Abstract: A prescription filling assistance device useful for monitoring the filling of and distribution of drugs to patients in need of the drug, while restricting access to the drug by patients for whom the drug may be contraindicated are disclosed. Also disclosed is a drug information and management system for use with the prescription filling assistance device. Methods for delivering a drug to a patient in need of the drug, while restricting access to the drug by patients for whom the drug may be contraindicated are disclosed. In some of the disclosed methods, prescriptions for the drug are filled by a pharmacy only after a computer readable storage medium has been consulted to retrieve a prescription approval code.

Abstract: Methods for delivering a drug to a patient in need of the drug, while restricting access to the drug by patients for whom the drug may be contraindicated are disclosed. The methods are of the type in which prescriptions for the drug are filled by a pharmacy only after a computer readable storage medium has been consulted to retrieve a prescription approval code. Embodiments are provided wherein the patients are assigned to risk groups based upon the risk that taking the drug will lead to an adverse side effect, and certain additional information, such as periodic surveys and diagnostic tests probative of the ongoing risk of the side effect developing are obtained before prescriptions for the drug are approved.