An ATM for Prescriptions

While I’m not sure if machines will ever be a completely trusted way of dealing out drugs to prescription holders, Sainsbury’s supermarkets in the UK are testing out an automated express prescription machine. Prescription holders can avoid the long-line of the pharmacy to quickly scan their empty medicine bottle and slip it into an envelope which is placed inside the machine. The customer is given a receipt listing their pick-up time.

A licensed pharmacist still needs to handle the actual refilling and proper prescription verification. But once everything checks out, the pharmacist simply replaces the envelope with new medication and it’s ready for customer pick-up. At least machines aren’t doing anything physical yet, like taking our blood or anything… oh, wait.

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