Ontario set to allow medication vending machines

It could soon be a lot easier to fill a prescription in Ontario. The province's health minister is set to outline a plan to allow medications to be dispensed by vending machines.

The province's health minister, David Caplan, will introduce legislation next week that will allow special drug-dispensing machines to do the work. Caplan announced Wednesday the proposed changes to the Drug and Pharmacies Regulations Act (DPRA) and the Ontario Drug Benefit Act (ODBA), noting it's a good way to expand access to health care in the province.

"Remote drug dispensing is beginning to emerge as a viable alternative to the traditional pharmacy. We want to make it easier for patients to get the medications they need, and we want to do it in a way that ensures patient safety and is cost effective."

The machines will have a video screen that will let patients see and speak to a pharmacist in a remote location. The patient will insert their prescription slip into the machine, which will scan it and transmit the information to the pharmacist.

The patient will then pick up the phone and speak with the pharmacist, who would check to make sure the prescription is safe and appropriate. Once the request is approved, the machine will dispense the pills.

Patients can pay on site, and only have to wait five to 10 minutes for their prescription.

Officials say the machines won't stock narcotics but will have more than 200 of the most commonly prescribed drugs, including antibiotics and high blood pressure medication.

Caplan says remote dispensing would allow increased access to medication for patients, especially those in remote areas of the province, where pharmacies often don't stay open late. The technology could also potentially reduce the cost of drug distribution, he says.

As a pilot project that began in June 2008, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has two dispensing machines in use - one for out-patients and one for inpatients. They are called the PharmaTrust Med Centre dispensary, are were developed by PCA Services Inc. of Oakville, Ont.

The kiosk won't replace the need for pharmacies or pharmacists. And Caplan says the Ontario College of Pharmacists would be responsible for accrediting, monitoring and enforcing the regulatory requirements for these new types of drug dispensing systems.

The hope is to make the machines more widely available across Canada in the next year.

Comments are now closed for this story

G. Karam
said

A senior - Ottawa What happens to people that are partly deaf of partly blind? What happens when you are totally Blind/deaf? There are quite a few seniors that fall in that category. It is much better to speak to a pharmacist. They tend to guide us with our prescriptions.

notapegger
said

The only way this could be put in a good light is if it is used for more remote areas where pharmacies/ phamacisit are not reddily available otherwise this just seems absurd.

DD from ON
said

Every single prescription has to be verified by a pharmacist, so there will be no more mistakes than are currently being made. As it is stated in the article, a pharmacist will be involved in this process too. The law requires it.

Billing issues will most likely be dealt with in the same manner as they are now : by technicians.

This system will likely speed up the process of filling prescriptions, which seems to be the most common complaint in pharmacies. Technicians and pharmacists work as fast as they can. However, ther are peak periods when 20 people can show up in a short period like the lunch hour or the end of the work day. When this happens it is normal and quite reasonable to have to wait a half hour to get your meds.

This is why I usually drop off my prescription and tell the technician or pharmacist who receives it that I'll be back in an hour or later in the day (unless it truly is urgent). That way, I don't sit around waiting and it takes some pressure off the pharmacy staff.

As a side note, I worked as a pharmacy technician in several stores while I was a student, and have seen the same behaviour time after time (all of my coworkers have had similar experiences) : pharmacy customers are rude and impatient with technicians. And yet, these people work hard and are paid a low wage. There is no excuse for rudeness directed toward anyone, so the next time you get a prescription filled, think about putting on a smile or at least being civil. I'm glad it was only a part-time job, because I'll never work in a pharmacy again.

Dave in Manotick
said

This is ridiculous. It shows just what can happen when you let civil servants and politicians mingle and run amok. Pharmacists are a most vital part of the health care system and consistency in using one pharmacy, who has all your records and can see bad drug interactions, is vital to avoid deadly complications.
I can call, fax or email my prescription to my pharmacist and it is ready when I go to pick it up, not 10 minutes later.
This is a real bad idea.

Alanna, Saskatchewan
said

This may provide convenience in a remote area but i think in the long run it could be a bad idea. Yes you still can talk to a phamacist but if the person filling the vending machine has filled it wrong people will get the wrong medication.Too many possibilities for errors. To the poster who mentioned lower costs, the article said nothing about there being no dispensing fees and when you think about it they are going to have to pay someone to fill these machines so the costs may even rise in thise areas. All around a bad idea!

Ruthann
said

I understand that people are busy and don't want the hassle of travelling to the Pharmacy then waiting for their prescriptions to be filled but there has got to be a better way than this. A vending machine is great for over the counter stuff but for prescription meds even non narcotics-you need to go to a local pharmacy. Getting sick because you wouldn't go to a local pharmacy is not something to take lightly. Your health is worth the mileage.

