Abstract: A system and a method of securely storing, dispensing and inventorying medications using secured cabinets, a communication link and a central management server. Each cabinet has compartments to hold prescribed medical items or samples, restricts access to pre-registered users, keeps track of amount of medical items withdrawn by a user for a given patient and how much of the medical items are remaining in the compartments. Video cameras record the transactions. The user, patient and medical item information is transmitted over a communication link to a central management server which keeps records of the withdrawn medical items and corresponding information, determines when compartments of the cabinets need refilling, and provides billing information for a customer and for specific patients. The central management server is also able to keep track of samples provided in the cabinets and provide advertising on GUIs of the cabinets and in waiting areas of customers.

Abstract: An access controlled medication storage and inventory control cabinet includes a main body having an access controlled door for protecting a plurality of containers each configured to store medical items. The cabinet can further include an inventory control module configured to identify each of the medical items stored within the containers and report the same to a central control unit configured to interface with a user, provide access to the cabinet, and control the inventory control module.