rxltem 1 Item Name Item name in full including strength and form eg. ABACAVIR SULFATE TABLET. Alternatively, if the item is an extemporaneous preparation the formula of the preparation.

Rxltem 1- Item Code PBS or RPBS Code and Brand. Format 'nnnnnXbb' where 'nnnnnX' is the 5 and 1 alpha PBS or RPBS medication code and 'bb' is the brand identifier (bb) may also be blank if a brand is not specified.

Example 1: 3393NAF AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg per 5 ml, 100 mL from the manufacturer Alphapharm.

Example 2: 3393N AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg per ml, 100 mL, manufacture not specified Blank non PBS RPBS item Rxltem 1 Other Code Reserved for other item identifier either Amfac Chemdata (ACD) number, HCN (Heath Communication Network) number or EAN Article Numbering Code for the item Rxltem 1 Extemporaneous 1=Extemporaneous item, Blank Not Extemporaneous Rxltem 1 Strength The strength of the item. Example 250 mg 005257655 1 Data Type 4 Repeat Authorisation Version Data Type 4 Is essentially Data Type 2 but includes additional patient information which is not printed on the prescription 00 Compression Method BZIP2 Encryption Algorithm AES (Rijndael) Cipher Mode Cipher Block Chaining Encoding Mode Base64 Key Length 128 Padding Scheme RFC 1423 S0 Character Set ANSI Secret Key Record Structure Field Description Date Date of Prescription, format DDMMYY PBS 1 PBS script, Blank non PBS RPBS 1 RPBS script, Blank RPBS Authority Number Authority Number or Blank for no Authority Number Authority Approval Number Authority Approval Number or Blank for no Authority Approval Number Generic Substitution 1 No Generic Substitution Permitted, Blank Generic Substitution Permitted Times Dispensed Number of times dispensed Original PBS Approval Number Original PBS Approval Number Original Script Number Original Script Number Original Date Original Prescription Date, format DDMMYYYY Issuing PBS Approval Number Issuing PBS Approval Number Issuing Pharmacist Issuing Pharmacist Issuing Date Issuing Date, format DDMMYYYY Repeat Number Serial Number of this Repeat Prescriber Title Dr etc or Blank Prescriber Given Name Given Name/s Prescriber Surname Surname Prescriber Prescriber Number PBS Prescriber Number Prescriber Phone Number Phone Number including area code Prescriber Address Address 005257655 00

OO

Prescriber City City Suburb Prescriber Postcode Postcode Patient Title Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or Blank Patient Given Name Given Name/s Patient Surname Surname Patient Medicare Given Name Given Name/s as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Given name/s are not different from the Patient Given Name Patient Medicare Surname Name Surname as printed on Medicare card. Blank=Surname is not different from the Patient Surname Patient Phone Number Phone Number including area code Patient Address Address Patient City City Suburb Patient Postcode Postcode Patient Pension Number Pension Number, or Blank Patient Pension Expiry Date Expiry date of pension, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient DVA Number Department of Veteran's Affairs Number or Blank Patient DVA Card Type G=Gold, O=Orange, W=White. Multiple codes may be specified or blank Patient DVA Expiry Date Expiry date of DVA, format DDMMYYYY or Blank Patient Safety Net Number Safety Net Entitlement Number or Blank Patient Medicare Number Medicare Number or Blank Patient Medicare Index Medicare line number or index or Blank Patient Medicare Expiry Medicare Card Expiry Date or blank Patient Date Of Birth Date of Birth Format DDMMYYYY Patient Sex M=Male,F=Female,U=Unknown or Unspecified or Blank Not recorded Patient Medical Condition/s Medical Condition code/s as listed in Medical Codes Table. Blank no medical conditions or 1 or more medical codes. As all Medical codes are 4 characters they are appended together.

Example 1: LACT Lactation Example 2: LACTCHYP Lactation and Hypertension Patient Other Medical Reserved for other medical condition identifiers for example ICD- Condition/s 10 Medical Conditions Classifications Rxltem 1 Item Name Item name in full including strength and form eg. ABACAVIR SULFATE TABLET. Alternatively, if the item is an extemporaneous preparation the formula of the preparation.

Rxltem 1- Item Code PBS or RPBS Code and Brand. Format 'nnnnnXbb' where 'nnnnnX' is the 5 and 1 alpha PBS or RPBS medication code and 'bb' is the brand identifier (bb) may also be blank if a brand is not specified.

Example 1: 3393NAF AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg 005257655 00 per 5 ml, 100 mL from the manufacturer Alphapharm.

