The PharmaTrust MedCentre is a fully automated remote dispensing machine similar to the InstyMeds Prescription Medication Dispenser I mentioned back in October of 2009. We were evaluating the InstyMeds machine when it died a slow agonizing death during budget talks.
The idea is simple really. Load the MedCentre machine with a few hundred of the most commonly prescribed medications in ready to dispense, pre-packaged bottles, have a patient insert a prescription, or “voucher” depending on what country or state you’re in, and sit back and wait for the prescription to pop out. Just like a vending machine. Of course the patient has the option to consult a pharmacist by simply picking up a telephone attached to the machine, but I don’t assume that happens too often. Most people want their medications as quickly as possible.