Lora C.
said

Bob in Ottawa, if you are covered by OHIP, the govt pays on average $60 a month in fees to pharmacies for the seven presciption meds you are on. The govt could save millions it currently pays for fees (which sometimes exceeds the cost of the actual drug). It could also save big time on drug costs if it negotiates the prices for drugs dispensed through the machine directly with the drug company.
Considering the recent developments in Ontario where pharmacies and drug companies are alleged to have ripped off the ON govt of millions in generic drug rebates, it makes sense for the govt to get involved and find low cost alternative to brick and mortar pharmacies.

Susie
said

I don't think these dispensing machines are really necessary in a city environment - there is a drugstore on every block. However, they would be beneficial in a rural environment/small town setting where residents have to travel quite a distance to the nearest pharmacy. Residents in these rural communities, no matter their age have to travel to their closest pharmacy year-round - rain, shine or snow. I know having grown up in a small town how dangerous weather conditions can be and medication has to be taken on a regular basis. I think dispensing machines would be suitable if placed in the small town doctor offices and with a "control mechanism in place".

GJ
said

Scan the prescription? Heck, most times no one can read the darn things, how is a scanner going to do any better? This has to be one of the dumbest ideas I've heard yet. The government in this province is a joke!

Elizabeth, Ontario
said

Another McGuinty Liberal waste of taxpayer's money! No way will a computer dispense my medication. This is yet another totally ill-thought-out idea by a government working hard to make it look like they're working hard!

Julie - Saskatoon
said

Wow, I'm suprised that so far, only one previous poster had actually read the article before jumping to conclusions. I don't think that the main target for this innovation is for people who have three drugstores within a five block radius. It mentions "remote communities" which leads me to believe its for communities in which the residents have to drive significant distances to get their prescriptions. I, for one, will continue to fill my prescriptions where I normally do; but I see this as a very great resource for people who need it. I do worry about the "computer error", but I can't believe that they will be using the same technology as a candy vending machine. I'm sure there will be built in redundancy and error checking to eliminate any chance of dispensing the wrong pills. They wouldn't do this if they hadn't thought it through carefully.

Mike in TO
said

Great, so instead of just my bag of chips getting stuck on the end of that screw thing, now it'll be my medications too.

Henry
said

Medication vending machine is a smart idea, it is like the ATM banking machine, where you can get your medication at anytime.

AMG - BC
said

Seems Caplan has decided on this without any consultation with people at all. I trust then that he'll be taking sole responsibility for all things that go wrong.
What about a script forgery? Couldn't someone just photocopy a past prescription with maybe a date changed and then insert it into a machine? How could they tell? Also, if you go to the same pharmacist then he has a history on you.. he'd be able to tell if any new prescription is going to be a safe mix. I don't see anywhere in this article.. perhaps I missed it?.. where these prescriptions are going to cost less. Instead of paying a pharmacist, the machine will have to be paid for. Lastly, will they be stocking tamiflu?.. for those remote areas you know.
Good luck and God bless all in Ontario if this goes through. :O|

Wade
said

Some of the more advanced Hospitals have automated dispending machines. This is probably safer than having a person dispense. Your gut reaction tells you that this might be dangerous but when you see the machines they have in some hospitals the mistakes are near zero. This is a great idea!

Bad Medicine
said

A vending machine would have more personality than our local Safeway pharmacist. All she does is dispense medication without even a smile. Typical for the profession? Cheer up! Or you will be replaced by a machine.

Rick in NB
said

First of all. Why are they needed. The minister is trying to create a need. I have been to many small communities in the maritimes. Never have i seen one without a drugstore on combined drug/general store. I'm sure the posters from Ontario will agree.
So again, why the need. My dad always said follow the money. I wonder who owns PCA Services Inc. ?

Luddites!
said

Everybody is afraid of new things..... I doubt that there is any problem introduced by this system that does not already exist elsewhere. Drug addicts breaking into the machines to steal drugs? Perhaps. But no more frequently or successfully than ordinary thieves breaking into ATM machines. Computer glitches? Sure, but every computer glitch is ultimately a human glitch. One possible error might be someone erroneously stocking bin C9 with amoxicillin instead of tylenol-3's. But presumably the stocking of the machines would be done with the same care and precautions that shelves are stocked behind the pharmacist's counter. Who will investigate when Aunt Millie is given the wrong medication? Likely the same authorities that would investigate if Aunt Millie is given the wrong medication today.

