An interative computer request processing system. In the preferred
embodiment, the request processing system utilizes telephone and computer
equipment to accept refill requests for patient prescriptions. The system
receives information from a patient and performs prescription inquiries to
a databank to determine patient information such as the status of
prescriptions. The system remains operational whether or not interactive
communications can be achieved with the databank. If communications are
not available, the system stores the patient information. Therefore, the
system always appears to the caller to be fully operational regardless of
whether interactive communications are available. When communications are
re-established, the databank and prescription inquiries are conducted,
whereby the system validates or invalidates requests based on specified
criteria. In a preferred embodiment, the system automatically attempts to
notify a patient that the patient's request is invalid, thereby alerting
the patient that the patient's prescription has not been filled.
