Medbox, Inc. Weighs-in on FDA Evaluation of Prescription Medicine Dispensing Systems
Medbox's patented technology keeps pharmacists in the key role
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., July 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Medbox, Inc. (Pinksheets: MDBX) (www.medboxinc.com) recently offered some comments about the ongoing debate over how to implement self-service medication dispensing systems within pharmacies, and how to best maintain quality control, safety and security.
The FDA held a two-day hearing in March, where it heard from a variety of stakeholders on the public health implications of self-service prescription medicine dispensing. The purpose of the hearing was to evaluate the best ways to implement a prescription drug kiosk program "under conditions of safe use intended to ensure appropriate use by consumers, and (examine) the potential benefits and costs of this type of approach," according to Yolanda A. Fultz-Morris of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"Medication-dispensing kiosks could be the next step in the hybrid of health care and self-service," according to a recent article on SelfServiceWorld.com. Patients already use kiosks to test their blood pressure, check-in for a doctor's appointment, and learn about health problems. Now, prescription medicine dispensing systems "are the next step in user-friendly health care," the article stated.
However, in contrast to many kiosk manufacturers that are trying to enter this emerging industry, Medbox differs greatly in their approach. The Medbox Rx system does not allow patients to self-diagnose, nor does it take the pharmacist out of the process, which are two of the biggest hurdles now facing the FDA's implementation of similar technology.
The Medbox Rx is a unique system that allows pharmacists to load a customer's medicine into a secure lockbox for later retrieval. The customer can pick up their medicine at their convenience through the self-service system by swiping their authorization card and placing their index finger on a scanner. Once the patient's identity has been verified, a lockbox door opens and they can access their medicine.
The Medbox Rx system also maintains a permanent record of each operation, including a photograph of every person conducting a transaction, thereby increasing security while virtually eliminating fraud.
Because the system is designed to lighten the pharmacist's workload while increasing their capacity and enhancing the customer experience, it functions as a type of "Pharmacist's Assistant."
Other kiosk manufacturers are proposing that patients should be allowed to self-diagnose certain conditions and have the kiosk provide the medication, without ever consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
Medbox strongly opposes this idea, and believes that the best use of kiosk technology is to assist pharmacists while enhancing the customer experience by reducing wait times and increasing convenience.
About Medbox, Inc:
Medbox is a leader in the development, sales and service of automated, biometrically controlled dispensing and storage systems for medicine and merchandise. Medbox has offices throughout the world, including New York, Tokyo, Connecticut, Arizona and Toronto, and has their corporate headquarters in Los Angeles.
Medbox provides their patented systems, software and consulting services to pharmacies, urgent care centers, clinics, hospitals, and medical groups worldwide.
Medbox, Inc. is a publicly traded company, and is listed on the OTC Board, ticker symbol MDBX.
For more information on Medbox, please contact the Medbox Investor Relations Department at (800) 762-1452 or go online to www.medboxinc.com.
SOURCE Medbox, Inc.
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