Method for Renewing Medical Prescriptions

Abstract

The invention provides a method for renewing a prescription for a pharmaceutical via an electronic network. A renewal request is generated for a renewal of a prior prescription. The request is transmitted to a prescriber for review and authorization. Once an authorized renewal prescription is received from the prescriber, a dispenser is notified to fill the renewal prescription.

1 . A system for renewing a prescription for a pharmaceutical via an electronic network, the system comprising:
 a renewal server comprising:
 a processor; 
 a communications interface circuit for communicating with a prescriber and a dispenser over a network, where the dispenser comprises a pharmacy or pharmacy benefit organization; and 
 a memory comprising:
 an operating system; 
 a database comprising at least one patient profile that includes:
 an identifier of a patient; and 
 at least one prescription associated with the identifier of the patient, the at least one prescription comprising: 
  a prescribed pharmaceutical; 
  an identification of a prescriber that prescribed the prescribed pharmaceutical; 
  an expiration date of the prescription; and 
  a dispenser of the prescribed pharmaceutical; 
 
 renewal notification procedures to monitor the expiration date of the prescription by periodically determining whether a predetermined time period before the expiration date has been reached; and 
 remote access procedures to transmit a prescription renewal request for the prescribed pharmaceutical to the prescriber, to receive a prescription renewal for the prescribed pharmaceutical from the prescriber, and to transmit the prescription renewal for the prescribed pharmaceutical to the dispenser.