Example 2: 3393N AMOXYCILLIN Powder for syrup 250 mg per ml, 100 mL, manufacture not specified Blank non PBS RPBS item Rxltem 1 Other Code Reserved for other item identifier either Amfac Chemdata (ACD) number, HCN (Heath Communication Network) number or EAN Article Numbering Code for the item Rxltem 1 Extemporaneous 1=Extemporaneous item, Blank Not Extemporaneous Rxltem 1 Strength The strength of the item. Example 250 mg Rxltem 1 Form The form of the item. Example Capsules, Tablets etc Rxltem 1 Directions Directions and frequency of use, in free hand or expressed in Sigs or Super Sigs Rxltem 1 Quantity Quantity Required Rxltem 1 Repeats Number of repeats Rxltem 1 Reg24 1 Reg24 or Blank for non Reg24 Rxltem 1 Repeat frequency The repeat frequency if required express in days. Blank if not specified 005257655 33 0 Appendix B: Example of medical conditions that may be encoded into 0 0 prescription barcodes The table contains Medical Conditions and an associated (ACD) Amfac Chemdata Key. The condition key combination is proprietary to Cosmos and is currently in use by the Cosmos' Dispense 3 and Surefire dispense applications.

The list could be expanded to use ICD10 Medical Condition Codes The Conditions Table could obviously be varied or contain more or less conditions Medical Condition or Indication ACD Key Adrenal Gland hyperactive EAGC Adrenal Gland hypoactive EAGA Alcoholism DALC Anaemia Iron BAFE Anaemia Megaloblastic BAMB Anxiety PANX Arrythmia atrial CARA Arrythmia ventricular CARV Cardiomyopathies CCDM Cerebral Vascular Disorders NCVD Colitis DCOL Congential Enzyme Deficiency HCED Congestive Heart Failure CCHF Demyelination M.S. NMSC Depression/Mania PDPM Dermatosynovitis ACTD Diabetes Mellitus EDBM 005257655 34 cK1Diverticulitis/osis

DDVT

Epilepsies N EPI Eye Infections. inci Herpes QIN F 00 Gall Bladder HGBJ ___Gastric,Peptic Ulcer DULC Glaucoma OGLA Glomerulonephritis Acute GUGA Glomerulonephritis Chronic GUGC CIGouty Arthritis AGAR Haemorrhagic Haemnophilia BHCF Haemorrhagic Thrombocytopenia BHTC Hypertension

CHYP

Infections, Infestations SINE Interstitial Lung Disease: Fibrosis,I nterstitial Lung Dis: Fibrosis RILE Interstitial Lung Disease: Occupational,Interstitial Lung Dis: 0cc. RILO Interstitial Lung Disease: Sarcoid,Interstitial Lung Dis: Sarcoid RILS Intestinal Hypoactivity DIHO Intestinal Obstruction DINO Ischemnic Heart Disease CIH D Lactation LACT Liver Parenchymal Disease HLPD Malabsorption DMAL Muscular Disease NMSD Nutritional Disease NNUT Obstructive Airway Disease: Irreversible,Obstructive Airway Dis: Irrev. ROAI 005257655 0 l Obstructive Airway Disease: Reversible,Obstructive Airway Dis: Rev. ROAR Organic Psychoses/Dementia

PDEN

00 Osteoporosis AMBO Otitis Media YAOM Paget's Disease AMBP Pancreatitis DPCT Parkinsonism NPRK Perforated Ear Drum YEAR Pericardial Disease CPCD Peripheral Vascular Disease Large,Peripheral Vascular Dis Lge CPVL Peripheral Vascular Disease Small,Peripheral Vascular Dis Sml CCVS Photosensitivity SPHS Pregnancy PREG Psoriasis SPSO Renal Failure GURF Respiratory Failure RSPF Rheumatoid Arithritis ARAR Schizophrenia PSCH Scleroderma ACTS Significant Deafness YARD Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ACTL Thyroid Gland goitre ETGS Thyroid Gland hyperactive ETGE Thyroid Gland hypoactive ETGO Upper Respiratory Tract Infection,Upper Respiratory Tract Inf RURT 005257655 36

O

C Urinary Calculii

GURC

Urinary Tract Obstruction GUTO Valvular Heart Disease CVHD 00 Venous Disease CCVD White Cell Leukemia BWLK White Cell Lymphomas

BWLY

1O 005257655 C Appendix C: Keyless Dispensing Prescription Paths There are a number of dispensing paths depending on whether a 2D barcodes is printed on the prescription, repeat authorisation or both.

0 5 Path A: 1 Item, No Repeats, 2D Barcode on Prescription 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on prescription C 2. Application determines barcode type as new prescription 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 0 4. Application performs Prescriber matching Application performs Item matching 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 8. Application performs pricing 9. Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct Application commits data to database 11. Application prints produces the medication labels and other relevant stationery Path B: 1 Item, With Repeats, 20 Barcode on Prescription !0 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on prescription 2. Application determines barcode type as new prescription 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 4. Application performs Prescriber matching 5. Application performs Item matching 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 8. Application performs pricing 9. Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct Application commits data to database 11. Application prints produces the medication labels, repeat authorisation with 2D barcode and other relevant stationery Path C: More Than 1 Item, 2D Barcode on Prescription 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on prescription 2. Application determines barcode type as new prescription 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 4. Application performs Prescriber matching 5. Application performs Item matching 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 005257655 38 CK 8. Application performs pricing 9. Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct. Alternatively the operator may select'Deferred item', if the customer has decided not to have this item dispensed at this time.

