By Andrew Liszewski
If Ken Rosenblum has his way (I’m pretty sure that’s not him in the pic), getting a prescription filled could be as quick and easy as withdrawing money from an ATM is. He created the InstyMeds dispenser after learning there was a nationwide shortage of pharmacists which not only led to fewer pharmacies being open late at night, but longer lines as well.
Of course the InstyMeds still requires a prescription before you can make a withdrawl, but using custom software a doctor can make an InstyMeds-compatible prescription in about 10 clicks. You then take this prescription (which has a special barcode on it) to the dispenser, and the machine will automatically fill an appropriately sized bottle with the required medication, and will also print a custom label that includes instructions and warnings. Payments can be made right from the dispenser either with a credit card, or by billing your health insurance provider. While the current model of the InstyMeds only holds about 100 different drugs, apparently 45 of those drugs represent 80% of what is prescribed by doctors, so it should be able to accommodate a good majority of the people needing non-OTC medications.