Seriously, if you never accept new technology because you see nothing but danger, how do you ever drive a car or fly in an airplane?

Kevin Duska
said

Totally absurd.

Steven in Halifax
said

And another thing! Doctors are notorious for the bad handwriting. How will this machine be able to decipher what medications to dispense when even a human pharmacist can�t even read it and they have to call the doctor to confirm?

Like a previous poster stated, I'm all for new technologies, but this one just seems prone to make serious mistakes with serious consequences.

B. Kelley, Ontario
said

I wonder if most of the contributors bypass the bank machine and line up for a teller. Maybe they insist on paying for their gas at the kiosk instead of at the pump. Perhaps they automatically head to the cashier at Home Depot with one small item instead of using the self-check out. Apparently, the techno-challenged will always be with us following the creed: "If God had meant us to use computers He would have designed us with built in keyboards." Damn progress anyway!

What are you thinking!
said

This has the word BAD written all over it. What about drug interactions?. Who is in such a rush that they need there meds' RIGHT NOW.

I don't know about everyone else but if i notice my medication is getting low i can just call the pharmacy and via the automated system request a refill and by the time i get to the store its ready for me. If you have a prescription to "hand in" just have your doctor fax it it and when you get there its ready...

Who's going to refill these machines? People are going to be holding up the "drug guy" while he's filling up the machine.

STUPID!

Annoyed with stupidity!
said

This has got to be the dumbest idea someone has come up with. Can money not be put else where? Such as research for cancer, Alzheimer, MS, the list goes on and on. When filling a script at the drug store it only takes 10-15 min. What about those scans? I have scanned many things and sometimes it is hard to decipher...then what? The pharmacists guesses? or calls the physician which would make your wait at least 15 min longer. WOW good job on wasting tax payers money!

Bob In Ottawa
said

I take seven different prescriptions. I really do not need a computer foulup to endanger my health.
I for one will continue to deal face to face with a human being.

David, Aurora
said

This is the most asinine idea I have heard of. How will dispensing machines handle drug plans, repeat script refills etc. Many seniors are already reluctant to use ATM machines. What is this going to cost the taxpayers? Total waste of money.

B. Kelley, Ontario
said

Read the article. You DO have direct contact with the pharmacist in this system and the danger would be no greater than it is now where Pharmacist Assistants, not Pharmacists, are doing the majority of the actual dispensing. The big advantages lie in convenience and cost savings. With major drug chains charging well over $10 dispensing fees, the cost of drugs could be reduced and that would be particularly helpful for seniors who are frequently obtaining repeat medications. I'm all for it.

This idea will never fly!
said

This is the most ludicrous idea I have heard in a long while!
As the previous commenter alluded to, what happens when computer errors occur and the wrong medication or dosage are disbursed?
How is this any more convenient than going to the local Shoppers and waiting 10 minutes, where you would at least receive human attention?
In general I am very happy to have technology making our world a more convenient place - but when it comes to sensitive issues like health care, there needs to be face to face accountability.
In the long run I am certain people will see right through this idea and realize that in fact by the time they figure out how to use the machine, wait for the drugs to be dispensed, and process their payment that it will take much longer than going to a real pharmacy. Not to mention the fact that if more than one person is in line it will take much much longer to get your prescription than at a pharmacy because the machine will do one job at a time, whereas at a pharmacy 2-3 or more customers can be served in a 10-15 minute span.

Steven in Halifax
said

Yup, and they'll have every drug addict trying to break into these things looking for their next high.

Vancouver Girl
said

I would not use this machine at all.

Walking Man
said

This is one area of life that needs human care, not a machine. I've never heard of anything so ridiculous in my life, too much room for error. Besides, most times I get my scripts in 10 mins anyway.

Patti Cole
said

I think this is a very bad idea! When it comes to any kind of medication you need a professional looking after this not a computer! Exactly what Dr. Bradford says "who is going to be responsible for the lethal dose of medication or the wrong medication?

jason
said

this just seems dangerous.

BESS
said

I don't know if I like this brilliant idea. How many times have I put money in a vending machine for some gum and got a chocolate bar dispensed instead. At least they are easily distinguished, pills may be trickier.

I hope they have some good mechanics.

Also, I like to talk to my pharmacist in person, that way if they look a little squirelly I can run.

The Other Lowell in BC
said

And what are gaining from this. Is the next big thing drive through drug dispensing. How much in a hurry are we that we need this.

Dr. James Bradford
said

....and who is going to investigate when Aunt Millie is a fatal victim of a computer error and is given a lethal dose of a drug that she is allergic to?