The test is one of several new projects funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to overcome high prescription drug costs caused by “isolation and lack of competition” – conditions that HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said “conspire to deprive uninsured and underserved Americans of the prescription medications they need at a fair price.”

In the Spokane test, pharmacists at a central clinic will receive prescription orders via fax, then fill them using a computer link to a locked vending machine at a remote location. The technician then attaches a label to the bottle and delivers it to the patient.

Patients in need of counseling may then use video conferencing equipment to discuss their prescription with the pharmacist.

HHS officials say the system is designed to provide affordable medication to as many as 13,500 low-income and rural patients in areas underserved by community pharmacies.