Lee Health adds prescription vending machine at Cape Coral clinic

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Lee Health has partnered with Vend-Rx to install a prescription vending machine at their Convenient Care clinic on Pine Island Road.

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The vending machine stocks the top 60 to 70 medications, including antibiotics, steroids and antihistamines. When a patient visits the clinic and needs a prescription, the physician checks if the medication is available in the machine and electronically enters the prescription information into the system during the visit.

After the appointment, patients go to the machine and enter their birthday, following the on-screen prompts. The machine notifies them that a prescription is available, they swipe their credit card and the medication is dispensed at the bottom of the machine.

John Armistead, vice president of pharmacy services with Lee Health, said the machine is designed to meet a community need.

"This is not designed to replace pharmacies, but it is designed to be convenient for those acute care needs, and trying to solve it in one trip to the provider. Patients also get access to the medication to be able to go on home," Armistead said.

Since patients pay with a credit card, the medications inside the vending machine are low-cost and more affordable, Armistead said. The machine allows patients to skip the additional trip to a pharmacy when they're feeling sick.

Miriam Hernandez, who works in Cape Coral, said the convenience factor is valuable.

"That's really good for the people. It's faster, so they can buy it and go, and that's what you try to look for, something fast," Hernandez said.

Cynthia Kowalick of Cape Coral said she would use the machine to avoid long pharmacy lines.

"I would definitely try that. Otherwise, there's so many lines at Sam's and Publix, and everywhere you go, Walgreens, so I would definitely try it," Kowalick said.

The vending machine has been available for the last month. Lee Health said if the Pine Island Road location performs well and patients respond positively, they will consider installing machines at additional Convenient Care locations.