00 10. Application commits data to database 11. Application prints produces the medication labels, repeat authorisation with 2D barcode if required and other relevant stationery 12. Steps 5 to 11 are repeated until all items are completed 0 Path D: Reg24 Item, With Repeats, 2D Barcode on Prescription 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on prescription 2. Application determines barcode type as new prescription C 5 3. Application determines from barcode data item is Reg24 4. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc Application performs Prescriber matching 6. Application performs Item matching 0 7. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 8. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 9. Application performs pricing Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct 11. Application commits data to database 12. Application prints produces the medication labels, and other relevant stationery Path E: Authority Item, 2D Barcode on Prescription 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on prescription 2. Application determines barcode type as new prescription 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 4. Application performs Prescriber matching Application performs Item matching 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 8. Application performs pricing 9. Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct 10. Application commits data to database 11. Application prints produces the medication labels, if necessary a repeat authorisation with 2D barcode and other relevant stationery 005257655 39 C Path F: Repeat from the Same Pharmacy, 2D Barcode on Repeat Authorisation 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on'Repeat Authorisation Form' 2. Application determines barcode type as repeat 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 4. Application performs Prescriber matching Application performs Item matching 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 0 0 8. Application performs pricing S9. Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug is selected The Times Dispensed is increased if the number of repeats authorised has not been exceeded 11. Application commits data to database 12. Application prints produces the medication labels, if necessary a repeat authorisation with 2D barcode and other relevant stationery Path G: Repeat from the Same Pharmacy, No 2D Barcode on Repeat Authorisation, 2D !0 Barcode on Prescription 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on prescription 2. Application determines barcode type as new script 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 4. Application performs Prescriber matching Application performs Item matching 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 8. Application performs pricing 9. Operator manually selects Repeat and completes the necessary repeat details, eg. Times Dispensed Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct 11. Application commits data to database 12. Application prints produces the medication labels, if necessary a repeat authorisation with 2D barcode and other relevant stationery Path H: Repeat From Outside Pharmacy, 2D Barcode on Repeat Authorisation 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on'Repeat Authorisation Form' 2. Application determines barcode type as repeat 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 4. Application performs Prescriber matching Application performs Item matching 005257655 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 8. Application performs pricing 9. Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct 00 10. The Times Dispensed is increased if the number of repeats authorised has not been exceeded 11. Application commits data to database 12. Application prints produces the medication labels, if necessary a repeat authorisation 0 with 2D barcode and other relevant stationery Path I: Repeat From Outside Pharmacy, No 20 Barcode on Repeat Authorisation, S Barcode on Prescription 1. Operator scans 2D barcode on prescription 2. Application determines barcode type as new script 3. Application performs patient matching, including validity checks on Entitlement Cards, Medicare Card etc 4. Application performs Prescriber matching !0 5. Application performs Item matching 6. Application performs dispensing rules check, eg. 20 day rule etc 7. Application performs relevant interaction checks to patient history and conditions 8. Application performs pricing 9. Operator manually selects Repeat and completes the necessary repeat details, eg. Times Dispensed, PBS Approval Number of authorising pharmacist Operator scans item selected to ensure specified drug is selected or if generic substitution is allowed that the drug selected is correct 11. The Times Dispensed is increased if the number of repeats authorised has not been exceeded 0 12. Application commits data to database 13. Application prints produces the medication labels, if necessary a repeat authorisation with 2D barcode and other relevant stationery

Claims (4)

1. A method of printing a prescription, comprising: 00oO a) capturing prescription information selected from the group comprising: information identifying a patient for whom the prescription is prepared; information identifying a medical practitioner issuing the prescription; and (1 information about items to be dispensed b) encoding the prescription information into a representation in the form of machine-readable indicia; and c) printing the prescription comprising the prescription information in human- readable form and the machine-readable indicia.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said encoding encodes the prescription information as a two-dimensional barcode.

3. A method of dispensing items prescribed on a prescription, the method comprising: a) receiving the prescription having printed thereon prescription information in human-readable form and also encoded in machine-readable indicia; b) scanning the machine-readable indicia to generate electronic data; c) decoding the electronic data to retrieve the prescription information, wherein the prescription data is selected from the group comprising information identifying a patient for whom the prescription is prepared; information identifying a medical practitioner issuing the prescription; and information about items to be dispensed. 005257655 42 C

4. A dispensing method according to claim 3 wherein the prescription authorises a repeat prescription, and the dispensing method further comprises: 00 encrypting prescription information relating to the repeat prescription; encoding the encrypted information into a representation in the form of machine- readable indicia; and printing a repeat authorisation comprising the prescription information in human- readable form and the machine-readable indicia. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having a computer program recorded thereon, for controlling the operation of a data processing 0 apparatus on which the program code executes to perform a method of printing a prescription, the method comprising: a) capturing prescription information selected from the group comprising: information identifying a patient for whom the prescription is prepared; information identifying a medical practitioner issuing the prescription; and information about items to be dispensed b) capturing additional information descriptive of one or more medical conditions of the patient; c) encoding the prescription information and additional information into a representation in the form of machine-readable indicia; and d) causing the prescription to be printed, the printed prescription comprising the prescription information in human-readable form and the machine-readable indicia.